Large Scale Central

Seeking Level of Interest in Flatcar Modeling Project

Modeling
#1

Hi all,

Though no stranger to model railroading (45+ years), large scale (10-12 years), or the web, I just discovered and joined LSC relatively recently. For the last several weeks I have been lurking. Though not as “busy” as some of the competing sites like MyLargeScale, one of the things I like about LSC is the group construction projects - i.e., the current EBT boxcar thread/article.

Several years ago, I became interested in building a large scale Pennsy 40’ flatcar. Though I initially envisioned building it out of basswood or microplywood, I’ve also considered using acrylic, or even building a set of three of them from brass!

I asked Bob, the LSC moderator, what interest there might be in constructing such a car for standard gauge (as most of the group projects seem to be of narrow gauge prototypes). He suggested that I start a thread to gauge possible interest .

So, what level of interest would there be in such a project? What type of materials would people be interested in using and in what scale(s)? I model in both 1:32 and 1:29 (though a 40’ car in 1:20.3 would be a hoot to build as it would be huge!).

Brian

#2

Hi Brian -

Welcome to LSC. Several of us have considered bashing a 1:20.3 flatcar from the LGB fishbelly flat. Ric Golding and I picked up a few at lats year’s ECLSTS and Bob McCown started the project, but Ric and I never got moving.

You see, we’re all EBT fans and the East Broad Top was known in it’s later years to carry standard gauge cars on narrow gauge trucks. I thought the a flat would be just the thing to pull behind my Bachmann 45 ton diesel to emphasize the correctness of it’s scale.

I’ll see if I can find Bob’s original posts on this bash and post a link in this thread.

JR

#3

The LGB Fishbelly Flat to 40’ 1:20.3 flat bash thread is here… http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=5792

#4

I would be interested in modeling a flat and even more interested in a 40’ bulkhead flat. (I don’t particularly like the Aristo one). Scale wise either 1:29, 1:20 or 1:8. My preference for working materials would be styrene, acrylic or wood. :slight_smile: I’m not too good with metals. :confused:

#5

I have thought that once the EBT narrow gauge box car was complete a conversation about a standard gauge car could be started. I’ve always wanted a standard gauge car to show the diminutive size of narrow gauge cars in comparision. A flat car with a load seems correct for that type of situation.

#6

Thank you for your comments.

Jan,

I’ve never been a big fan of kit-bashing, especially where rolling stock is concerned. There are just too many compromises that end up being made. That said, I found the LGB fishbelly flat thread interesting. I’m thinking more along the lines of a total (except trucks/couplers) scratchbuild project.

My main interest is in standard gauge mainline railroading - Pennsy and C&O, primarily. MTH has long range plans to bring out a 1:32 class H8 Allegheny as a follow up to the success of their O-scale offering - unfortunately, there is no timetable attached to this model. I would love to have a string of 100+ 55 ton coal hoppers running through my backyard while imbibing various two-carbon fragment beverages on a hot summer day!

Warren,

All materials have their disadvantages. While plastics and wood are easy to cut/shape and fit, it is far more difficult to simulate rivet detail. Sheet brass, on the other hand, makes rivet detailing relatively simple by comparison. Besides, if you’re into H gauge (1:8, or 1.5" scale) you almost have to build from steel and have decent welding skills.

Anyway, the particular prototype I have selected for a flatcar project is a Pennsy car class built starting in 1936 and lasting until about 1944. It was a basic 40’ car with a steel frame and AB brake system. While most of its class were riveted, I was able to find several dozen that were welded, thereby eliminating the need for rivet detail and making modeling that much easier. However, I have no idea if any of this class, which survived in small numbers into the 1960’s and possibly the early 70’s were ever interchanged onto the EBT - perhaps some of you could determine if interchange ever occurred with these cars: PRR FM series, numbered 473000-473764.

At the moment, I have completed dxf and corel drawings of all the parts needed to build one of these cars using 1/16" thick material in 1:32 fine scale. Converting to another scale - whether 1:29 or 1:20.3 - will not be hard, though it will take some work to compensate for material thickness (my CAD program is not parametric).

Anyway, keep your thoughts coming.

Brian

#7

Hi Brian -

Sounds like you are much further along with your thought process than I am.

As far as EBT interchange goes, to me it is not important to be historically accurate here,. “Could have been” is good enough for me. I’ve never seen evidence of any standard gauge flat interchanged with the EBT. Boxcars and gondolas were common. I’d still rather do a flat for ease of building.

Your plan also sounds like it will be much more detailed than my personal needs require. The level of detail on the EBT box car thread is more than enough for me. :slight_smile:

Jon

#8
Jon Radder said:
As far as EBT interchange goes, to me it is not important to be historically accurate here,. "Could have been" is good enough for me. I've never seen evidence of any standard gauge flat interchanged with the EBT. Boxcars and gondolas were common. I'd still rather do a flat for ease of building.

Your plan also sounds like it will be much more detailed than my personal needs require. The level of detail on the EBT box car thread is more than enough for me. :slight_smile:

Jon


Well, isn’t that the beauty of model railroading? You can do whatever you want, to any level of detail, or … not. I remember seeing a guy with a beautifully detailed HO scale UP Big Boy hauling a loooooong string of twin stacks! Worked for him, I guess.

I had actually built a version of this flatcar about 25 years ago in 1/2" scale as my first foray into large scale. I had it about 95% complete, but lost interest due to career, etc. I have no idea where that model is today. Considering that it was constructed of aircraft plywood, it probably didn’t survive. About a year ago I ran across the rough drawings I had made back then and got fired up to build the same car.

Other projects for the near-mid future include a distinctive C&O hopper - the 70-ton HT, series 100000-101999. These would be relatively easy to model as they no not have offset tops/sides, but do have the typical C&O arched end extensions. These were originally built by AC&F in their Huntington shops in 1951, so they would be appropriate to being pulled by an H8. I believe Bob has a future project for a hopper car in the works, so I probably won’t bore you folks with this car.

However, my other project is to build a 1937 AAR boxcar with dreadnaught ends. The 1937 AAR 40’ boxcar was produced in massive numbers and with a bewildering array of options and modifications. I am interested in the basic design, as accepted in June of 1936: a steel, double sheathed car with rectangular paneled steel roof, ten panel steel side sheathing, 6’ horizontally ribbed doors, 10’0" inside height with dreadnaught ends (4 over 5), and an underframe with center sill consisting of twin 12 7/8" I beams.

There are several variations that I might also be interested in: the dreadnaught ends for a 10’6" inside height (5 over 5), both Murphy and Viking roofs, and differing widths of doors (6’, 7’ and 8’) in both original and Youngstown design. (these came with 6’, 7’ and 8’ doors in various combinations). The problem has been finding good drawings of the ends: though produced by AC&F in their St. Louis shops, no one, no even the MOT in St. Louis, seems to have these drawings. Fortunately, I discovered recently that the Eastern Connecticut Railroad Museum in Willimantic has in its collections Central Vt Boxcar #54524. Though built in 1949, it was built according to the original 1937 AAR specs and has improved dreadnuaght ends. I plan to go down there later in May when they open to take some photos and measurements.

Brian

#9

I’d be interested in the flatcar project myself… always looking to add rolling stock…

#10

Bob I’m in i did’nt even to the last project yet

#11

I’m, just thinking about building three flatcars in 1:23 scale. I will be building out of wood because I run steam. I NEED FLATCARS!