fLAT CAR lOAD

PS Sorry for the typing errors-somehow I "published" my question before I corrected the typing errors-the width of those flat cars is not 3 1/2-3 3/4 but rather 2 1/2-2 3/4"-but I think the question is accurate-P Hering

On a real railroad, a 16'-wide load would be oversize. It would require special routing to avoid bridges or tunnels with inadequate clearance. You might have the same problem on your layout, being only able to run the loaded car on parts of it--perfectly prototypical.

It's a hobby. If that's what you want, go for it!

Ken  Thanks for the reply. The model describes those boats as having a length of 42-45' and a width of 12-14'-so the described 4" model width ( which in O scale is 16') seems a bit too wide. I may write the company and ask them-it certainly would be better even if it is actually 3 3/4" wide. Thanks again Paul

@turtle7 posted:

Ken  Thanks for the reply. The model describes those boats as having a length of 42-45' and a width of 12-14'-so the described 4" model width ( which in O scale is 16') seems a bit too wide. I may write the company and ask them-it certainly would be better even if it is actually 3 3/4" wide. Thanks again Paul

I think your easiest and most reliable test would be to rubber band a four inch wide block of styrofoam or other soft material on top of a flat car or gondola and run it through your layout, slowly. If it hits something, or navigates your layout *without* hitting anything, you'll have your practical answer!

Steve, Ken  I am embarrassed to say, but I dont have a layout. We had a bunch of children (5) and the basement 'belonged" to them. I am a long time avid collector-and now in my retired and waning years have taken up some model train construction-just finished the PRR clearance car. Besides the PRR ( and other Pennsylvania and NJ lines) I like the B&A, MEC, B&M, CV, Rutland,  etc.)-hence my interest in a MEC flat carrying a lobster boat made by one of the many Maine coast boat builders on its way to Nova Scotia for use in the Gulf of St Lawrence.  Thanks again, Paul

In that case, you are home free! You can put the boat on your flatcar on your mantle as you sip your favorite beverage and dream away! Boats and trains...what could be better?

@turtle7 posted:

Steve, Ken  I am embarrassed to say, but I dont have a layout. We had a bunch of children (5) and the basement 'belonged" to them. I am a long time avid collector-and now in my retired and waning years have taken up some model train construction-just finished the PRR clearance car. Besides the PRR ( and other Pennsylvania and NJ lines) I like the B&A, MEC, B&M, CV, Rutland,  etc.)-hence my interest in a MEC flat carrying a lobster boat made by one of the many Maine coast boat builders on its way to Nova Scotia for use in the Gulf of St Lawrence.  Thanks again, Paul

Interesting -- as it happens, I have recently been modeling the Cambridge Creek area from my hometown of Cambridge, MD, for the RFC train garden, including the old train station I completed earlier, and my current project (still in progress), the Cambridge Creek bridge:

For the latter, I hope to add some authentic workboats to the harbor near the bridge, including some Chesapeake Bay deadrises and a skipjack or two. I'm still looking for O scale versions of the former, but did find a fairly close (1:60) skipjack kit, the assembly of which is still on my to-do list:

Fortunately, I can just surgically remove the bottom and add it to the waterway, so I don't have to worry about fitting it to a flatcar!

Personally? I'd have to look at it to draw an honest conclusion, but I think it would look goofy and out of scale. Good Luck

To All Responders-thanks to everybody who responded-each of you gave me something to consider and learn more. After stubbsO's comments, I read more about this particular boat-the Northumberland Strait lobster boat. The usual beam of these boats is 12-14'-and the usual maximum flat car load width  is limited to being less than 10-11'. I also read that most of these boats are manufactured in the Nova Scotia/ St Lawrence river area by builders right near the water-so like the Maine lobster boats, they usually go straight from the building place to the water-so why would the MEC be transporting such a boat. I actually called a friend in Maine who knows such 'stuff" and he hasnt seen a Northumberland boat made in Maine for years. I have made a reasonable small Maine type lobster boat for a MEC flat car-Ill stick with that one. SO again, thanks to all-it is your responses that make this hobby still enjoyable to this old guy.  P Hering