Flat car options

Model Railroader Archives has plenty of great articles on scratchbuilding them... I'd say try there for a start.

The only other option I can think of that's practical at the moment would be search around online for blueprints. 

If you can make the trip, I think you might want to try what's called the "March Meet" in Chicago, where everyone who's anyone in O Scale gets together to sell  model trains. P&D, House of Duddy, Mullet River, George Kohs & Company & many, many more...and its ALL 2 rail, Even Proto 48 is starting to show up there. Parts, structures, trackwork, signals, and *cue holy grail music* reference volumes...

Case in point: 

I found the official Pullman Standard Library Volume that pertains to CNWs 400 fleet from 1940 to 1958s bi-level coaches in commuter service.

I make the trip to the March Meet every year. And if you can't get to Chicago, look for local train conventions that suit your needs.

Hope I helped you.

Keep your eyes posted on eBay for a Red Caboose 42' flat car kit.  They build into a nice model that is fairly accurate.

Michael Rahilly

Eastampton, NJ

Thank you Michael, what about their 40' version?

----any others suggestions?

These are the ones on my road.  Pacific Limited Soo Line 53' 6" flat (PL-2650), Car Works PRR FM 40' flat, Yoder PRR 30' F32 gun flats, Merl Faber NKP 50' flat & 52' UP flat (nice factory painted body kits similar to Lobaugh).  Your best bet for a nice "standard" 42'  flat are the Red Caboose kits - many road names and a load will add necessary weight to a light car

Brad,

RC did only one flat car kit.  I believe it is the USRA 42' design, but I could be mistaken.

Michael Rahilly

Eastampton, NJ

In Brass:

Rich Yoder PRR F22
Car Works PRR FM
Pacific Limited 53'6" car
don't know what prototype the PL 40' car is.  Might be USRA, and has K brakes.

In plastic:

Red Caboose 42' flat, both kit and RTR.  I believe it accurately does both a B&O and NYC car.

In Resin:

Chooch 53'6" Pullman flat car.  Beautiful but expensive to find.

They only made one car.   Actually a 42' car.

Btad,

There may be some confusion as to the length; 42' I believe to be correct.  But Red Caboose definitely did only one kit.. I was a dealer.  Hope this helps.

Michael Rahilly

Eastampton, NJ

I suspect typo...  haven't been on the RC web site for a while but they do have some cars listed therer.  I do have 4 of the RTR cars and they are labeled 42' cars. 

Rob is correct - RC only made one length flat- 42'.  It's not unusual for eBay listings (or a box label) to be  incorrect.

In O scale you'll need some patience to find what you want - but you will find it.  I recommend going to meets like Chicago Mid-west, O Scale West, O Scale Nationals, Strasburg, and Indy.  Over time virtually all the mentioned flats show up on dealer tables, in estate sales, and on eBay. 

Good hunting!

Ed Rappe

And of course we could use a nice PRR F30 in O scale. 

You're right, forgot about the PS4's 50 foot cars Dave.  They are accurate cars and there is June 1999 Mainline Modeler Magazine.    Their only problem is that they were only used by a few roads and IIRC they were introduced in the mid 50's.  The 40 foot cars I believe are the same cars as the PL and Red Caboose "USRA" cars. 

I second (or third) Dave's recommendation of the Lionel 40' flat car.  The 52 1/2 foot PS-4 is a post war design.  The 40 footer is of an older prototype.  It is diecast with a lazer cut wood deck.  Be advised that if you buy a car with a load that there are holes in the deck if the load is removed.  They are definitely worth a trip to Eastside look at.

While you are there take a look at the MTH 41 foot flat car. They are designed for easy conversion to Kadees.  Get a pair of MTH two rail trucks and you are in business.  While they have a plastic body they weight about as much as the Lionel 40 foot cars.

I know you are loathe to buy a ready to run car at a moderate price that is also a crisply decorated nice model but you really should give these a look.  They're good models and a good value. 

Does the Lionel 40' die cast flat have a prototype?  Wire hand grabs?

Rob - thanks for the ref to Mainline Modeler.  I pulled the issue and it had info on which roads had PS-4 flats and when they were built. 

BM had 90 built in 3-57

Oliver Mining had 3 Built in 4-57

Union Railroad (UR) 40 built in 4-57

NYC had 200 built in 4-60

P&LE had 100 built in 4-60  

WP had 50 56' flats built in 6-55, 10 of which were modified in 9-55 for two trailer TOFC service. Wonder if the added length was associated with a cushion underframe.

The Lionel PS-4 is a nice looking model - but unfortunately too late for my era

Ed Rappe

Don't forget the Wiseman resin kit for the SP 53' 6" flat.  It has been awhile since I looked at the kit, but it looks like it will build into a very nice car.

ChipR

I just purchased a red caboose nkp model; here is the link for a 40'

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321049143827?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

There are 2 cars available from Berkshire Valley also. Nice affordable urethane kits too.

Tom Mapes

One prototypical flat car that has not been mentioned is Chooch kit #3211, 40 ft standard fishbelly (underframe) flat car. The kit instructions include the drawings for a NC&StL flat car that appeared in the 1928, 1931 and 1937 CBCycs. The 1931 CBCyc is also available as Train Shed Cycs 3, 46 and 48. Flat cars are in Train Shed Cyc 46. I lettered my car for SP&S based on a photo and built a lumber load based on photos and the Jack Work article in the Feb 57 MR.

These were produced quite a while ago, but as Ed Rappe said if you're patient you will find it eventually.

Larry Kline

Here is the Wiseman 53' flat car kit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/O-SCAL...;hash=item2310af2e87

If you would like to try your hand at working with brass, Gilmaur has a kit for a 40' class F-50-4 flat car used on the SP and UP.  See attached photos.

Last time I was at the Chicago March Meet, Wiseman had his flat car on display there.  Looked pretty good.

Charlie

Don't forget Weaver offers a 40' fish belly flat car.

http://www.weavermodels.com/page50.html

And a 50' flat car.

http://www.weavermodels.com/page21.html

and both are made in the USA.

If you are into kit bashing or dressing up plastic cars, AHM had a 40' flat car that was a good starting point.  They are available at shows on the cheap usually.

Greg