Does anyone know where I might be able to find a commercial source for generic data for use on logging flat cars? They would need work on the Walthers logging cars. I have checked the Microscale site and have struck out. I have also struck out on Walthers’ site. I am not very familiar with any of the smaller companies that I sometimes see mentioned in MR. If need be, I can design and order custom decals, but if there are commercial ones available, I would prefer using one of those. Thank you in advance for any suggestions that I receive.
I can not be sure, but I think the MRR Information Station Article “Modeling Logging Railroads Vol. 3: Projects by Jack Work” has something about them.
A lot of logging equipment on isolated small logging railroads lacked most of the typical dimensional data – it just wasn’t necessary. Are you sure your (real or imagined) prototype would have used dimensional data on logging flat cars in the era you are modeling?
The cars show a new date of 4-72, so they are fairly modern cars. (As mentioned in my first post, they are the modern Walthers logging cars.) I need to redo them to match the area my railroad operates in. The railroad would classify as a modern short line
I didn’t remember the era of the Walthers cars off-hand (and you didn’t mention it in your original post).
I think the Walthers models were introduced in 1998 or 1999 and represent log cars in common carrier service, which often implies interchange between railroads. That’s why they have full dimensional data. If your shortline will be interchanging the cars with another railroad, then you’ll need the data. If they are in captive service on your shortline alone, they would not.
Depending on how precise you wish to be, you could use dimensional data from another flat car decal set that was close in overall length. Or if your shortline is small and under-funded, just “patch out” the original roadname with paint and apply your shortline roadname,leaving the dimensional data intact. This happened a lot with real rolling stock acquired second-hand, so it would add some history to the cars.