Flatcar rant

[sirenwerks]

...even out the stake pocket spacing...

Are we sure it's not correct for whatever the prototype is? 

For example, having drawn an AAR 50 ton car, I know that the stake pockets are not evenly spaced.  They are riveted through to the cross members on one side of the pocket... some to the left, some to the right side.  Potentially this is correct on the MTL car.

I'm not arguing the MT car is prototypically incorrect. I'm sure there is a prototype for the car, though I haven't found it yet and perhaps Joe can shed some light on its origin. In fact, I see the MT car as a paragon of detail, a model for what other manufacturers should strive for.

What I am advocating for is a 50' car with even placement of stake pockets, riveted construction, and an end-mounted brake wheel which represents a greater number of the flatcars used by more railroads. A meaty looking car to counter the thin contemporary designs coming out. I've been pouring over photos of flats constructed from the late 30s through the 50s lately, and there are very few I have encountered that don't have an even placement of stake pockets (until you get to the end of the cars sometimes). For instance, while a 53'6" car, the LL HO Proto 2000 AAR car has even stake pocket placement, as does Athearn's HO stalwart casting. In essence, I'm asking for, gulp, a generic model like Atlas's but with MT's fine detail.

[sizemore]

Who needs a flashy paint scheme when you can put rocket launchers and helicopters on the deck? ;D

Lee

YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

[sizemore]

Joe, can you say "Runner Pack?" 

Lee

And the first roadname could be the WP!!!

I think Lee means runner packs of the WM cars...(I hope).

[sirenwerks]

I think Lee means runner packs of the WM cars...(I hope).

Sure, right after the WP release.

[sizemore]

I think Lee means runner packs of the WM cars...(I hope).

Sure, right after the WP release.

Oh so now you're on the bandwagon if they came out in WP hmmmmmmm?!?!?!

[sirenwerks]

I think Lee means runner packs of the WM cars...(I hope).

Sure, right after the WP release.

Oh so now you're on the bandwagon if they came out in WP hmmmmmmm?!?!?!

How's this for diplomacy... If it means I get the body style I want, I will gladly wait for a runner pack of WM speed lettered cars to be released, followed up by the WP cars? And of course I'm on the bandwagon for the WP cars, it's the road I set on modeling. But I'm sure WP cars showed up on the Wm, and would be well suited in Lee's 84 Lumber lot.

[asciibaron]

this is my prototype, load and all...

[sirenwerks]

Cool load, Steve. That trailer's the perfect product for Bob @ Traincat. You should send him the image. But isn't that flat a 60-footer?

[sizemore]

I think Lee means runner packs of the WM cars...(I hope).

Sure, right after the WP release.

Oh so now you're on the bandwagon if they came out in WP hmmmmmmm?!?!?!

How's this for diplomacy... If it means I get the body style I want, I will gladly wait for a runner pack of WM speed lettered cars to be released, followed up by the WP cars? And of course I'm on the bandwagon for the WP cars, it's the road I set on modeling. But I'm sure WP cars showed up on the Wm, and would be well suited in Lee's 84 Lumber lot.

Ball is in your court Joe!!!! Lee, Bryan and myself are waiting!

[Hiroe]

I'm not arguing the MT car is prototypically incorrect. I'm sure there is a prototype for the car, though I haven't found it yet and perhaps Joe can shed some light on its origin. In fact, I see the MT car as a paragon of detail, a model for what other manufacturers should strive for.

What I am advocating for is a 50' car with even placement of stake pockets, riveted construction, and an end-mounted brake wheel which represents a greater number of the flatcars used by more railroads. A meaty looking car to counter the thin contemporary designs coming out. I've been pouring over photos of flats constructed from the late 30s through the 50s lately, and there are very few I have encountered that don't have an even placement of stake pockets (until you get to the end of the cars sometimes). For instance, while a 53'6" car, the LL HO Proto 2000 AAR car has even stake pocket placement, as does Athearn's HO stalwart casting. In essence, I'm asking for, gulp, a generic model like Atlas's but with MT's fine detail.

Well, you *could* always ginsu a pair of MT decks into something that's got your preferred equal stake pocket spacing and proper brakewheel placement, then mold and cast copies of the resulting mutant. Use the copies to replace the stock plastic deck on MT cars underframes (or just make up your own), and away you go.

[wcfn100]

I get to do the trailer home load too, as they unloaded on the ramp in Waterloo.

Somewhere down the line I'll have to do this as well:



Jason

[JoeD]

Runner Pack  ;D

Actually have an RP scheduled of a car that was suggested in another thread a few weeks ago.  It'll be in the next Micro-News.  I'm not a coal guy, but the road is pretty interesting.  See...a little "Education" goes a long way.  As for new flats, yes, they are on my hot list to be worked through in September when the tooling is decided for next year. Not sure which one though...as always I lean toward SP and a nice F70-10 with the proper SP style stake pocket locations, or even an older Harriman Pressed Steel flat would be hot.  I can make that one ride extra high  ;D

Joe


Joe
MTL

Joe, can you say "Runner Pack?" 

Lee

[sizemore]

Runner Pack  ;D

Actually have an RP scheduled of a car that was suggested in another thread a few weeks ago.  It'll be in the next Micro-News.  I'm not a coal guy, but the road is pretty interesting.  See...a little "Education" goes a long way.  As for new flats, yes, they are on my hot list to be worked through in September when the tooling is decided for next year. Not sure which one though...as always I lean toward SP and a nice F70-10 with the proper SP style stake pocket locations, or even an older Harriman Pressed Steel flat would be hot.  I can make that one ride extra high  ;D

Joe


Joe
MTL

Such a tease tell me you'd do Speedscript Western Maryland Flats!

[bbussey]

... i need to do trailer flats so i feel your pain.

Everyone would have to bash those, unfortunately.

The 40' flatcar by Red Caboose is a good model, and it was released in a number of roads.

[Sokramiketes]

...even out the stake pocket spacing...

Are we sure it's not correct for whatever the prototype is? 

For example, having drawn an AAR 50 ton car, I know that the stake pockets are not evenly spaced.  They are riveted through to the cross members on one side of the pocket... some to the left, some to the right side.  Potentially this is correct on the MTL car.

I'm not arguing the MT car is prototypically incorrect. I'm sure there is a prototype for the car, though I haven't found it yet and perhaps Joe can shed some light on its origin. In fact, I see the MT car as a paragon of detail, a model for what other manufacturers should strive for.

What I am advocating for is a 50' car with even placement of stake pockets, riveted construction, and an end-mounted brake wheel which represents a greater number of the flatcars used by more railroads. A meaty looking car to counter the thin contemporary designs coming out. I've been pouring over photos of flats constructed from the late 30s through the 50s lately, and there are very few I have encountered that don't have an even placement of stake pockets (until you get to the end of the cars sometimes). For instance, while a 53'6" car, the LL HO Proto 2000 AAR car has even stake pocket placement, as does Athearn's HO stalwart casting. In essence, I'm asking for, gulp, a generic model like Atlas's but with MT's fine detail.

The LL HO Proto 2000 AAR car does not have even placement of the stake pockets, that's what I was trying to say.

Here, lets try a photo: