Greetings All,
Welcome to Freight Car Spotlight #2-2023
or another installment of
Hello, my name is John and I'm a trainaholic.
Today's focus will be on Penn Central depressed center flatcars #766210 and #766215. Let's take a look at the prototype and the models:
The Prototype
The New Haven Railroad purchased ten of these short flatcars numbered 17060-17069 that were all transferred to the Penn Central on January 1st, 1969. The cars were built in February, 1942 at Readville, PA using a General Steel cast underframe. The cars featured a 17' 2" loading platform and road two feet above the railhead.
Why is the flatcar depressed?
Depressed center flatcars are designed to carry heavy oversized loads that would exceed height or weight requirements of standard flatcars. Below a transformer component sits on an eight axle depressed center flatcar. The braces are welded in place to securely hold the load.
These big loads are eye catching and this photo of an eight wheel depressed center flatcar with load shows some nice detail of this type of freight car.
Special Handling
Car Service Directive CSD-439
As a way to control car movements in conjunction with the Interstate Commerce Commission Car Service Rules the Association of American Railroads Car Service Division will issue Special Car Orders (CSO) and Car Service Directives (CSD). CSD 439 called for the prompt return of Special Type Flatcars in mechanical classes FW, FD, FG and FM car with a capacity of over 200,00 pounds.
Foreign road cars were to returned empty to the owner either via reverse route or seeking authority to short route the car home if the reverse route was circuitous.
Upon release of the empty cars all dunnage and blocking was to be removed unless authorized to remain. Intercepting or applying for a car without Car Service Division approval resulted in fines of $100.00 to $300.00.
The Models
Just after Christmas 1:1 Sir Neal introduced me to the Exact Rail HO scale Penn Central depressed center flatcars and some turbine loads made for these cars. Still reeling from my Christmas purchases I waited a few days before making my moves and purchasing two of each. The cars represent the ex NH cars that were repainted in 1972.
The Loads
I bought this pair of loads on ebay after 1:1 Sir Neal graciously provided the link but before buying the flatcars. Once I had purchased the loads it made good sense to me that I needed depressed center flatcars to carry them. Right?
The seller included this fact sheet that described them as HO scale Francis style turbines that are used for power generation at dams and reservoirs.
The model loads come with small magnets to help hold them on the Exact Rail depressed center flatcars.
Here's one side of the turbine.
Here is the other side of the turbine.
The cars have returned loaded.
Ready for movement.
Additional, Reading, Resources and Links
Here are the new flatcars getting tested and in revenue service.
Empties at North Side Yard.
Happy with how the cars run and look I added some wood blocking to both cars to move heavy equipment to and from Empire City Caterpillar.
A large front end loader and water truck fit perfectly on the cars and the blocking holds them in place very nicely.
This led to adding blocking to the NYC heavy duty eight axle flatcar to move move heavy equipment.
An aerial view of the High & Wide Extra.
The big Caterpillar Scraper finally rides on a piece of rolling stock!!!
The three machines cross the High Line into Empire City for delivery to the local Empire City Caterpillar dealer.
Final Thoughts and Comments
Out of the box the Exact Rail depressed center flatcars were basically ready to go. These very nicely detailed cars with the turbine loads and heavy equipment loads fit the cars perfectly and add additional operational options. Whether empty or loaded these cars make a nice addition to nay train.
Special Thank You 1:1 Sir Neal!!!
As my trainaholic sponsor I would like to thank 1:1 Sir Neal for introducing me to these cars and the generator loads!
Train Life / Exact Rail Exclusive PC car page.
Penn Central Color Guide to Freight Equipment
Thanks for reading and watching!!!
See you soon!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice new additions for the trainaholic! Don't worry, they can be perfectly justified! Those cool turbines and heavy CAT equipment need some way of getting them to their consignees after all! The cars look great empty but superb with their eye catching loads. Nice job on the wood blocking by the way! I'm looking forward to seeing these cars on the N.Y.C.T.. rails!
Thanks you very much Ralph!!! I really like these cars and they add another operations option to the layout.
DeleteVery nice purchases you've made Sir John! Your sponsor sees that you are admitting the addiction, yet still making wise choices!
ReplyDeleteThe loads you added to the flat cars are very impressive. The ones we bought do give the flat cars that true 'high and wide' look. Now I need to learn from the student and add some of those "CAT" trucks to some of my flat cars. Looking forward to seeing them in some OP sessions!
Thank you very much 1:1 Sir Neal!! All of this would not have been possible without your guidance!!
Delete