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Atlas 89' Flat Car conversion

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I know several of the forum members have lowered the Atlas 89' flats.  I decided bite the bullet and do a couple low-riders as well... This particular Atlas 89' flat car will also undergo additional changes.  The flat car on the right shows an original unmodified car.  The last photo shows a hint at what kind of load the modified 89' flats be carrying when finished.

 

I chose to remove the bolster stiffener bar on the top of the truck and grind down the remaining bolster pin on the truck. I also removed the atlas coupler and replaced it with a body mounted Kadee #746 no shims.  Drilled and tapped 2-56 holes which I was able to do without protruding through the top of the deck. 

 

Actual deck height after the conversion is just under 4' from top of the rail.   No more 4 x 4 flat car for me.

 

 

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Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Matt,
 
Unmodified the deck height seems to be between 4 1/2' to 5' above the rail and there certainly is that look of needing to clear the 3R truck, wheel flange and coupler. 
 
Although I don't have an exact measurement yet, I suspect based on photos of the prototype the deck is closer to 3' to 3 1/2' above the rail
 
Originally Posted by AGHRMatt:

Nice work. Didn't know the cars with scale wheels needed lowering but they do look better.

 

Last edited by Mike DeBerg
Engineer-JoeEngineer-JoeOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

 You know, you are actually solving a big problem if the manufacturer's cared. They offer "scale" two rail trucks that do lower the car some. What they need then are removable bolsters. Lionel included some in their stack cars for getting them even higher for super sharp curves. This car would have seemed to be an easy one to solve at the factory. Otherwise, one of my favorite cars when they came out. OK, when I finally got one!

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Joe,
Absolutely, no reason that a new more realistic ride height bolster cannot be fabricated.  I've seen a few on various 3D printing sites, primarily for P:48 purposes.
 
Much like different Kadee coupler offerings, there could be low, mid and high ride height bolsters one could buy.
 
The biggest issue will be the adaptation of the coupler gear box.
 
 
Originally Posted by Enginear-Joe:

 You know, you are actually solving a big problem if the manufacturer's cared. They offer "scale" two rail trucks that do lower the car some. What they need then are removable bolsters. Lionel included some in their stack cars for getting them even higher for super sharp curves. This car would have seemed to be an easy one to solve at the factory. Otherwise, one of my favorite cars when they came out. OK, when I finally got one!

 

Last edited by Mike DeBerg
Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Clem,
 
Awesome work!  The results definitely speak for themselves.  That last photo with the two cars end to end really tells the story.  Very dramatic ride height difference.  One of the effects I wanted to maintain were the rotating bearing caps on the wheelsets.  So I thought it might be easier to just grind down the bolster pin on the truck.
 
I also have a nice string of the K-Line spine cars which will be an upcoming project in the near future.   Thanks for the inspiration.
 
Originally Posted by clem k:

I don't know how to put captions on the photo's, and for some reason they never load in the sequence I selected. The spine cars are k-line and the 89' flat cars are Atlas 2 rail and three rail. I use weaver Delrin trucks for most of my conversions 

 

M MLATOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:

Haven't had as much time this weekend to finish the conversion, but here are the next step photos.  really in home stretch though... Next up, attaching the new deck to the 89' car, painting, decaling and weathering.

 

The bulkhead will get weathering to the deck and car.

 

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What did you use for the pipes?  PVC then paint them?  Thanks.

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
One of the other benefits of using PRT tubing is that it's lighter weight than the K&S tubing.  Since the Atlas flat is already a beast in terms of weight, having a light weight load is better.
 
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:
Some loads use K&S tubing, but this is thin wall PRT tubing, has a little bit larger diameter.
 
Originally Posted by MLAT:

What did you use for the pipes?  PVC then paint them?  Thanks.

 

 

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