Latest project is a version of the D&RGW 6500 series ‘fishbelly’ flatcar. These were a standard gauge car around 42 ft. in length, that were fitted with higher load capacity, narrow-gauge trucks. This project started life as a simple bit of doodling, by rearranging some leftover underframes pieces from the Bachmann centre cuploa kit. The underframe scales out around 36 ft., so is a little shorter than the prototype car. I have fitted only nine stake pockets each side, as distinct from the ten pockets on the longer car. Normally, these cars would have been rivetted construction, however, I adopted the easier path of a welded car.
Basically, the underframe was built up with sides laminated from 0.030" styrene. The deck was then sheathed with a sheet of 0.030" styrene, then overlaid with 0.080" strip timber (around 80 pieces in total). This was then sanded smooth and the edges trimmed. The car was then undercoated and sprayed in grey to complement my D&RGW MOW 25 ton crane and tool car. Decals available to use are not correct for the car, but will be used to attain the required effect.
When the paint has dried, I will decal and clear coat. I will need to research weathering techniques for the timber deck, as, at present, it is in pristine condition as if just outshopped. Overall, an easy build that does have a similarity to the prototype.
Our local railways used a shorter rivetted version that was used as a tank transporter during the war and post-war years. It was also contracted out to carry heavy loads for private companies.
