Saw an old Southern bulkhead flat car in the Reno yard with what I will describe as "scalloping" on the sides. Could not get close enough for a better picture or more details without trespassing, and the car moved out of site. This looks like it was added to the car and not original, but not sure. What is the purpose? Thanks, Chuck.
If you mean under the load it looks like steel panels that would be under a second floors poured concrete floor. Ribbed for strength and used to support the heavy load. The usual wood floor on the car wouldn't support that load. Rich
N scale? That's one hell of a model! Those square receptivles welded to the sides are for holding stakes. Now, I answered your question. Answer mine. What master modeler weathered that N scale car!? Or did I? Do you mean the sawtooth profile on the top of what look like braces welded on below those?
Looks like something painting related. A bit odd though. Have never seen such. Does not look like lettering. Whatever is covered up by those large patches is/was.....?
I'm guessing something serrated got repurposed to brace up a sagging old car. Serrated plates pop up in odd applications we never think about, like locomotive steps.
Yes, below the stake pockets and tarp ties. Looks like there are cutouts to clear the stake pockets and I did not see any way to attach to this to use as a tie-down so do not think it is there for that reason. It also looks like it may be at a slight outward angle from the bottom weld point. My first thought was it was there to hold pieces of scrap wood used to protect the load from chain/strapping damage when tied down.
