Introduction
Wood Chip Loaders appear handsome straddling the rails. But did you know, much more commonly seen these days are the chip bins seen loading semi-trucks? 
Here I've snuck up on one near Coquille, Oregon, just off Oregon Route 42. I didn't get too close due to all the heavy action at this mill. But I was able to take a couple pictures from the street and a video of the conveyor from the highway, just for study. That was enough to set 3D-drafting in motion and I made several dimensional estimates, combined with some general chip bin info schematic I found online.
As I've written before, I like to PLA-weld much of what I print, and this model will be no exception. I've learned to fast-tack the parts, which considerably reduces construction time without harming the quality. In fact, because parts are aligned and then immediately connected, I feel the overall outcome is better. My favorite tool for this right now is an inexpensive variable-temperature 60-watt soldering iron:
I turn the dial this iron to it's lowest setting, which is 200C, equal to about 392F. That's hot! But it's not as much as what it takes to melt polystyrene, which is 464-500F. This is of course entirely different from what is known as a 3D printing "pen", which is a tool that actually extrudes molten PLA material. I have connected some fine details with this iron:
I overdid it along that edge, but I'm satisfied with the work toward the upper areas. Spot-welding is therefore better than attempting continuous long "welds" along the edges. Anyhow, I have four models complete, with a HO-scale kit soon be released soon now, as of 3/1/26 I am amassing printed parts and await the arrival of the packaging boxes.