From the Workbench, Sometimes We Model Too.
ExactRail keeps me busy, but occasionally, I have time to model too.
Ever since we released the 53'-6 GSC flat cars, I've wanted to have a 6 to 8 car cut of lumber for my 1970s era Union Pacific layout. This is what has come from the ol' workbench. The lumber loads consist of dimensionally accurate 2X4 loads in 8’, 10’ 12’ and 16’ lengths. (In the attached photo, I only show 10’ and 16’ lengths.)
I am pretty happy with the results thus far. However, the loads are not perfect. Prototype lumber loads have banding which tie the wood bunks together (as in the photo.) They also have banding that ties bunks into groups. It has been my intention to add banding to groups of bunks when the load was assembled on the deck. However, my method just wasn't working out. I am going to have to try a different strategy.
Sometimes, that's modeling!
Happy railroading!
31 Responses
joe durso
i’d love to say…“love your load”…or “sick load”….maybe even…“that’s an awesome load”, but it may not be “safe for work” viewing…!!!!!!
i’ll play it safe and just say that “it looks fantastic”….your load that is…!!!!!!
Tom Barnes
I have nothing but admiration for your products. I model HO and would love to add some of your fine cars to the layout. Would you consider a budget line of your products? I feel that you would gain customers and sell product if you would. Thanks!
Joe
You know what, i think it looks pretty good, how about a closer up photo of the ends, those individual looking boards are pretty cool!
JW
I agree. That is the fun of modeling is trying different directions, that why railroads have switches and "why"s . JW
James F Ervin
Great idea Mr. Hadfield…BUT prototypical 2×4′s would be extremely small. Would you
please consider 2×6′s or preferably 2×8′s ? Better yet some 4x ?? ( lumber jargon call
this size 16 quarter lumber. 2x ?? would be 8 quarter lumber). Thanks
Old sawmill guy
Jeff Guidry
Blaine………looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ben Robbins
I have a lumber mill and full set up of paper mills to recreate the prototype of the Northern AZ. Apache Railway. Thanks for the idea. Good job.
Brian smith
Lumber load looks better than I’ve ever seen keep up the good work
Harry
when are they going into production?
Jim Bowden
By Far one of the most realistic loads I have seen.
Ernest Derby
How about offering the loads for the flat cars? The car looks great with the load but the cars is to clean, must be a brand new car. LOL
Thanks for such GREAT products!
How about doing a FLEXI FLOW car (NYC prototype) AHM and Overland models have produced the model years ago.
Plano already has the detail kit made for the AHM plastic cars. I know your company can do a outstanding job with Plano’s detail. Better then AHM cars.
Thank you
Ernie
Bodo Rasler
Looks nice your load, Blaine!
I did many different loads for my European RR and now shifting to US I am really surprised not to find flat or bulkhead cars with stakes. You can’t use center-beams for many wood-loads such as freshly cut large lumber and others. Also pipes and other high loads would need stakes at the side of the cars to secure the load.
Maybe ExactRail gets the idea??
Bodo
Berlin / Germany
Timothy Morris
I too made lumber loads, but they are “packaged” bundles. I used black electrical tape cut to a scale 2" to make the banding. The tape is laid out out on a sheet of glass, then I cut it in scale widths. It works for me.
Tim Morris
rodney binns
From my point of view this is still a very good effort. As an ex railroader I would be more comfortable with a lower load. Inertia is a powerful thing.
robert reniewich
good looking load on that car !
Ron Tuff
Beautiful model load with appropriate dunnage. I’ve built a number of dimensional lumber loads for my British Columbia Railway layout. Try using a 1×6 styrene strip as a needle to thread the banding between the bundles. A tiny drop of acc will ensure the band does not come apart.
Tim O'Connor
You’re very close. In a photo I have of a UP flat car, the stacks are eight high — basically the stacks you made should be subdivided into half-stacks, where the band starts from the top half-stack and encompasses the full-stack above — and so on. I think the only way to build it this way is to lay down the Chart Pak tape (steel bands) as you build the stacks, but don’t wrap the tape over until each successive half-stack and full stack is built. In all the photo shows almost 50 individual bands or about twice as many as you have. Email me if you’d like me to send the photo.
George Manley
This load of lumber is out standing, I have been and am doing lumber loads on Exactrail bulk heads and soon flat cars, this is real good work…On the UP BNSF and the SP, those lumber drags mixed with box cars told daily stories and great work like this sure makes the hobby take a step up…..
John Poeling
This flat lumber load is the best of all.
Kurt Konrath
Your loads look great, but I would make sure you weather the cars before securing the new loads.
Once you figure out the way to group bunks together and secure who load to the flat you will have a great looking flat car load.
Keep us informed on what you figure out, and give more details on how you did it all.
Tracey Gianelli
Thank you for sharing your work with us. It’s definitely beautiful work and I would love to have some if you plan to run it in N scale. However, I think it would be a smash in any scale. Very nice!!!
erik holtyn
Nice job Blaine. What did you use for the bands ?
Chris Roehl
After you add unitizing bands, suggest minimum 2×4 guide rails spanning at least two bearing pieces each and running length of load and spliced together by cap pieces of same material as guide rails and not less than 36" in length. Top it off with 4×4 stub stakes extending 8" above car floor, located approx 2’ from each end of load and every other stake pocket between, on both sides. Please explain how you made the lumber bunks. Unitizing bands can be attached to assembled load by using 1/64" chart tape. Use thin plastic or card stock strip to run thru gap, stick tape to it, pull thru and over to join atop load and secure with CA and wipe excess with pipe cleaner bent into U shape for control.
Jim Oliver
Love it. I just finished a flat car project, but unfortunately, didn’t use your GSC 53-6 car. Mine are all tied up for intermodal service. But the load is a HO scale M48A3 Patton Tank, with all the correct tie downs. Saw a photo of a UP GP35 pulling a lone flat with the tank on it and just had to have one . . . especially since I trained on these back in 1962.
Now I may have to do another one, using the UP flat. I really like the detail more than the car I used.
Terry Wynne
I do hope you are going to make lumber loads like those shown available in model form? Thanks for showing.
Terry
Terry Bryant
Looks good!! In the 70’s, saw quite a few pole loads on the ICG in south Mississippi on flat cars with stakes along the sides of the cars to secure the load. Keep up the good work!!
Vincent Sanders
I do have a question. I have been waiting for a long time for the functioning “N” scale signals? Way back then I was told there was some problems getting the light colors right. I see they still not available. Or did I some how miss them. Your "HO signals are awesome. But alas I am an “N” scalier. Thank Vincent.
Vincent Sanders
First is this N scale? Second will I be able to get my hands on them. And did I miss it? Are these 53"-6" flats available? Vincent.
DARWIN STEGER
LOVE IT
Tom Lavin
While the car itself is too new for me (I model PRR 1955 -1959) the load would be great. Do you make them for sale??
Please let me know . Thanks and a G R E A T J O B!!!!
Tom
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Josh Straub
January 31, 2016
Blaine,
As usual, the result is perfect. Your attention to detail and high standards are second to none. What I find most remarkable is your high level of productivity despite such perfectionism. I too have perfectionism and high standards, but it prevents me from completing most projects, because I never know when to call it “good enough”. I can always thinks of ways to improve it and have a hard time accepting less than the best possible result.
How do you manage this dichotomy successfully?
Thanks for your time.