Bulkhead flatcar

I've used lumber, metal pipe, logs, scrap metal, and pvc pipe.

K-Line bulkhead flat with a load of 18" x 18" wood beams.  John

Go to your locl auto parts store and buy some brake line and cut it to 5" lengths. iIt'll look legit.

You could use the Lionel Helium tank car as an example of what you can do.

I think lumber loads are most appropriate.  Pulpwood is common.  Maybe because the high sides keep loose pieces inside the car.

@William 1 posted:

I think lumber loads are most appropriate.  Pulpwood is common.  Maybe because the high sides keep loose pieces inside the car.

Bulkhead flat cars have no sides. Tall ends, yes but no sides.

I did mean the ends.  I got my sides mixed up.  That said, I kinda took a stab that the ends are solid and high to keep any loose freight from shaking loose in transit.  You can chain a load of pulpwood down, but I’m thinking it’s going to shift around after a bump or thousand down the line.

@William 1 posted:

I did mean the ends.  I got my sides mixed up.  That said, I kinda took a stab that the ends are solid and high to keep any loose freight from shaking loose in transit.

To be clear, bulkhead flatcars were generally NOT used for "loose freight".

You can chain a load of pulpwood down,

Must admit that I've never seen pulpwood chained down on a bulkhead flatcar. The pulpwood was stacked tightly, on a center-beam bulkhead flatcar.

but I’m thinking it’s going to shift around after a bump or thousand down the line.

Rarely.

Loads for bulkhead flat cars

Long poles

Long logs

Long pipes

Andrew

Hi all,

Here's a Lionel Wisconsin Central bulkhead flat with a load of logs.

I purchased a couple of pieces of 24" copper pipe and their matching fittings. Cut the pipe to length. Made wooden racks with wedges out of 1/4" square balsa/pine. Stained/weathered them. Stacked them on the flatcar with chain tie downs .

Good suggestions from above. To help more, is the flat one of the “standard” scale PS-4 flats with a wood deck? Or is it “traditional” o gauge? Are bulkheads removable? The bulkhead flat is one of my favorites.

I’ve been on an intermodal binge for a good 6+ months- that said, I’ve been putting containers on flats I’ve acquired. I’ve bought K-line 13 1/2” And Weaver 14 1/2” Flats shown below. The k-line flats fit K-line 40’ containers and. However, I’ve had to somewhat modify the flats to fit Atlas(40’), MTH Premier(20’) and Weaver (20’) containers. After measuring The distance between the holes for each container’s pins, i’d Drill holes into the flat with a dremel- viola, coffees. The stakes would likely have to be removable(or plain old removed) .

K-line CSX flat with Weaver 20’ containers. Removable stakes, bulkheads, and chains

Weaver Trailer Train flat with Atlas 40’ container

Watching real trains I've seen bulk head flats hauling thick steel plates. I would guess 2 inches or more. Some piled couple high. Fastened with wide steel strapping. I've made gondola loads with just solid cardboard painted black and weathered with chalks. The strange thing the cardboard 'rolled' or warped. They almost look like gondola plate loads ive seen that are warped. So cardboard could be used or aluminum sheet weathered.

Thanks to all for the advice and pictures. Here are photos of my Chessie and Pennsy bulkhead flatcars, one with wooden sheds and the other with black crates with strapping. Rick