Hello ! I was looking at my large sheet of .080 plastic and decided to build a new modern car for my fleet. I thought a flatcar would be cool and easy to make. Well there is more to a flatcar than meets the eye as i’m finding out . Anyway I decided to build a TTHX 64 foot car. I like the way the car sides have a busy look with all the chain anchors and such.This car carries mostly heavy equiptment and steel products from what I can see by the photo’s I was looking at. The first step was building the basic .080 plastic box . After it was built I added a “L” plastic shape where the deck meets the ends. I use MEK as my adhesive for plastic. I filled any gaps at the corners with Squadron Green body putty and sanded smooth.Then I added two strips lenghtwise down the middle of the car. Next step was to make and apply 32 side stakes out of Evergreen plastics square tubing . With that done I turned my attention to the 30 deck plates that are between the stake pockets. Each one is cut out of .080 plastic a scale 3’x9". I file out a square slot at the middle outside edge and using a pin vice with a small drill bit I make 5 dimples to simulate counter sunk bolt holes as per photos. Each one of these takes me about 15 minuites from start to finish so I better get back to the shop as I still have 20 more to do ! If I decide to do more of these cars this is one part that i’ll have to make a mold for. Anyway back to it , i’ll post more as progress continues.
hmmm, Interesting… looking nice, waiting for more…
Looks really good so far. Everyone seems to have a different approach to building cars.
Looks great Mike, Dont forget the video when finished. 
mike dorsch said:
Hello ! I was looking at my large sheet of .080 plastic and decided to build a new modern car for my fleet. I thought a flatcar would be cool and easy to make. Well there is more to a flatcar than meets the eye as i’m finding out .
Never built a flat car but I understand exactly what your saying!
Done yet
We got a new puppy last Thursday and been a crazy ride so far. One mishap with Bella after another . I had to take the poor thing to the vet 5 times in the last 4 days for (1)Warranty visits , (2) wouldn’t eat anything, (3) vomiting ,(4)ate some small foreign object and finally (5) running full speed into the C.J.and M.'s stone retaining wall. She’s a beauitful 2 and one half pound chihuahua . As of now she’s much improved and doing well. I’m glad we didn’t name her “Lucky”.
Got a little more done on the car today. I finished the 30 deck plates and mounted them with M.E.K… Now its time to build the 18 chain tie downs (I think that it is what their for) between the side stake pockets installed earlier. Each is made from Evergreen Plastics “H” channel . I lock the fitted channel into my vice with 1/8th inch sticking above the vice. Then I cut the teeth of the piece with a cutoff wheel in my dremmel tool. Afterward I use a small deburring bit and cut a slot down the middle leaving about 1/8th inch on each end. I finish the part with files. Got nine of them done and nine more to go. Here’s a few pictures of my progress. (http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/_forumfiles/IMGA0323.JPG)(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/_forumfiles/IMGA0325.JPG)(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/_forumfiles/IMGA0327.JPG)(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/_forumfiles/IMGA0328.JPG)
Heres a pic of one bank of three done. Each side has three banks of three .(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0317.JPG)
Nice detail
I made a little more progress on the car yesterday . I went to Loews and picked up a sheet of 22 guage steel 6"x24" . After cutting it to fit inside and under the car I drilled the holes and tapped them for 4-40 screws. The trucks and couplers will be mounted to this plate making the car real strong as well as giving it a low center of gravity. After gluing the plate to the car I assembled the bolsters using long 4-40 screws . The bolsters are some castings I made a while back from a gondola project . The screws go through the floor and the bolsters . I picked up a brake assembly I ordered from USA trains that go to one of their autorack cars . It needs a little tweaking to make it look like the one in the prototype photo’s . Still have a lot to do. The car is getting a real wood deck , still have grab irons to make , painting to do , etc. Its been fun so far , i’m going for the overall look so I don’t count rivets . Also ordered 2 cast metal Cat gen sets for the load . Can’t wait to see them when the brown truck gets here . Having trouble with posting pictures today , will try again later …sorry.
I got a little more done on the car recently .(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0367.JPG) The above photo shows how I mounted the couplers and trucks to the car. They are screwed to a 22 guage steel plate running the length and width of the car . Also I mounted a 1/2 " steel square tube down the middle of the car between the bolsters. (http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0368.JPG)Next I glued some 0.80 plastic to the steel tube to simulate the center beam of the car. (http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0370.JPG)And here’s the load i’m using for the car. I got two of them for this car and they will need a little mod to give them a 1/29th look. Maybe grabs on it ?
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I’ve been moving along on my flatcar build. It’s starting to take shape. I made some ribs for under the car that span from the center beam to the sides and then glued using MEK and a brush . I also mounted the air tank and regulator underneath. After that I modified the USA rachet brake assembly so I could mount it to the side of the car on a angle as per photos of the real thing. I took a 5" long piece of solid brass tube stock and pounded the ends flat so I could drill a small hole to affix the brake chain. Then I assembled the brake rigging with small chain. I also made a small roller for the chain to be guided through on its way under the car. I also made 3 “U” shaped loops for under the car to support the brake rod and chain assembly. I also built the ladder for the brake end . It’s the only ladder that pertrubes above the deck. I have the holes drilled for all the grabs but still have to bend them and install them. After all the parts are on the car I will mix up some JB Weld for rivets and apply them with a toothpick . Here’s a few pictures of my progress so far. (http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0371.JPG)(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0372.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0373.JPG)(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0374.JPG)I still have a lot of rough edges to file and some tweaking before she’s ready for paint. Speaking of paint does anyone know if these cars were painted yellow underneath as well as the sides ?
Mike. it’s looking great…
Don’t know about the paint under the flat cars, but the TTX autoracks were painted the same color yellow underneath as was the sides of the base car…
I’m sure you are right Andy, I think thats what i’ll do. They just look black cuz their real dirty and grimy underneath.
mike dorsch said:
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/todus2/IMGA0372.JPG)
The flatcar is really looking good. I also like the chain link fencing in this picture. Did you make it or buy it somewhere?
Thanks John , its been a lot of fun so far ! My wife picked them up from the Hallmark store a few years ago around x-mass time. They are cast metal and real durable . Don’t know if they are available any more .
Nice use of materials Mike!
(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/horror/scary-devil-smiley-emoticon.gif)
This car has a lot more work to go but it is starting to look like a TTHX flat . Since my last post I completed the underframe with the pipes and crossbraces etc. Then I formed out of brass wire the hand grabs and epoxied them in place. After I was satisfied all the detail parts were on it I painted it with Polly Scale TTX yellow. After the paint dried I sprayed Krylon gloss clear over the entire model so it will be ready for some decals . I’ll have to call Stan soon and get some made up. When the Krylon was dry I weathered the simulated metal parts on the deck with a chalk and alcohol process . Next I turned my attention to the deck of the car. I am cutting some 1/32" thick plywood I got from my local hobby shop into scale 1’ wide pieces and applying them with epoxy to the deck . I prestain the wood before I put them on with a chalk and alcohol mix. After the epoxy drys I go back with my drill and small drillbit and drill 4 small dimples on each board to simulate bolts. Here are a few more pictures of my progress. Anyway back to the shop to do some more deck boards .
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