Large Scale Central

New Flat Car for the Little River RR

Modeling
#1

This was a fun build.It is a 30 foot logging flat in 1:20.3 scale. I used “bits” salvaged from an old junked B.mann Big Hauler flat car given to me by my model RR friend Bill.

I never turn down anything “free” in large scale. I used 5/8" poplar wood for the frame and steel strap iron from Lowes for weight. The deck was built up using cut down tongue depressors (craft sticks).

The wood was stained with alcohol and india ink. The small plastic bits were painted with acrylics, weathered and attached with Super Glue.

Metal wire was bent to form the coupler lift bars and some of the grabs.

I have always enjoyed this prototype picture from the Little River RR:

I am hopeful my model captures some of the spirit of hard working wooden flats doing the heroic work of moving the timber.

Thanks for looking. Tom

#2

Tom That looks great. I love when you ad wood to plastic.

#3

Nice!!

#4

Your new/old flat car looks great all beat to heck and well worn. You did capture the spirit of sweat and dirt in your recreated photo scene.
Cool.

#5

Well done, Tom!

#6

Very nice. What kind of metal wire do you use for your grabs and lift bars? I’ve experimented with a few types. Seems that if it’s soft enough to bend easily it won’t hold it’s shape in use. The thinner brass rod seems about right to me.

#7

Just to make life a little easier for you …most freigh cars only had the cut lever to one side…generally to the left at that…so saves ya from having to bend a uniform cutlever all the way across like on on locomotive…I know from experience what a pain that is…

Large fish hooks and small cotter pins make great brackets for cut levers depending on the size wire ya use for them…

#8

Thanks guys for the positive affirmations.It is appreciated.

Jon: I used a thin reinforcing wire I found at Lowes for use in tying together re-bar in concrete projects. I agree the brass rod would probably be better as the wire I used is a bit malleable.

Bart: Good information. I did a “one side” cut lever on the first B.mann flat car bash I did…but did not think that was prototypical. Now I know better. Thanks for the info.

Tom

#9

Tom,

Very nice build, but incomplete. You need chains to hold those timbers down man! :wink:

#10

Joe Zullo said:

Tom,

Very nice build, but incomplete. You need chains to hold those timbers down man! :wink:

You are right about that!! Trying to figure a cheap way to get scale logging chains for my fleet of 5 logging flats.

Tom

#11

Cheap chains

Try a dollar store for jewelry necklaces.

#12

Nice work Doc.

#13

Great looking flat car. Looks right at home with the log load.

#14

Don Howard said:

Cheap chains

Try a dollar store for jewelry necklaces.

Good idea. Maybe some type of simple latch or magnet to make them removable when the logs are dumped. The creative juices are flowing.

Tom

#15

As always …nice work Doc!

#16

Tom Grabenstein said:

Don Howard said:

Cheap chains

Try a dollar store for jewelry necklaces.

Good idea. Maybe some type of simple latch or magnet to make them removable when the logs are dumped. The creative juices are flowing.

Tom

Take a magnet with you…a lot of the cheaper chains are NOT brass and will serve your purpose well.

(http://jbrr.com/assets/images/IMG_5230w.JPG)

It’s what I used: http://jbrr.com/html/securing_logs.html

#17

Bruce Chandler said:

Tom Grabenstein said:

Don Howard said:

Cheap chains

Try a dollar store for jewelry necklaces.

Good idea. Maybe some type of simple latch or magnet to make them removable when the logs are dumped. The creative juices are flowing.

Tom

Take a magnet with you…a lot of the cheaper chains are NOT brass and will serve your purpose well.

(http://jbrr.com/assets/images/IMG_5230w.JPG)

It’s what I used: http://jbrr.com/html/securing_logs.html

Bruce,

This idea is perfect!! I have printed your very good concise article and this is the way I will go in creating some log chains for my flats. Part of my operations will be loading and loading the log flats and removable log chains are a must.

Thank you for sharing this wisdom.

Tom

#18

Hi Tom,

Ozark makes hooks for log chains you may want to check them out. A good source for log chain is chain used in repairing and making roseries, you can find it on line.

Chuck

#19

Chuck Cole said:

Hi Tom,

Ozark makes hooks for log chains you may want to check them out. A good source for log chain is chain used in repairing and making roseries, you can find it on line.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck. More good advice!! My wife runs the local Catholic Church gift shop…plenty of rosaries and rosary repairs there.

Tom

#20

Hey Doc Tom,

Nice work!

Bruce, your statement “Take a magnet with you…a lot of the cheaper chains are NOT brass and will serve your purpose well.” Next thing you’ll be saying is that 14K Gold isn’t magnetic. You could ruin a lot of relationships, spreading such mis-information.