Scrap metal loads

Best to go to a local machine shop and get a bucket of metal shavings for free.

First Photos above are a bit over done.

SIRT posted:

Best to go to a local machine shop and get a bucket of metal shavings for free.

First Photos above are a bit over done.

I agree about the first load, a bit much! When I do a load like that, I always include more then enough material so the load can be changed, or the person may not want to use certain items. 

There is a small machine shop close to where I worked that we used on occasion, and I got to know the owners. I asked if I could get a container of band saw chips, and he said take all you want. When I told him what the material was for, he gave me a small bag of aluminum shavings from a bag he was saving for his grandson's trains. When I was restoring a mine car for our preservation society, I needed to get the threads chased on a large nut, and I took a load I made with the aluminum chips to show him. When this virus mess is over, I will head over and get some more. 

I like that look of a silver and brass mix. You can also spray them with rust primer too! 

Clear coat or  rustfaux paint the so it doesn't spread

"spellwreck"

I really like all of them. No BS

Love the scrap loads,  especially the chip loads.

Not trying to hijack your thread...but some may find this useful.  I found an old paint can lid prototypically rusting by the side of the tracks. I broke it up (wear gloves!) and glued the pieces to a false bottom:

John Sethian posted:

Not trying to hijack your thread...but some may find this useful.  I found an old paint can lid prototypically rusting by the side of the tracks. I broke it up (wear gloves!) and glued the pieces to a false bottom:

 

I've done this as well using rusted metal cans/buckets. it looks very real, and on two rails! I've seen gondolas with metal stacked against the sides to get more in  the car. 

Some years back I bought some scrap metal loads, baled / etc., from Chooch Enterprises that look and fit great. Don't know if they are still around or not, haven't looked.

Hi everyone,

John S - very good idea. I use the same for all loads also.

Please take a look and let me know your professional opinions.

Few simple tips: lift actual load upto gondola sides and glue it together on wood base.

To make it more realistic I am using 4 colors of rust paint (plus some natural rust also

Some more items (not related to rust) - marble stone, wood logs are very beautifying picture.

Hi rail,

Your load looks very natural, but...usually during transportation and storage all single items settled-in places and looks more  (I do not know how to explain) - more "organized" (probably this word).

rattler21 posted:

SIRT posted:

Best to go to a local machine shop and get a bucket of metal shavings for free.

First Photos above are a bit over done.

Great idea.  Would a bar magnet in the load keep the shavings from vibrating and spilling out of the car?  That assumes ferrous shavings.  John in Lansing, ILL

The load with the shredded metal is encased in water base urethane floor finish on a masonite or luan base. The base is cut to fit just enough that the load will drop out when turned upside down. Depending on the depth of the gondola/hopper and the type of load, I glue wood feet at each end to raise the load to an appropriate height. Somewhere on the forum, I posted a how to video. I think I titled it making a coal load, and search under posts.

Jack&Lynn posted:

Hi everyone,

John S - very good idea. I use the same for all loads also.

Please take a look and let me know your professional opinions.

Few simple tips: lift actual load upto gondola sides and glue it together on wood base.

To make it more realistic I am using 4 colors of rust paint (plus some natural rust also

Some more items (not related to rust) - marble stone, wood logs are very beautifying picture.

 

Hi rail,

Your load looks very natural, but...usually during transportation and storage all single items settled-in places and looks more  (I do not know how to explain) - more "organized" (probably this word).

 

Jack& Lynn, I like your load! In my case, I would say the placement of the load would be up to my friend to arrange it and use whatever he deems appropriate. If he wants to glue it to a board , that's fine. I will just put all the material in a ziplock bag and give it to him. For storage, the material could be removed and packaged for later use. The benefit of the loose load is the infinite arrangements in the car, and could be used in any sized gondola, by adding or deleting material to fit the size. The shredded load is for a predetermined car, and is glued to a wood base.

Jack&Lynn mentioned about marble and stone; I made some slab marble loads using commercial rubber stair tread material. I saved a bunch of cutoff ends figuring I could come up with something. I looked at the pattern in the material, and it resembles the veining in marble. I got some scrap pieces of wood and made cribbing with slots for banding. I cut thin strips of black Duck Tape and ran them around the load and stuck them to each other at the bottom. For the stone load, I had some pieces of foam stone that I sliced into random sized thin slabs. I made a crude skid with sides. I never did get around to sanding and weathering the wood though. Might be a good project for home confinement!