Making your own flat cars for model railroads

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

I used to scratch build RC sailing boats and motor boats so I have a lot of spare timber and stuff left over that I can do exactly the same as you do in this video for my HO scale flat cars that I am going to 3D print shortly and others that I can buy second hand. I love the idea of making different loads for wagons and flat cars that not everyone has, it is also great to see someone restraining their loads as not many modellers do that. I would also love to see a video of your flat cars with stuff you have made and put on them... Thanks from Melbourne Australia. Tim.

[@YMXMD]

Love it, don't let anything go to waste 😀

[@robertcornelius3514]

Great job on your creations.

[@w.rustylane5650]

You've mounted the coupler box (draft box) upside down as I usually do so the lip of the draft box rests against the frame. After doing 80 pieces of rolling stock, I found I was mounting everything upside down. The little lip is supposed to be in the downward position. However, it all came out okay. Enjoyed the video and I do Lionel 027 scale so this would apply to Lionel 027 as well. I don't think I'd have enough patience to cut those apart and reglue them together. Since 027 scale is close to S scale I could just use the S scale cars as is with added wooden planking to the deck and changing out the wheel sets and trucks. Cheers - eastern TN

[@YMXMD]

if you do make the O27 version, send pictures

[@allenlandis4504]

thank you for sharing this I have some S scale flat cars just like that I want to convert to On30

[@w.rustylane5650]

So you're doing this for ON30 which uses HO scale track for narrow gauge. I'm looking for info on how to make HO scale flatcars. I certainly like the wood you've added for the deck. Makes it look more realistic. Where do you get those coffee stir sticks? I need some for a scratch build I'm doing. I've got a bottle of 75% alcohol & black acrylic paint I use for my black wash. I've never thought of using shoe polish. Does it dissolve in the alcohol readily? I use my home made rust I make from 0000 steel wool in a quart jar and fill it up with vinegar & set it in the kitchen window for about a month. After the steel wool dissolves, I pour the mixture out into a 11X14 stainless photo processing tray and wait for it to completely dry. Then using a single edged razor blade I pulverize it into a powder and store it in little snuff tins. Each batch comes out a different color of rust. Looks great when made into a wash with alcohol and a little soluble glycerin. I don't care for plastic couplers that are glued on albeit I have done it for Kadee couplers. I only us Kadee's with screws as I hate it when pulling a long consist to leave a coupler laying on the track because the glue let go. I also use a drop of super glue on the head of the screw next to the bottom of the draft box to ensure the screw doesn't move. Cheers from eastern TN

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Fantastic video thank for the information on how to make flat car losds

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

How do you mak o gauge flat csrs