Tom, I have two of the metal flats on my layout. I too did not deal
with the sloping stake pockets. I did however have the deck milled down
and replaced it with real scribed wood. It really helps the appearance.
I also tried to use the Ace bolsters, but they make the car sit really
high. I don't know if I purchased the wrong kind, or the package might
have been mislabeled, but they didn't work. I resorted to a built up
bolster and used the old Stewart end sill casting with coupler pockets
that worked out just fine.
I have another one or two stashed away that I might try something new:
I still would start with milling off most of the top deck. This should
leave most of the deck fairly thin. I would then drill many holes then
then use a jeweler's saw to eliminate most of the remaining deck. I
would then overlay individual wood decking planks. In one of the many
Milwaukee Road/Morning Sun type books there is a photo of a farm
implement that has crashed through the floor--kinda neat. If you check
out the decking, some of the boards will warp up and some down with all
being very rough looking. On a flat car the most visible element is the
decking.
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
On 12/15/12 10:38 PM, Thomas Baker wrote:
I have had an experience that I believe many in S scale have had:
Afriend modeling in HO comes up and says, "Oh, I found this S stuff in
my basement or a friend found it. . . . Here you can have it." I'm no
longer able to recall, but for years I've had three old AF flatcars,
two metal, one plastic. I have decided to use them, but they will need
some modification and will get it.
One modification, however, they willnot receive is the grinding down
of the old round bolster area. I've done this on AF gons, no problem,
but it's not going to happen on AF metal flatcars and probably not on
the plastic job either. Iappreciate detail and all that, but this is
a bridge too far. Yes, I willwork in some underbody detail but will
not go to the lengths I have on the scale cars or in reworking old AF
gons and box cars.
Now the question is whether someone out there would be willing to sell
me three pairs of ACE bolsters for these cars. Contact meoffline.
Tom Baker
