MTH 2 bay covered ACF centerflow hopper

In my opinion, the only option for improved accurate roof walks for these cars would be to create artwork for etched metal or 3d printed/laser cut replacements. 

The post 1971 (I think, or maybe 1970) ACF Centerflow cars went to expanded metal walkway grating, having typically used Apex walkway prior to that time.  You can tell the era of the car generally by the position of the stiffening ribs on the upper car side.  Pre-1971 cars have a single rib on the top part of the curved car side.  Post-1971 cars have the two ribs located in the flared panel between the curved car side and the walkway.  Your example would then be post-1971. 

Nobody that I'm aware of makes any sort of expanded metal grate walkways, or even blank stock for scratchbuilding.  I suppose PSC might have something like that, but I've never seen it.

The common alternatives are either Apex (rectangular pattern) or Morton (round hole pattern).  Plano would be great for these types, but as you say they do not offer O scale product, which is a shame.  Des Plaines used to offer an etched metal replacement for the Apex 4 bay Weaver cars many years ago, but they no longer produce or sell those walkways.   Atlas has etched metal walkways on their hoppers, both Apex on the older ACF cylindrical version, and Morton on the modern Trinity 5161's.  The issue with all items would be availability of parts and how effective it would be to cut down a walkway meant for a larger car.

I hope that helps, despite the unfortunate fact that your options are limited when it comes to readily available parts.  Good luck!

Jim

This is a laser cut walk I was experimenting with for a Seaboard pneumatic covered hopper.  Some room for improvement when I get back to this project  

@big train posted:

In my opinion, the only option for improved accurate roof walks for these cars would be to create artwork for etched metal or 3d printed/laser cut replacements.

The post 1971 (I think, or maybe 1970) ACF Centerflow cars went to expanded metal walkway grating, having typically used Apex walkway prior to that time.  You can tell the era of the car generally by the position of the stiffening ribs on the upper car side.  Pre-1971 cars have a single rib on the top part of the curved car side.  Post-1971 cars have the two ribs located in the flared panel between the curved car side and the walkway.  Your example would then be post-1971.

Nobody that I'm aware of makes any sort of expanded metal grate walkways, or even blank stock for scratchbuilding.  I suppose PSC might have something like that, but I've never seen it.

The common alternatives are either Apex (rectangular pattern) or Morton (round hole pattern).  Plano would be great for these types, but as you say they do not offer O scale product, which is a shame.  Des Plaines used to offer an etched metal replacement for the Apex 4 bay Weaver cars many years ago, but they no longer produce or sell those walkways.   Atlas has etched metal walkways on their hoppers, both Apex on the older ACF cylindrical version, and Morton on the modern Trinity 5161's.  The issue with all items would be availability of parts and how effective it would be to cut down a walkway meant for a larger car.

I hope that helps, despite the unfortunate fact that your options are limited when it comes to readily available parts.  Good luck!

Jim

Thanks for your response. This is valuable information. Now that Atlas O has the tooling for many MTH freight cars, hopefully they will make improvements to the MTH train cars or come out with all new tooling.

My suggestion would be to contact Des Plaines Hobbies.  Last time I was up there, they had etched walkways for Weaver  covered hoppers, through their O Scale America line.   Being that DPH is not replenishing a lot of the details formerly handled by Ron (deceased) , I would not waste time in grabbing what they have.

Even if they're not 'in stock' the tooling may still be out back and a minimum order quantity possible. 

Jason