Scratchbuilder1-48 posted:These open frame auto carriers can be made out of laser cut aluminum and brass sheets and shapes, with tabs and slots for assembly into a 3 dimensional freight car.
You are correct , I have drawings to do just that . The catch is cost . One) brass sheet , 12inch x 24 inch will make 2 sides and 2 floors ,
two) time it takes to assemble them
three) laser time to cut out is figured by the inch , my experiment was aprox $60-$80 for cutting time for just one car (all pieces ) .
Now comes to needing a flat car , Atlas is 89ft , I found most of these real cars were 86ft . So you need to build a flat .
Another thing to consider many roads built their own racks in their shops . See below ( Santa Fe built their own racks for existing flat cars I think called F85 or something like that )
Outstanding work on the racks, Bernie. By the way, also a great job on the milling company.