I primed these parts back in July when I visited my Dad. Finally got a chance this last weekend to paint and do final assembly. I have several new kits that allow you to convert a Marklin flatcar with journal box 3 axle buckeye trucks or roller bearing 3 axle buckeye trucks. Trucks are designed for MTL couplers and 33" wheel sets. It rides at the same height as the MTL 60' flatcar. Personally I think the 3 axle truck fills in the flatcar cutout better than a two axle truck could or Marklin's existing way out of scale trucks. Kit also includes plugs for the bolster holes on the topside. I also made two other kits that have loads to help cover up the bolster holes. One version has two CAT D8 AG versions (notice no hydraulic mounts in the front). Another version has two CAT 983's. Both tractors can be built with or without ROPS/canapy. New tractors, without ROPS, both machines could be found on flatcars for delivery from early 1960's to early 1970's. New tractors with ROPS could be found on flatcars for delivery from late 60's to late 70's. Both CAT machines can still be found in the used market all over the world today. You can find a link to my store that has all the kits on the "Swap Meet" here: https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/marklin-conversion-flatcar-kits.129459/ Thanks, -Jon
Very nice! Those heavy duty trucks, tracktor loads, and MTL couplers look so good on that flatcar. I like the black deck one best because the more colors make it seem more detailed.
The only Marklin flat car that I currently have is factory painted as a 50 ton, 53'6" car that could be shortened to better match the prototype by removing the ends (shaded yellow in photo) and scratchbuilding new bolsters to accept Full Throttle Bettendorf trucks. The number of stake pockets will be admittedly be off, but it should still be a decent representation of the prototype after adding a handbrake to the B end, new stirrups, a wood deck (which will also cover those @!&€+θ￦ holes), and touching up the paint. Once that car is done, I'll definitely have to keep my eyes open for another stock Marklin flat to build as a 125 ton car with Buckeye trucks Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
Shortened Marklin flat waiting for new stirrups, wood deck, brake wheel, touch-up paint. Also, another potential paint scheme for a stock Marklin flat with 125 ton trucks http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1614556 Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
I did this one it's 3D printed 50ft Flat car. I know that not to many people like the Plastic. But they work well in a yard or spur as a static piece unless you have a weighted load! last photo have wood decking but store bought!
I have the wood decks and decals for several roads in both regular and bulkhead applications. I love those flatcars. The GSI Cast Steel Underframe flatcars have great detail, and if someone were to come out with a brass underframe, I would be honored to provide the top end and decals. I made mine out of wood back in the day... about 13 years ago:
I also did a some UP flatcars too, the F-50-11 TOFC which was a Pullman Standard car: And the F-70-16 which used the GSI/GSC Cast Steel Underframes:
The car in the photo is a PRR F30A. It's a bit of an oddball since it is a 50' rather than 53' car, but it would be another useful model since a good number of them were converted to TOFC service by PRR (F30G) before they were conveyed to Trailer Train. Many cars operated into the 1980's hauling 45' trailers while Trailer Train was in the process of reconfiguring their 89' flats from hauling two 40' trailers to "Twin 45's" http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ttx/ttx475215ags.jpg GSC 53' flat is also a good choice given the sheer number of railroads that owned them, variations such as bulkheads (with varying heights), etc. Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
No love for the NP 52' flats with straight side sills? It's a good "signature" car that's also good for SP&S and CB&Q (and BN), also cars that were retrofitted with bulkheads. Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
I haven't got around them them yet. I have a list of distinctive cars I want to do, and stuff like NP logging flats, and NP radial roof boxcars are ahead in the line.
If you have any excess MTL 40' PS-1's, check out the kitbash on the link below. I made a note of this article as a potential way to recycle any MTL N scale 40' PS-1's that may have survived my post-Atlas Master Series PS-1 purge, but I don't see why I wouldn't translate to Z if anyone knows of a 40' diagonal panel roof...or is willing to overlook the stock MTL PS "bowtie" roof... I figured the excess height on MTL's N scale PS-1 could be used to simulate the reinforced sills on the prototype by reshaping and scribing the bottom sill rather than the usual method of adding a styrene strip to an accurately-proportioned model. However, I admittedly haven't measured the MTL Z scale PS-1 to know if this would also be applicable in Z. On that note, the link also has a bulkhead flat conversion that should would work with either a proper 50T AAR flat or a shortened Marklin flat as a stand-in (e.g. my half-@$$ed UP F-50-11) http://www.nprha.org/modeling/forms/allitems.aspx Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
Warning - clicking on the link in my prior post may cause excessive browsing... Those Cannon HO models are nice if anyone is "ambitious" (a/k/a crazy) enough to scratchbuild those car sides in Z, substitute a pair of ends cut from a MTL mechanical reefer for the Branchline HO ends, substitute either a MTL 50' PS-1 roof with roofwalk or a spliced pair of 40' PS-1 roofs without roofwalks as a stand-in for the Athearn Genesis overhanging PS roof. Dammit, I am closing my browser RIGHT NOW... Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
