Large Scale Central

Tyco Skid Flatcar Build

Modeling
#1

When I was a kid I had a set similar to this one… .

. My goal is to complete this set in “G”. This is not an exact copy but I want the “feel” of the original. My set was a Burlington freight with a 6-wheeled truck Diesel (Alco I think), a California Chief wood boxcar, Texaco Tanker, Western Maryland “skid” flat, GN flat, Monon hopper, and a caboose. It was a BIG set for its day. I have a USA SD-40-2, USA caboose, USA California Chief Wood boxcar, and a USA Texaco tanker that I plan to use “as-is”. First on my build list is the “easy” one…The skid flat… .

.

#2

I found this on ebay for a good price… .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_1.jpg)

. I added the metal wheels (the polished nickel reminds me of the “toy” HO wheels). First thing I noticed when I removed the load was the floor is not continuos and there are a number of “protrusions” that hold the load in place. So first we filled in the base and sawed/sanded off the “pins”. .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_2.jpg)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_3.jpg)

. .040" styrene was a near “flush-fit”. Then I added a sheet of .040" to level off the surface followd by capping the sides with .125" angle to tidy up the edge. .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_4.jpg)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_5.jpg)

#3

Next I added the “frame” for the culvert sections. To hold them in place I added a couple of strips of .125" angle to act as blocks…I then added some small “end blocks” for each pipe section per the original. .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_6.jpg)

. Of course I needed sections of culvert, a quick trip to the local electrical supply store… .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_8.jpg)

#4

The “PROTOTYPE”… .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/Pipe_Load_Flat-1.jpg)

. The “MODEL”… .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/V8_7.jpg)

#5

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/chat/emoticons/good.gif)

#6

Next up…The coil load on a long GN flat. I have a jump on it but ran out of syrene! .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/Coil_Flat_1.jpg)

#7

Those aren’t “coils”, those are size 420 communication cable reels. During shipping they have wooden lags around the outside to keep the cable from being damaged. Just a FYI…:wink:

#8
Ken Brunt said:
Those aren't "coils", those are size 420 communication cable reels. During shipping they have wooden lags around the outside to keep the cable from being damaged. Just a FYI......;)
Oops, brain fart. I am using "v-groove" to copy the lags. Maybe I'll do a 'modern' version with fiber-optic cable. :D

I’m a little bummed I can’t paint until spring, temps barely in the double digits for some time to come!

#9
Mark V said:
Ken Brunt said:
Those aren't "coils", those are size 420 communication cable reels. During shipping they have wooden lags around the outside to keep the cable from being damaged. Just a FYI......;)
Oops, brain fart. I am using "v-groove" to copy the lags. Maybe I'll do a 'modern' version with fiber-optic cable. :D
If you make fiber reels, you can make a lot more. Fiber comes on reels half that size and smaller. Smaller reels are usually made of wood. The fiber cable is protected with sheets of card board banded with metal or nylon strips.
#10

Very Nice Mark!!! I have thought about doing something like this to replicate a set I got when I was little. It had this same Western Maryland flatcar, but instead of a culvert load it had 3 bulldozers on it, 1 red, 1 orange, and 1 gray. Look forward to seeing your set when finished!

#11

DONE!!! .

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/Skid_Flat10.jpg)

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/Skid_Flat11.jpg)

. It “feels” like my old HO car.

#12

Nice… Are the pipes removable?

#13

Indeed they are. Just a quick and fun project to re-live a bit of childhood. One more car to go, then order some dry-transfers to give them proper markings.

#14

Very Nice Mark! Just like the Ho model! What color did you use to paint it?

#15

Our local government railways used a similar car to transport military tanks. The car was also contracted out for other heavy loads as required.

#16
Aaron Loyet said:
Very Nice Mark! Just like the Ho model! What color did you use to paint it?
Thanks Aaron, it isn't a perfect match but I am happy it captured the original as I remembered it!

The color is Rustoleum Spruce Green, satin finish. I think it is very close to the original Tyco color.

The Great Northern flat with cable load is next!

#17

I like it! I had that same pipe car and another that had tractors on it. I also had a building that had a bulldozer next to it and when the train parked next to it you would push a button and the dozer would move up and the blade moved forward to push a pipe off the car.
I have thought about recreating my first HO train set a very green Penn Central engine the pipe and tractor cars and a very orange NH boxcar. The only reason why I haven’t is the large scale sure takes up alot more room than the HO.
After the coil car is done you might need ot consider the building with the dozer to push the pipes off.
happy RRing

#18

Nice job… looks great… :slight_smile:

#19
Mark V said:
Aaron Loyet said:
Very Nice Mark! Just like the Ho model! What color did you use to paint it?
Thanks Aaron, it isn't a perfect match but I am happy it captured the original as I remembered it!

The color is Rustoleum Spruce Green, satin finish. I think it is very close to the original Tyco color.

The Great Northern flat with cable load is next!


Thanks Mark!

#20

And this one finished…

Markings are custom decals provided by the one and only Stan C.

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/LSC/DSCF6933_zps02cf4a6b.jpg)