Ft-T and other early ATSF TOFC

[thomasjmdavis]

Over on the "New PRR MT passenger truck" thread, I got a bit off topic discussing ATSF passenger cars converted to mail container flats, and early ATSF TOFC cars.  Turns out, our friend Peter Harris (of the British company N Scale Kits) manufactures a kit for the converted passenger cars http://nscalekits.co.uk/SantaFeMailcar.html

There seems to be a possibility of talking Peter into producing models of the Ft-T as converted in the mid 50s for TOFC service, if there is enough interest, and sufficient information/plans/photos can be found.

To kick off, here is the flatcar diagram index from the SFRHMO site- both the "a" and "b" are listed, as well as numerous other flatcars of all descriptions. http://atsfrr.net/resources/zebrowski/folio/ft-pdf/index.htm

I think I have something somewhere (old Warbonnet magazine, or MM?) on the Ft-T, but if anyone else knows the whereabouts of accessible resources, please post.

Tom D

[randgust]

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time lately looking at old ATSF piggyback photos - I'll post the book reference I've stumbled on from my library.   You are talking about the 60' steel flatcars with the big external rub-rails, correct?   I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to those. Am I reading it right though that the Ft-t was only TEN cars?

The Trix piggyback flat was a 'sorta-kinda' representation of that car, too short and clunky, but that's the only vintage one I remember with the side rails.
http://www.spookshow.net/freight/roco50tofc.html

I don't think I've ever seen any one of the Athearns with a piggyback trailer on it, but there's the rails:
http://www.spookshow.net/freight/athearn53flat.html
Same with Bachmann:  http://www.spookshow.net/freight/bachtofc.html

I'm not sure when 'modern' tie-downs with the 5th wheel were used rather than all the chains and hooks - the chain and hook era isn't represented in anything out there.

[wcfn100]

Am I reading it right though that the Ft-t was only TEN cars?

The Ft-T (F-15) was a series of about 140 cars total.  The FT-15-A and B were 20 cars rebuilt for TOFC service in 1958.  I have one shot that shows a loaded car with chain tie downs.

Jason

[thomasjmdavis]

The old Trix cars were (I think) intended to represent the even older FT-L 53'6" cars that were rebuilt in 1951 for Santa Fe's first experiments in "semi trailer loading" (as they term it on the diagram) http://atsfrr.net/resources/zebrowski/folio/ft-pdf/ft-ld.pdf.  With the conversations on the other thread about cast frames vs. riveted, I need to go down to the basement when I get home and take a closer look.  Mine are all painted black and have the same number, so there is work to do in any case.

As an aside, I learned about the Trix cars when I dropped in to Des Plaines Hobbies, and none other than the famed Charlie Vlk was packing a case with used equipment they had picked up at an auction or estate sale.  Pointed out the rub rails and I bought the only one he had, and have picked up a few more over the years.  Also had the pleasure of meeting Charlie and talking about trains for an hour. I have found a couple more of the Trix cars in the interim. My Atlas cars no longer carry trailers- never looked right anyway- not enough hardware.

[randgust]

There's a nice shot of the Ft-16's in the Santa Fe Color Guide to passenger and freight equipment.   Those were converted 44-footers in 1974, with the external rub rails.

[wcfn100]

There's a nice shot of the Ft-16's in the Santa Fe Color Guide to passenger and freight equipment.   Those were converted 44-footers in 1974, with the external rub rails.

Ft-16's date back to 1959.  The modeling article in The Warbonnet is a pretty nice one.

I'd love to see the Ft-T (15) done since I need one for tractor loading at Waterloo, IA.

Jason

[wcfn100]

On a related note, I found a reference to a Santa Fe Plan book published by Kalmbach and reprinted by someone else.  This book may have drawing of the Ft-T.  Does anyone know what this book is or better yet, have a copy to check for the drawing?  I can't find anything about this book searching on-line.

Jason

[thomasjmdavis]

Here is a shot that could be the prototype for the Trix car- 92759 from that first batch of 53' cars in 1951 (shot is dated 1956)- http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/50158/page/1

Here is another photo that I think may be the Ft-T version - http://img.kansasmemory.org/thumb500/p10160.jpg

And this one I am sure is the Ft-T- several photos I have seen show them with a 32 foot red/cream trailer on one end, with the shorter corrugated trailer behind. http://img.kansasmemory.org/thumb500/p10156.jpg

[wcfn100]

And this one I am sure is the Ft-T- several photos I have seen show them with a 32 foot red/cream trailer on one end, with the shorter corrugated trailer behind. http://img.kansasmemory.org/thumb500/p10156.jpg

Yes it is.  You can make out the stencil on the larger picture.

http://img.kansasmemory.org/p10156.jpg

Jason

[thomasjmdavis]

Some photos showing the decks of these or similar cars-
http://img.kansasmemory.org/thumb500/00387890.jpg
http://img.kansasmemory.org/thumb500/00467603.jpg

[jagged ben]

Some photos showing the decks of these or similar cars-

http://img.kansasmemory.org/00387890.jpg
http://img.kansasmemory.org/00467603.jpg

Fixed those links for ya.   

[thomasjmdavis]

The Trains index shows an article by Andy Sperandeo in the Dec. 1984 Model Railroader, on ATSF flatcars converted to TOFC.  Does anyone have a copy?  Does it contain info or drawings on the Ft-T conversions- or is it later cars?

I remember reading 2 articles years ago, one on early conversions, and one on later, but can't locate the sources anywhere in my library.  I would have sworn one of them had a drawing for the Ft-T with tie downs, and rub rails.  Anyone have a reference? There is some good info and a couple photos of early cars in the Painting and Lettering book, but no drawings or specifics on dimensions.

[Missaberoad]

The Trains index shows an article by Andy Sperandeo in the Dec. 1984 Model Railroader, on ATSF flatcars converted to TOFC.  Does anyone have a copy?  Does it contain info or drawings on the Ft-T conversions- or is it later cars?

It's a later 57' rebuilt flat... I same prototype is the basis for the Micro-Trains Model...

[prbharris]

Turns out, our friend Peter Harris (of the British company N Scale Kits) manufactures a kit for the converted passenger cars http://nscalekits.co.uk/SantaFeMailcar.html

There seems to be a possibility of talking Peter into producing models of the Ft-T as converted in the mid 50s for TOFC service, if there is enough interest, and sufficient information/plans/photos can be found Tom D

Thanks Tom and subsequent posters. It appears that these conversions were wooden deck floored, and not open with a small areas of nailable steel like the Southern cars were [also converted from older cars for ToFC service]. Thanks so far - please keep me informed.

Peter

Peter Harris
N Scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com