I have just about completed three new flat cars. The first two started out as Athearn Heavy Weight Flat cars. They need a little filler and brake stands (on order) before heading to the paint shop. The first one is an 40 foot, 8 alxe heavy weight flat, the second is a 8 axle, 20 foot well hole flat. They will be painted for one of my shippers on my future flat. Still trying to decide which color scheme to use: TTX yellow, or LNAL red. I need to get going on the decals too. The third is a 12 axle Easter Car Work F-38 flat, straight out of the box. This may be the WORST kits that I have built. It will be painted and lettered for the PRR. I have a second one of these kits, which will be done with the short deck and painted and lettered for the Southern. It will be a while before I tackle it. Many more flats to come! Still putting the finishing touches on my Concept Models schnabel car Yesterday, I ordered a second schnabel kit. Now I will be able to ship all of the components (transformers, generators, reactors, and steam generators) to the new nuclear power plant. Now, I need to learn how to use my air brush! Guess that I need to start working on some loads too! Tom Visit my Schanbel and Large flat car web site.
Impressive cars Tom! Are they first two prototype ones, or freelance? What was the problem with the F38 kit, it looks like it should have been a straightforward kit to produce?
Allan: The well car is not prototypical. The 8 axle flat, is very simular to one that Westinghouse had. Don't remember if it was 12 or 8 axles. The F38 kit, for being in styrene is more like a craftsman resin kit. Direction are very bad - 2 pages. Pieces for the end platfrom had to be cut and filed to fit. On the bottom of the flat car flatform there were 6 or 8 small nubs sticking out. After much thought on what to do with them and why it would not go together, I just cut them off, and then the platform went on the frame. Yes, you are correct, this should have been a simple kit. Also, there was not weight provided, and was not thinking when I put it together. I will have to come up with a heavy load for it. When are you going to do an N scale schnabel, I have a couple of friends who want one, but do not want to pay the brass price? Tom
Tom, that F38 would make a nice cast pewter N scale car I have been asked a number of times for a Schnabel, but wonder whether the sales would justify the time spent on making masters, molds, castings, etc.
