Large Scale Central

40 foot flats

Modeling
#1

I started a couple easy projects today. The ill-fated D&RGW 40’ wooden framed flats. Series 6300 - 6314. They were not a good choice for the Grande due to sagging, and even breaking in half. Eventually, the Grande added rails to the under frame, similar to the 30’ idler cars. These were the forerunners of the steel “fish-belly” 40’ flats. Some had bulkheads. I started out with a PNG 40’ reefer frame.

I made a jig for the 10 stake pockets per side.

I chose the new and improved PNG 4’ 8" Andrews trucks. These were prototypical on most Grande 40’ cars.

I’ll deck it next and finish adding the hardware. Pics to follow.

#2

Got 'er decked. Need to clean and even up the sides.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/40FTdeck%201.JPG)

Here’s a 30’ Idler flat I built to show a comparison.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/40FTdeck2.JPG)

#3

Looks good John. Thats a big difference between the two.

#4

I built a 40-footer many moons ago, and just dug it out of the train shed for a picture. Here it is with a 30-foot crummy for comparison.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/bob_mccown/_emailfiles/20111003_141443_532.jpg)

#5

Looking good

#6

She’s hardwared up. I don’t run my cars upside down, so I usually do minimal underneath hardware. :slight_smile: :slight_smile: Those PNG Andrews trucks look good and roll real nice. Now on to paint, decal and weathering.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/40flat3b.jpg)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/40flat3c.jpg)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jebouck/40flat3d.jpg)

#7

Looks good, John. I, too, like that amount of detail. Whose stake pockets did you use?

Nice to see those trucks improved!

#8

Bruce,
All the castings are Phil’s NG.

I will start the second 40’ flat now,
But I am going to use Rodneys 4’8" Archbar trucks and use re-inforcing rails.
I may even add bulkheads when my basswood gets here.

#9

John,

That car looks great!

#10

wonderful looking flatcar… beautiful work… :slight_smile:

#11

Nice !

#12

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/chat/emoticons/good.gif)

#13

Exceedingly fine workmanship John.

I was pleased with my bash but your work puts mine into shade. :slight_smile:

#14

Really looking good. I have a fleet of flats, but I need to figure out an industry or two for them, so I get em in the trains.

#15

Bob,
For the most part, my research pics show lumber or some kind of mechanical equipment on the flats.
(Except the oil boom in the 40’s on the Grande–it was pipes.)

Alan,
Don’t sell yourself short. Some of my stuff isn’t that great. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

I haven’t honed my skills yet with paint, decaling and weathering.
(You should see some of my rolling stock.) :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#16

Very nice, John. Great looking car with excellent detail. :slight_smile:

#17

I have two Trans-Load facilities on my railroad. Both take flats. I have no idea what gets loaded onto or taken off of them :smiley:

#18

Yea, I’m thinking Goodson’s Batteries will get flats in (sheet lead, ya know).

#19
Bob McCown said:
Really looking good. I have a fleet of flats, but I need to figure out an industry or two for them, so I get em in the trains.
Well. you know Bob, over a period of time my ideas for flats have kept changing. Some of the wonderful railroads featured on this Forum give one great inspiration. I was rather keen to get into the lumber business but found that the cherry wood and other 'logs' I had made were somewhat heavy as a load - if you hauled three or more 40ft. flat beds for instance - so the logs became a lineside feature.

A half hearted attempt at a MOW train was soon disbanded as was the idea of a Military Train a la Jerry Barnes :slight_smile:

But presently an MOW train has been formed, two flat beds being part of it and carrying earth moving equipment. One thing about garden railroading (maybe other scales as well), is that things are not static and it is good to ring the changes.

One thing is for sure: this Forum, more than others, seems to have some great modelers who give wonderful inspiration

#20

You could glue some of that basswood around a battery and haul lumber and the power source.