Hi all,
I have an interesting flat car prototype I have heard referred to by others, and in some histories I have read, but never came across an image of. I kinda want to scratchbuild or kitbash a car inspired by it, but I just want some feedback on people's thoughts on how it would likely look, or if anyone is aware of other similar prototypes.
The car was used by a mining company's captive 3' gauge railroad, it was a flatcar built in the early 1900s of around 30' length, and had on it 2' gauge rails that could hold handcars. These handcars would be loaded with dull drills from the mines, then taken to the machine shops to be offloaded and resharpened, using the 2' gauge tracks in the machine shop - I believe 2' gauge was also used for handcarts around the rockhouses and main mining infrastructure as well. The flat car was also used for general flat car purposes.
I am wondering if the car would be unloaded on the end - two rails where the handcar ran parallel to the gauge of the 3' tracks, or perpendicular - four or more rails, one handcar on each, that would be perpendicular to the direction of travel. I suspect the second, as it seems that would minimize the amount of mobility of the load, and make loading/unloading easier.
Additionally, I am wondering whether the rails would be embedded in the deck, or sit proud of it. I would be tempted to say embedded, so that it doesn't interfere with the general usage of the flat car.
Any thoughts on this, or similar unusual prototype flat cars?
It is very common for railroads to have MofW flatcars with rails on them to ship MoW equipment (tampers, spikers, etc) and even Burro cranes.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
In the Sept/October 2022 issue of the Narrow Gauge Gazette there is a picture of the car you may be referring to. It is on Pat Thomey's Quincy and Torch Lake RR- page 35. The flat car has two sets of rails mounted perpendicular to the railroad's rails. Small handcars carrying dull drills are rolled off the flat car onto the adjacent loading dock's rails and those rails go into the shop. It is a great scene.
His layout will be featured in the upcoming Great Model Railroads-published by our host, Kalmbach. I have seen this layout and it is outstanding.
Mark B.
Mark B In the Sept/October 2022 issue of the Narrow Gauge Gazette there is a picture of the car you may be referring to. It is on Pat Thomey's Quincy and Torch Lake RR- page 35. The flat car has two sets of rails mounted perpendicular to the railroad's rails. Small handcars carrying dull drills are rolled off the flat car onto the adjacent loading dock's rails and those rails go into the shop. It is a great scene. His layout will be featured in the upcoming Great Model Railroads-published by our host, Kalmbach. I have seen this layout and it is outstanding. Mark B.
That is the prototype - and I follow Pat Thomey's Q&TL (have the GMR on preorder just for that).
Didn't realize he had built one, I will have to look for that back issue!