Wheels of Time N 50187 General Purpose Bulkhead Flat Cars, Southern Pacific (3)

Southern Pacific, GBEC 1964, Bulkhead Flatcar, Class F-70-12-R, Stencil date 3-78, ACI label

In 1977-1978, Southern Pacific shops rebuilt 66 (1963-64 built) SP Class F-70-12 flatcars with bulkheads like the originally built GBEC SP Class F-70-26 bulkhead flatcars. They were renumbered as SP 507733-507799 series and with an added "R" to its original class. They were 48'-6" between bulkheads.

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