Wheels of Time N 50163 General Purpose Flat Car, Western Pacific #2238

Western Pacific, WP Shops, STK 10-78, Black

In October 1978, Western Pacific Railroad stretched their 1953 home-built 50' flatcars originally numbered 2701-2802. WP Stockton Shops added three and half feet to meet shippers load accommodations. These cars also received roller bearing trucks replacing the original plain bearing ones.

These 53'-6" flatcars were constructed with a welded fish belly steel frame in contrast to the cast steel GSI frame. The fish belly frame provided an optimal distribution of tension and compression forces from the center of the car to the bolsters. Think of it as a bridge. In addition, fabricating a welded frame was far less labor intensive than an equivalent riveted frame. The welded frame proved extremely durable holding up to rugged service. As these flat cars aged-out due to ARR interchange age limit, they found its way into many years in maintenance-of-way service. A number of builders constructed these flat cars such as the Pacific Car & Foundry (P.C. & F.), Marine Industries (Canada), Pullman-Standard, Bethelehem Steel, and including railroad car shops such as the Western Pacific.

They were designated as FM by the AAR mechanical people. They carried anything bulky that can't be placed in a box car - from finished lumber to machinery equipment.

Features:
Properly weighed cars for smooth derailment-free running
Proper ride height
Body-mounted knuckle couplers
33" metal wheels for smooth rolling
Internal steel plate so loads can be attached with magnets
Extra fine details
Sharp paint, lettering, car numbers to match the real thing
Multiple car numbers for fleet owners for realistic train operations