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Columbia and Cowlitz Centerbeam Flatcar
I merged a spare MDC Roundhouse 60' bulkhead flatcar with McKean Models
centerbeam posts and custom decorated the resulting "quick and dirty" kitbash.
This project was inspired by the August 1989 Mainline Modeler magazine article by
Dennis Aust, reprinted in The Best of Mainline Modeler's Freight Cars, Volume 1.
I merged a spare MDC Roundhouse 60' bulkhead flatcar with McKean Models
centerbeam posts and custom decorated the resulting "quick and dirty" kitbash.
This project was inspired by the August 1989 Mainline Modeler magazine article by
Dennis Aust, reprinted in The Best of Mainline Modeler's Freight Cars, Volume 1.
Below: My finished model is a "close enough" representation that captures the overall look and feel of the prototype.
Below: One error I made was not paying attention to the stake pocket arrangement on the MDC bulkhead car - there are 13
pockets per side, but I had 16 McKean vertical posts. I plowed blindly ahead and used all the posts to get a closer spacing.
Note that the prototype car is longer and has 19 posts, so this kitbash is an exercise in "modeler's license". The outcome
is that my centerbeam posts do not align with the stake pockets. Ideally, the stake pockets should have been removed and
replaced with tie-down ratchets, but that would have involved a lot of modification to the deck which I chose not to tackle.
Here you can see I've marked the deck centerline and post locations. I crafted a simple jig to attach the posts to the top rail,
a length of styrene C channel. The gray splotching on the posts is Tamiya filler putty I used to smooth out the molding sinks.
I also pre-drilled two holes in each post for the wires to thread through.
pockets per side, but I had 16 McKean vertical posts. I plowed blindly ahead and used all the posts to get a closer spacing.
Note that the prototype car is longer and has 19 posts, so this kitbash is an exercise in "modeler's license". The outcome
is that my centerbeam posts do not align with the stake pockets. Ideally, the stake pockets should have been removed and
replaced with tie-down ratchets, but that would have involved a lot of modification to the deck which I chose not to tackle.
Here you can see I've marked the deck centerline and post locations. I crafted a simple jig to attach the posts to the top rail,
a length of styrene C channel. The gray splotching on the posts is Tamiya filler putty I used to smooth out the molding sinks.
I also pre-drilled two holes in each post for the wires to thread through.
Below: I came across this car on a railfanning trip many years ago, and always wanted to replicate it in HO scale.
It looks like a bulkhead flat car that has been modified into a centerbeam car, but in fact these cars were built as you see here.
Dennis Aust's Mainline Modeler article showed the path forward, which I simplified by using McKean Models ready-made vertical posts.
It looks like a bulkhead flat car that has been modified into a centerbeam car, but in fact these cars were built as you see here.
Dennis Aust's Mainline Modeler article showed the path forward, which I simplified by using McKean Models ready-made vertical posts.
Right: The first step was to upgrade the stirrup steps and grabs.
Below: Here the centerbeam has been assembled including wires threaded into the posts, leaving a space in the middle.
The deck has been drilled to receive the posts, which have small pegs on the bottom to fit into the deck holes for strength.
The deck has been drilled to receive the posts, which have small pegs on the bottom to fit into the deck holes for strength.
Below: The finished kitbash prior to painting. The top rail is attached to the bulkhead using a bit of larger C channel
(gray) with a notch to receive the top rail C channel (white). 0.060" square styrene stock has been added to the deck,
aligned with each post - ideally, these would slope downward toward the centerbeam, but to keep things simple I
chose not to attempt replicating this detail. I also replaced the brake gearbox and wheel to refine the detailing a bit.
(gray) with a notch to receive the top rail C channel (white). 0.060" square styrene stock has been added to the deck,
aligned with each post - ideally, these would slope downward toward the centerbeam, but to keep things simple I
chose not to attempt replicating this detail. I also replaced the brake gearbox and wheel to refine the detailing a bit.
Below: I used Santa Fe blue to paint the entire car. I cobbled together the lettering from various Microscale freight car and
alphabet decal sets. The car received an over-spray of dullcote, followed by powdered weathering chalks and more dullcote.
To simulate load tie-down cables, I used silvery-gray colored sewing thread tied to the stake pockets and wrapped through
the posts, similar to what I could see in the prototype photos. The process is laid out right-to-left in this photo: Tie one thread
end to a stake pocket, and wrap it through the nearest post. Pass it through the opposite stake pocket and pull tight, tie the
second knot, and fix both knots with dabs of white glue. Once dry, trim off the excess thread at both ends.
alphabet decal sets. The car received an over-spray of dullcote, followed by powdered weathering chalks and more dullcote.
To simulate load tie-down cables, I used silvery-gray colored sewing thread tied to the stake pockets and wrapped through
the posts, similar to what I could see in the prototype photos. The process is laid out right-to-left in this photo: Tie one thread
end to a stake pocket, and wrap it through the nearest post. Pass it through the opposite stake pocket and pull tight, tie the
second knot, and fix both knots with dabs of white glue. Once dry, trim off the excess thread at both ends.
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