A collection of various Flat Cars for reference use on your Model Railroad. We’ve added brief descriptions to each highlighting some of their unique features.
Prototype photos can be an invaluable resource when you are trying to make your Model Railroad as realistic as possible, or even just give you some ideas for equipment you want to add. They can be especially helpful as a reference for weathering your rolling stock, or if you are modelling an older time period or era.
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BULKHEAD FLAT TTPX 81023 has wood bulkheads, indicating an earlier design. Still widely used in the lumber industry, these Trailer Train lease cars show up nationwide.THIS 60 FOOT BULKHEAD FLAT CAR HAS WOODEN ENDS AND GIVES THE MODEL RAILROADER SOME GOOD IDEAS FOR COLOR VARIATIONS TO ADD TO THEIR WEATHERING EFFORTS.THIS SOUTHERN PACIFIC 50 FOOT BULKHEAD FLAT CAR IS TYPICAL OF THE EARLY BULKHEAD FLATS USED WIDELY IN THE LUMBER AND ALSO DRYWALL INDUSTRY. NOTE THE FADING WEATHERED END BOARDS ON THIS CAR.THIS 50 FOOT FLAT CAR SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO CARRY HEAVY ROLLS OF COILED STEEL HAS A SINGLE COVER. NOTE THE EXTREMELY DEEP DOUBLE SIDE FRAMES NECESSARY FOR CARRYING THE LOAD OF THESE CARS.ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A SINGLE-COVER COIL STEEL CAR. THE HOOK ON TOP IS USED BY OVERHEAD CRANES TO REMOVE THE HOOD WHICH PROTECTS THE COIL STEEL FROM THE ELEMENTS DURING TRANSPORT.THIS OLDER COIL STEEL CAR SHOWS A LITTLE BIT OF SIDE FRAME RUST AND HAS TWO COVERS ON IT. NOTE THE SLIGHTLY LESS DEEP SIDE FRAME DESIGN AS COMPARED TO THE OTHER NEWER CARS IN THIS GALLERY.THIS CENTER BEAM FLAT CAR GIVES YOU SOME GOOD IDEAS FOR ADDING LUMBER LOADS TO YOUR MODELS. IN THIS PHOTO THERE ARE THREE STACKS OF 16 FOOT LUMBER LOADS, AND AN EMPTY SPACE BETWEEN THEM.VARIETY IS KEY FOR ADDED REALISM ON YOUR MODEL RAILROAD. WHILE THE MAJORITY OF CENTER BEAM FLATS BELONG TO THE TTX LEASING COMPANY, THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF RAILROAD OWNED VARIETIES SUCH AS THIS UP CAR IN THE CLASSIC TUSCAN RED PAINT COLORTHIS PICTURE AND THE ONES ADJACENT ARE ALL OF THE TYPICAL 60 FOOT YELLOW CENTER BEAMS OWNED BY THE TRAILER TRAIN LEASING COMPANY. THESE CARS CAN SHOW UP ANYWHERE, AND AS SUCH MAKE A GREAT ADDITON TO YOUR MODEL RAILROAD.DUPLICATING THIS LUMBER LOAD ON YOUR MODEL RAILROAD WILL ADD A BIT OF VARIETY TO YOUR FLEET.HERE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A SIMPLE DETAIL, THE WHITE LUMBER TAGS, THAT WOULD ADD THAT TOUCH OF REALISM RO YOUR MODEL RAILROAD. WE HAVE AN UPCOMING ARTICLE ON HOW TO EASILY SIMULATE LUMBER LOADS JUST LIKE THIS.MODELS OF THESE MODERN CENTER BEAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL THE POPULAR MODELING SCALES, SO ADDING A FEW TO YOUR MODEL RAILROAD FLEET WILL BE NO PROBLEM.
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