Large Scale Central

Building an LSC 17th Anniversary Boxcar

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

Way back in 2009, I bought a few AMS flatcars from Ridge Road Station for the ridiculous low price of $30 each.

I’m not particularly fond of flatcars, but I couldn’t resist the price - less than couplers and trucks would cost me! And the underframe is done! I’ve used a few of these already to make some ventilated boxcars, but I have some left.

Seems like a good starting point for a LSC 17th Anniversary boxcar.

Sure, it’s a bit dusty, but it’s been on the shelf for 8 years.

First order of business is to strip off the stuff I might want to use later.

I also strip off the stake pockets, but they don’t come off clean at all. No matter; I don’t really want them anyway.

After I remove the good stuff, I run it through the table saw to narrow it down a bit in preparation from some laser cut siding from Ozark Miniatures.

The AMS flatcars are notorious for bowing. Here I’ve clamped a piece of wood to one end so you can see how bowed they are. Looks like mine did NOT escape the problem.

I will be straightening them when I glue the siding in place.

ARTICLE: A Master Index for the J&B RR
#2

Bruce

Why not model and old sagging boxcar?

#3

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Bruce

Why not model and old sagging boxcar?

It’s sagging the wrong way. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)Plus, this is for LSC! It can’t be old and sagging?

#4

Bruce Chandler said:

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Bruce

Why not model and old sagging boxcar?

It’s sagging the wrong way. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)Plus, this is for LSC! It can’t be old and sagging?

Why not? Most of us are (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

#5

Jon Radder said:

Bruce Chandler said:

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Bruce

Why not model and old sagging boxcar?

It’s sagging the wrong way. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)Plus, this is for LSC! It can’t be old and sagging?

Why not? Most of us are (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

Hey! Now, be nice! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

I resemble that remark. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

#6

Started working on the sides. I cut the siding to length, and then cut to height with a 10 degree slope up towards the center of the car.

Glue and clamp in place for a few days to let the glue cure. Then on to the next side.

Good thing I’m not in a hurry. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif)

#7

Nice clamps… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)

#8

Andy Clarke said:

Nice clamps… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)

I think he needs more.

#9

Bruce Chandler said:

Started working on the sides. I cut the siding to length, and then cut to height with a 10 degree slope up towards the center of the car.

Why 10 degrees?

#10

" Rooster " said:

Bruce Chandler said:

Started working on the sides. I cut the siding to length, and then cut to height with a 10 degree slope up towards the center of the car.

Why 10 degrees?

11 seemed too much? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

I got some roof walk supports from Ozark. It LOOKS like 10 degrees may be the slope I need for them to fit… That, and it’s a nice round number.

#11

Now we have “clamp envy”?

#12

Lou Luczu said:

Now we have “clamp envy”?

Hehe…and that’s about 1/10 of my clamps…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

#13

Bruce, Re: flatcar bowing.

A few years ago I dealt with an AMS flatcar by sitting it over the heat vent and weighting it. When I finished, it was flat but I’d done a number on the bolster.

Turned out the problem is the truss rods, which are too tight. Solution is to remove the bolsters BEFORE attempting to flatten it.

I haven’t tried to lengthen the truss rods and just leave it, which is easy to do (they are threaded in the center, tho not opposite threads so you have to remove it to lengthen them!) I suspect removing the truss rods, adding a weight and leaving it in the sun would work. Just make sure there is something in the center to support it when it sags.

my-not-so-flat-car.html

#14

Couldn’t you just loosen the truss rods fat each end?

#15

Bruce Chandler said:

Couldn’t you just loosen the truss rods fat each end?

Fat ?

The truss rods are hooked under the bolster, so to loosen it you have to take one bolster off, unscrew the truss rods from the turnbuckle by 1/8" approx, and then reassemble. I do not know if that will un-bow the flatcar on its own - try it.

#16

Pete Thornton said:

Bruce Chandler said:

Couldn’t you just loosen the truss rods fat each end?

Fat ?

The truss rods are hooked under the bolster, so to loosen it you have to take one bolster off, unscrew the truss rods from the turnbuckle by 1/8" approx, and then reassemble. I do not know if that will un-bow the flatcar on its own - try it.

Yeah, don’t try to post with a phone with auto correct…

The nuts on each end can be loosened. I’m thinking that maybe the flat car bows because I loosen the rods…

#17

Yogi Berra once said: “it ain’t over till the flat car bows”

#18

" Rooster " said:

Yogi Berra once said: “it ain’t over till the flat car bows”

Eh, I’m pretty sure he really said “If Ridge Road Station has a sale, take it.”

#19

Berra might have also said, “It ain’t clamped till there’s no more clamps.”

#20

Bruce

This would resemble myself and I’m sure some more!

Good job on this car…

Can’t wait to see yours!