Ideas for tie downs on flat cars

Try the jewelry department of either Hobby Lobby or Michaels, and look for the various sizes & shapes of fine chain they sell.

here is something i found online months ago and used to make wheel chocks on a 1:8 scale flat for some ERTL Farmall tractors i picked up online...

i've seen a few different loading patterns depending on the tractor size.  unfortunately as with most models, even the wheels on my large scale models could not be flipped around as they typically were for more compact shipping.

good luck...gary

Thanks for the ideas guys.  And Hot Water that is the second good tip you gave me. The thread idea for the springs was a lifesaver..................Paul

You can get fine chain in all sorts of links per inch from A Line Products - frequently available in the ship modeling aisle of hobby shops.  Even comes pre-blackened. 

You can get the tie down load binder castings from Wiseman Model Services.

If you want to use cables, upholstery thread or surgical silk makes decent braided cable since the thread is braided.