Paul and Jeffery
Are these the type of screw jack they would have used?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/229-7102
If not, can you describe or show a picture of what they used. The screw jack in the Walthers listing doesn't seem to have a large enough base to have been very stable IMHO.
This is turning into a very interesting detailing project!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The ones I remember seeing were not hitch style and that was the mid 60's.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Thanks Paul and Jeffery
Since I am modeling in the late 50's would the flat cars have been converted to the hitch style by then?
In some cases I can remember when I saw trailers being loaded the wheel chocks were secured in place with large long screws. I didn't have much of an idea what they were doing as I was only five at the time.
Correct? No. Will they stay on the flat car? Generally, yes.
In the "olden days" before the 5th wheel ACF hitch, trailers were held on flat cars with screw jacks, chocks, blocks of wood, steel plates, and chains.
After "landing" the trailer on the flat car (putting the landing gear on U-shaped metal plates to prevent damage to the wood deck), the workers would then chock the wheels with 4 chocks. Then a pair of screw jacks would be positioned under both ends of the trailer and a wooden beam placed on top of them. The screw jacks would then be jacked to take the weight off both the landing gear and the rubber wheels. At this point, they would then attach chains to the underframe of the trailer to hardpoints on the flat car. These chains had special "come along"-type tighteners that were used to snug up the chains.
The Athearn twin 50' TOFC is roughly like this idea, which started and was patented by the CGW in 1937. The New Haven paid for this idea and used it shortly thereafter. I don't know for certain if the CP ever transported TOFC's before the ACF hitch, but they probably did. Therefore, the cars might be sorta close.
If you want to make them more "realistic", you'd need to add 4 jacks and 4 chains. The chocks are sort of molded in place.
Paul A. Cutler III
I have a related question. I hope the OP doesn't mind me horning in on his thread.
I have several Athearn Canadian Pacific piggy back cars with trailers. There are no hitches on these cars. The retractable wheels and the rear wheels simply sit in cradles. Is this correct or are they missing hitches?
Thanks
kvrhobo But, I haven't found any 5th wheel kits for securing the trailer to the deck.
But, I haven't found any 5th wheel kits for securing the trailer to the deck.
Well, that depends what you're looking for. Details West has available several different types of 5th wheel hitches:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/235-1004
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/235-1007
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/235-1008
You can also find suitable hitches that folks have left over from their modelling. I recently sold some of the original hitches that came with Walthers flatcar kits to another forum member. These were the early style that looked more like a plate on two pogo sticks. That kit also had reasonable replicas of the more modern supports which I have in my spare parts box waiting for a good home. I'm sure other modellers have similar unused items if you search for them.
That's the spirit! If you don't have it, build it.
Welcome to the forum.
My HO layout is set in the late 50s and early 60s so piggy back flat cars are on the roster. I use a variety of 50 foot cars which I decal in C.P.R. block lettering. I modify the car by adding guide rails down the length of the car on eihter side. But, I haven't found any 5th wheel kits for securing the trailer to the deck. I've been in the hobby since 1961 so there are always bits and pieces in my scrapbox. One day when i was looking for something else I noticed a number of surplus KD draft boxes I had and the idea hit. The height of the box is almost the perfect height of the 5th wheel stand and with a little modification it looks very much like the real thing. A piece of styrene cut to length makes a perfect angled brace. For the actual hitch on the top, I take another box and cut and file it to the shape of the actual hitch and glue it to the top of upright section. The centre hole on this piece perfectly accommodates the little pin found on the underside of most model trailers.
Now I have a reasonable looking hitch that actually holds the trailers in place. Model Railroading is fun.