Check out the "web only" specials section of Plano's website for some good deals on one-off or "oops" type production runs. Might find something there that would suit your needs:
http://www.planomodelproducts.com/webonly.html
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
mbinsewi EDIT: Sorry Chuck, you posted while I was typing.
EDIT: Sorry Chuck, you posted while I was typing.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
To cut this material, I use this:
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/xur/xur9180et.htm
As recomended by a good guy, and scratch builder, "zstripe", Frank, on this forum.
They work great.
Mike.
My You Tube
I use products from http://www.planomodelproducts.com/ Keith is a great guy, and his products are excellent.
I have bought many tank car and hopper car products, and he has scratch builders supplies, which feature "morton" style flooring mesh and the "apex" style.
I think CalScale also offers this type of material, but not sure.
Not sure which tank car you are working with, but have you looked at Plano Model Products? They make all sorts of mesh walkways for a lot of tank cars, boxcars, coil cars, etc. They are precut and ready to use. I've used their stuff in the past and have liked it.
I know someone advertised brass mesh that could be used for (say) the top platform on tank cars. I am taking advise from those of you who have tried this, since I believe it would be difficult to avoid distorting the mesh, keeping the ends uniform, etc. I could live with PSC diamond plate, but the stuff is pretty dear. I could also live with a (solid) deck of .010 or .015 brass or copper, as long as I fabricate the handrails out of .010 phosphor bronze. Any ideas from Michaels/Hobby Lobby or elsewhere?