Atlas Trainman flatcar

I have four of these on order, hope they come soon!  They definitely look nice.  Are the side stake pockets functional?

-Paul 

Whats the overall length of the car? does it have the new narrower trucks?

Paul- the side stake pockets are functional, there are 16 pockets on each side of the car.

Hibar-The car measures 17" long from end to end and 18" long measured from coupler to coupler. The two I have still uses the older wide trucks.

I have 4 TTX and 2 BNSF on order. 

superpower, I was concerned because I always went with the Masterline, but I agree, they look really good. 

Nice to hear the cars are pretty well done, I would have thought by now the Atlas line would have the new trucks or perhaps its less expensive to use the older trucks on the Tman line, maybe they still have a large inventory of the older trucks.

Swafford,

The bulkheads, top deck and car sides are plastic, while the underframe is of diecast construction. The sides and top deck are a solid one piece molding out of thick plastic. On my scale the car weighs 1.33lbs, which seems adequate for running at the front of a long train being pulled or pushed. One thing for certain, these cars won't sag in the middle or bow up in the middle. Like Hibar, I was also anticipating these having the new 2 rail trucks, but even without them, my expectations have been exceeded.

They look great. Can't wait until mine get out here. I ordered a pair in TTX. If there are four road numbers, I may buy the other two road numbers.

Looks pretty good! Thanks for posting pix. I've got 4 on order(IC & TTX), just gotta figure out what to use for O scale re-bar loads.

CN_Hogger

I saw these recently on display at their booth.  I agree, its a pretty good job as a trainman model.  I have a Gilmaur brass version to compare when it ships.

The BNSF do not have the ladders check rrpicturesarchive.net, pic of 546253[grab irons] UPs only show 2 grab irons on ends,looks like Atlas is using more MFGs license on road names on Tman cars,as a matter of fact the TTX car is the only car that is correct for this model.

Does anyone know whether the Atlas bulkheads can be pulled off?

Making them more prototypical could be a project worth persuing, maybe?

If there are further runs of these flats, produced in greater numbers, there maybe a market to develop replacement bulkheads, more prototypical (I guess this is wishful thinking).

Hey MikesRR ,

I have the bulkheads you are looking for , email me

Bernie

IIRC, I though the TM flat was the same car for the tall bulkhead and the short bulkhead as well as the standard flat.  Wouldn't surprise me if they did come off?

Mikesrr,

The bulkheads are removable. Two small screws underneath the car need to be removed to take the bulkhead off. I took this apart while watching the Superbowl, seeing how it looks as a straight flat. I like it better with the bulkheads, but it's a good design that allows you to have a little variety in car types on your layout. I didn't see any option to make these into a short bulkhead though. It looks like one solid molded piece. Pic below.

Are the short bulkheads not already on the way?  I thought they announced those.

I am looking to build a brick car.

Just got my 4 bulkheads from JD's(2 IC & 2 TTPX). I'm impressed with them, at least for a Trainman model. Much better execution on this than the PS Covered hoppers!

One of them had a bulkhead broken off, it went right back on with the exception of the two tiny screws. I think it will have to be glued at some point. I think the packaging may be part of the problem with the bulkheads as when I was putting the car back in the box it came off again. I'm still impressed with them though and plan on getting the other 2 TTPX #'s if I can find them.

CN_Hogger

my four should arrive from jds on Tuesday.  Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the simulated wood on the bulkhead in order to add add your own wooden planks?

Paul

Sorry was not aware you wanted to chat.  :-)  I'll be at the March Meet.

Definitely a nice TM car.  Not as clunky at the TM4750's... Thank goodness.