I got some athearn piggy/tructrain type flats ,there nice but the detail of the flats seem crude . then I seen one in the weekend picture post that looked very authentic. so I was wondering if any had detailed out flats for trailer service and what they added ? I’m thinking of early units where a 40-50’ flat would of been the norm .
did they use a fithwheel hitch? Ive seen some with a metal tire guide/rail running the length of the flatcar any one have Pict’s or input or a parts list ? thanks in advance Jerry
You might be interested ni Kalmbach’s downloadable compilation of Trains Magazine articles on early Piggyback service.
http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-railroading-digital-downloads-trains-express-downloadable-articles.html
7/5/17 Seach products for “Piggyback” to find several books.
Jerry, this is how I converted some PRR F30A flat cars to TOFC, (Trailer On Flat Car). I slotted some old rail and CA’d it to the sides. Then, I added a fifth wheel hitch. Then, I added the ramps, one in front and one in rear, on opposite sides, they are movable. I made some eyebolts from small minnow rigs, and used some small chain for tie downs. After the trailer was secured, I made some small triangular wheel chocks from wood. Here’s a few photos. DJ.
I thought what I seen was yours ,thanks,great picts…Jerry
BIG JERR,
First off the info another poste suggested from our host is a good place to start, but I will give you a few basics.
In the earliest days of piggy back the hitches did not exist, not invented and put in service until 1955 and later.
Before that screw jacks were used to support the fifth wheel of the trailer and lots chains, binders and wheel chocks.
The hitches do not require any chains or other binders - that was the whole point of their invention.
First, 35’ trailers or two 26’ trailers on 53-6" flat cars. That is what the Athearn model represents but it is not exactly to scale nor is it finely detailed. Walthers made a GSC flat car years ago that came with all the correct piggyback detail parts - hard to find now.
The appearence of the Athearn cars can be greatly improved with a few simple tricks, it all depends on how far you want to go.
I will try to put up a few pictures later, I have converted some 70 plus Athearn 50’ piggy back flats to my more detailed version - but again they are still “freelanced”. I redue the rub rails, add bridge plates, and modify the 26’ vans to make them more correct. I don’t worry about the really fine detail.
Only a few railroads used 40’ flats to carry single 35’ vans, but is was done and I have plans for few in the future.
Sheldon
Here are a few picture, please excuse the quailty, I still don’t really get this camera stuff.
None of these have been weathered yet, and again the picture quality is so so, but I hope you can see what was done.
Remember, early piggy back flats were all “home built” so the variations of details are endless. The only way to be “dead on” is find early phots and model that one car!
There is a far amount of info out there, it all depends on how work you want to do.
But the pictures I have posted are “representive” of what piggy back was like in the early 50’s.
Sheldon
thanks sheldon: good info and Great picts . I do have a question for you or grampy ,what are you useing for your bridgeing from car to car (drop downs ) ? and I have some of the 35 classic metal work trailers but the total width @ the rear axels are a bit wider than the athearns 26 trailers ,have you noticed that ? I do think I like the fiffth wheel look and Im shooting for 1960…Jerry
DJ- Great modeling as always.
Thanks, Curt. Jerry, I used some that came with a 3 in 1 kit, also included the hitch. I also used some from later intermodal cars that were too new for my era. DJ.
Yes the Athearn 26’ vans are a little under sized. I bought a bunch of the Athearn parts for their 85’ flat cars to get the bridge plates, and some I just make from plastic.
Those parts come with hitches as well if Athearn still sells them.
Sheldon