Does anyone have any recommendations for flush-deck intermodal flats that would fit a 1975-1985 timeline?
I have a few of the athearn BB ones that have a A-line end weights added. But between the flimsy and cantankourus hitches, warped decks, and other issuses (the A-line reduce the minimuim radius a lot); I wonder if there is something better.
I don’t expect these cars to go around 18" radius, but prefferably something that can go around 24" and run reliably when empty. Collapsable hitches and end plates aren’t required but they are a bonus, as would be being able to carry containers.
Packer, I have retired allof my Athearn F89 flats to background props with pipe loads for the very reasons you mentioned. My flat of choice are the Walthers versions and I am eyeing the Atlas version for a possible purchase.
The Walthers come with metal wheels, a good coupler system (although some had to have KDs installed to replace the OEM coupler), positionable hitches (flat or up). All of the trucks had to be disassembled and reamed to get the free rolling needed.
I have yet to try the newer Athearn RTR flats with containers and trailers. Can’t shake the memories of their BB version’s miserable performance.