The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[packers#1]

Raleigh's on our Top 5 After Colorado list for sure! Tim's #2 choice behind Penn State for college was NC State. Maybe his old man had somethin' to do with that...

Not that northern engineering school, although I guess it’s not a textile row rivalry without other teams to be rivals with after all!

[davefoxx]

One of the current projects that I’m working on is to add a TOFC ramp in Aberdeen.  The prototype didn’t have one here, but there is precedent for a Seaboard TOFC ramp made from an old flatcar.  From the recent issue of Lines South (the ACL & SAL HS’s quarterly magazine):



So, I bought an Athearn flatcar decorated for the Seaboard and removed one coupler and truck.  That end, like the prototype, is supported by ties.  I’ve cobbled up the guardrails out of styrene, and a Details West bridge plate should arrive in the mail tomorrow.  I just tucked this siding into some dead space I had between the aisle and the existing tracks, and I built up the approach for the trucks, which needs one final coat of unsanded grout for the dirt road.  I only hoped for two flatcars in the siding, but it’ll hold three 50’ flats or two 89’ flatcars.



Once I get that bridge plate, then it’ll be time for the paint shop and weathering.  Another reason to get that bridge plate installed is because it’s really difficult to keep those Duke Boys away.



DFF

[mcjaco]

 Another reason to get that bridge plate installed is because it’s really difficult to keep those Duke Boys away.

Hey, they're just making their way.  The only way they know how.

[Dave V]

That is a really neat, obscure prototype! Ed's Law once again at work...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One of the current projects that I’m working on is to add a TOFC ramp in Aberdeen.  The prototype didn’t have one here, but there is precedent for a Seaboard TOFC ramp made from an old flatcar.  From the recent issue of Lines South (the ACL & SAL HS’s quarterly magazine):

Ha! As I started reading your post I immediately started thinking "I bet he recently read that article..." and then there's the photo!

[Philip H]

The Louisiana & Delta had a similar ramp at Schrievner, LA for along time.  I took pictures of it when I was working Deep Water Horizon out of Houma, but darned if I  know where they are. Google has this image of it:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGiZqGX9v8NYZ5TS7

[davefoxx]

Hey, they're just making their way.  The only way they know how.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[basementcalling]

The Louisiana & Delta had a similar ramp at Schrievner, LA for along time.  I took pictures of it when I was working Deep Water Horizon out of Houma, but darned if I  know where they are. Google has this image of it:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGiZqGX9v8NYZ5TS7

Who played you in the movie?

[davefoxx]

The bridge plates arrived, so I have all of the parts needed to finish this project.  Hilariously, how old do you think these Details West parts are?  Check out the faded packaging. 😆



DFF

[nickelplate759]

When did bridge plates first become common?  Early 1960s?

[davefoxx]

When did bridge plates first become common?  Early 1960s?

At least back in the mid-1950s, if not earlier.

DFF

[davefoxx]

All of the detail parts and the wood deck of the flat car received a coat of gray primer as the base for the weathering.  I’m not sure what color I’ll paint the bridge plate, considering there’s a zero percent probability that I have any paint that even comes close to whatever the Seaboard flat car is.



DFF

[davefoxx]

This morning, I took an Atlas track saw and roughed up the deck, to add wood grain, aging, and damage.  I’ll do the same to the guardrails (not shown here) and then start the paint and washes to get the old wood look.  The washes will bring out the wood grain.

I didn’t go any heavier than this, because I model several different eras on the layout.  The car shows a service date in Jacksonville, Florida, in June 1967, so when I’m running the late SAL or early SCL eras, the car’s deck would not yet be decrepit.  I also figure that a deck refurbishment could have occurred when the flat car was converted to the TOFC ramp.



DFF

[davefoxx]

More overall weathering of the TOFC ramp.  I still need to paint the bridge plate.



DFF

[davefoxx]

Found this little Athearn Freightliner tractor at the LHS today.  Perfect for the TOFC ramp scene as a local carrier to pick up and deliver trailers.



DFF