1:50 Scale Model Caterpillar 784C with Towhaul RGS-225

Presented here is the 1:50th scale Caterpillar 784C prime mover with Towhaul RGS-225 lowboy trailer. The first towhaul trailer was produced in 1990 and today, the trailer is in use in mines throughout the world. The unique design of the gooseneck allows connecting / disconnecting of the trailer in about 90 seconds thanks to the grab hook design, even if the ground is not level. The RGS-225 has a capacity to transport machinery up to 250 tons in weight.

The front of the model has a textured cooling grill and access steps rising across the front of the engine bay. The bumper has four work lights with painted lenses along with accurately scaled metal safety railings and access steps. The casting even caters for the front mud flaps which have been painted on to give a realistic look. The front safety railings on the model are made of metal and there is a hinge on one of the cross sections which allow it to swing open to access the top deck from the vertical ladder, as is found on the 785D mining truck.

The front of the model has a textured cooling grill and access steps rising across the front of the engine bay. The bumper has four work lights with painted lenses along with accurately scaled metal safety railings and access steps. The casting even caters for the front mud flaps which have been painted on to give a realistic look. The front safety railings on the model are made of metal and there is a hinge on one of the cross sections which allow it to swing open to access the top deck from the vertical ladder, as is found on the 785D mining truck.

The upper deck has several components fitted including filtration units and cylinder. The side mounted mirror is hinged and can be positioned in the folded or extended position. The large mirror fitted to the drivers side has a silver painted surface to simulate a reflective mirror and is fixed in place.

The cab interior has been replicated with steering wheel and drivers seat visible through the clear windows. Grab rails have been added to the cab frame, both at the front and across the rear of the cab and the casting has crisp door frame detailing.

The rear of the chassis has a frame with two stiff hydraulic cylinders which are used to raise the gooseneck during loading / unloading of the trailer and these are functional on the model and have flexible plastic hoses fitted which travel to the hydraulic distribution system mounted between the fuel / hydraulic tanks. The trucks frame has work lights with painted lenses fitted at a crossing 45 degree angle to give good coverage of the gooseneck area during poor lighting conditions to ensure a quick link up. Hydraulic hosing is also present on the gooseneck to the large lift cylinders and also to flexible piping which connects to the trailer once connected up.

 The trailer is very wide allowing a number of display possibilities including dozers, trucks, shovels and wheel loaders to be positioned on the bed surface. The length of the trailer allows for the Caterpillar 994F or Letourneau L1850 to be displayed perfectly as these two models are at the top weight limit for the trailer.

The rear of the trailer has a visible frame section with support bars and cast towing loops along with four large, flexible rubber mud guards. The panels over the rear wheels have lift up front covers along with cast steps on the central structure and rear facing brake and indicator lights are visible.

The four large wheels at the rear of the trailer have a detailed tread pattern with yellow wheel hubs which have accurately cast surface detailing.

The access ladders on each side of the trailer bed have accurately scaled black grab rails and tie down shackle detailing has been cast into the side frames of the bed

The front of the bed has a ramp with raised bars cast into the surface for added traction for loading or unloading machinery.

The main hook bar is cast into the trailer frame and this is where the gooseneck hooks connect to raise the bed off the ground

The wooden bed panels on the trailer are made from plastic with simulated wood texturing

There is an additional metal plate fitted under the ramp for added strength and the small panel cast into the side of the ramp has fine tampo printed text which is almost readable.

The 785D mining truck also looks good as a load but the trailer is not usually used for transporting haul trucks. On the real machine, the gooseneck can be used for towing stranded haul trucks but this ability is not modelled on the RGS-225 which is slightly dissapointing.

The Caterpillar 994F wheel loader is about the largest model that can be realistically transported on the RGS-225 trailer and makes a very good combination.

One dissapointing aspect on the model is that there is no engine detailing. This is not much of an issue on the 785D as the dump bed covers most of the rear chassis but on the towhaul there is nothing present to obscure the engine area and it is a shame that Norscot could not have added a moulded engine block. Having said that, the model is very large and impressive and looks great with a load on the bed and it is good to see that Norscot are looking to work with other companies to extend the range of models produced. Hopefully, Norscot will consider other trailer designs which can be used with the 784C prime mover including bottom dump trailers and water bowsers.

The packaging that the model arrives in is massive with a large amount of space around the model. This should allow the model to arrive in perfect condition but the shear size will be a headacke to model dealers who have to ship them to customers. 

 The inner packaging consists of moulded clear plastic which follows the contours of the model. Wire ties are used to secure the model to the cardboard base and the sturdy cardboard box has an open front and top window. The model is available from the towhaul online shop in a towhaul printed box or can be ordered from all Norscot model dealers in a Caterpillar printed box.

When the gooseneck is connected to the trailer, the two main hydraulic lift cylinders are not stiff enough to hold the trailer in a raised position and because of this, the gooseneck frame catches on the rear wheels of the 784C tractor. (Shown left in the lowered position)

I originally reported this as a dissapointment and yet it would appear that Norscot have provided a solution to this. In the box, there is an instruction sheet which details how to secure the trailer in the raised position.

This instruction sheet was missing from the sample model reviewed here and i would like to thank fellow collector Rick Scoville for pointing this out.

Keeping the gooseneck in the raised position is achieved by removing the plastic support piece which is fitted on the underside of the trailer between the rear wheels.

Once the gooseneck is connected and raised, this support piece clips onto the pistons (Shown on the left), keeping them extended and allowing the gooseneck frame to remain in the raised position which allows the frame to clear the rear wheels of the 784C, allowing full articulation between tractor and trailer.

Source: MINIATURE CONSTRUCTION WORLD