Metal Flatcar Modifications

Bob.  Town & Country hobbies has plastic chock blocks and other things for flat car loads. 

http://stores.towncountryhobbies.com/9120-7x/

Bob;

It depends on how you model the flatbed. Do the cars have the side rails out at width?

I'm assuming so as you want to retain the Lionel name on them.

If it's a skeleton car the name will be under the flatbed and out of sight anyway.

Also the bed will need support along or near the outer edge.

That's where the name should reside.

As long as you can hide the cuts, I would just hit them with a dab of paint (not just primer, that absorbs water) to keep them from rusting there. Keep the old paint unless it's badly scratched up.

Russell:  The cars are skeleton cars, with the Lionel name centered under the bed.  I have some pop cycle sticks that are about a quarter inch wider than the exiting bed.  I figured I'd glue them down with silicone.  I'm not sure if I want to stain them or not.  Most of the cars are in pretty good shape with only a few scratches.  All the ladders have been bent to give the truck wheels adequate clearance.  These should probably be touched up.  I guess I'll have to try some Testors paints to find the right colors.  The PS-4's don't have any outside rails.  I just bought two of them from Nicholas Smith.  

Bob,  don't be afraid to put up some pictures!

Pictures would help, because I'm trying to picture this.  My first reaction when I read you posting was 'don't repaint a thing - preserve the written Lionel on the cars - and besides, lots of flatcars are beat up and have imerfect paint.  But then you said they are skeleton cars, and as I picture them (in my mind) they have a central spine and I assume the Lionel is written there.  When you put a wide flat surface above them, will you be able to see the Lionel written underneath?  

This is what they are.  I was wrong about calling them skeleton cars.  OOPS.  This is a particularly good one.  

I think you should build a layout.He He….

Nick, You must be talking' to my wife.  What did you do today?  Any progress on the layout?  You spend way too much tome on the forum.  Do you think retirement means you can stop working?  

Duh, I thought so.  Guess I was mis-informed.  

I used one of these years ago (w/out the plane/boat brackets) from a bargain table at

a show to build a transfer caboose. Used a little short caboose body from somewhere - maybe a bobber body? - paint, decals, window glass, a little styrene decking - and voila!, a basic Xfer caboose.

I like metal cars, and these, even though just traditional-sized, appeal to me, too. I still

have a couple to do as something....one day. 

I would not paint them: like I say some cars are old and beat up . . . .  I'd apply (contact cement) thin wood on top after removing the metal frames (or whatever they are) sticking up.  I use thin wood strips made to plank the sides of wooden model sailing ships.