Hi everyone. I am a new member but I have been "lurking" for a while on MLS. I've had a small collection of large scale trains for a couple of years.http://www.bigriverlines.com/Modelmaker/Big_River_Lines_site/BRRR/Basic_Freight_Car/Basic_Cars.html
Though I have built many airplanes, figures, boats and scale armor (most of it 25+ years ago), both kits and scratch built, I am new to building train models, inspired mostly by the fantastic model making projects here. Many thanks for sharing all the excellent work!
Earlier this spring I decided to build two flat cars, which are now pretty much completed, and a tank car for which only the frame is finished.
Found some plans online at the Big River Lines website,
HERE.
I re-drew them full size by hand to suit my purposes - I'm using Kadee 830 couplers and Delton trucks, and am working in roughly 1/24 scale. I didn't want to make an exact copy of a prototype - I get bogged down in research. So, these are fictitious, freelance cars. For reference I used the Wayne Spence flat car article here on MLS, and plans for a Ma & Pa flat car I found on the Cumberland Model Engineering website. I'm sure I've got some details wrong and have made some mistakes but I hope those of you who are more knowledgeable will point me in the right direction.
After re-drawing the plans, I made a cut list, cut stock from white pine on my table saw, and made parts for 8 car frame "kits". As stated I've made two into flat cars, and am making one into a really basic tank car. I plan to eventually make the others into whatever types I decide I need.
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Here are bundled side and center sills for 8 cars plus bagged frame parts and decking for one of the flat cars.
![Image]()
Parts for one flat car (less side sills, center sills and decking).
![Image]()
Frame mostly assembled on the plan. The queen posts are brass square-profile brads. Years ago a friend gave me a jar of about 5000 of these. I file a groove in the heads for the truss rods to sit in.
Though I have built many airplanes, figures, boats and scale armor (most of it 25+ years ago), both kits and scratch built, I am new to building train models, inspired mostly by the fantastic model making projects here. Many thanks for sharing all the excellent work!
Earlier this spring I decided to build two flat cars, which are now pretty much completed, and a tank car for which only the frame is finished.
Found some plans online at the Big River Lines website,
HERE.
I re-drew them full size by hand to suit my purposes - I'm using Kadee 830 couplers and Delton trucks, and am working in roughly 1/24 scale. I didn't want to make an exact copy of a prototype - I get bogged down in research. So, these are fictitious, freelance cars. For reference I used the Wayne Spence flat car article here on MLS, and plans for a Ma & Pa flat car I found on the Cumberland Model Engineering website. I'm sure I've got some details wrong and have made some mistakes but I hope those of you who are more knowledgeable will point me in the right direction.
After re-drawing the plans, I made a cut list, cut stock from white pine on my table saw, and made parts for 8 car frame "kits". As stated I've made two into flat cars, and am making one into a really basic tank car. I plan to eventually make the others into whatever types I decide I need.
Here are bundled side and center sills for 8 cars plus bagged frame parts and decking for one of the flat cars.
Parts for one flat car (less side sills, center sills and decking).
Frame mostly assembled on the plan. The queen posts are brass square-profile brads. Years ago a friend gave me a jar of about 5000 of these. I file a groove in the heads for the truss rods to sit in.
