LIn 1959 Frisco had Puulman Standard build up the prototype of what would become the 3000 series auto carriers (12 full size cars). After on line testing in 1960 the Frisco ordered and placed into service 130 carriers. Concurrently, Frisco had their shops build 16 4 auto carriers to built on 40' flat cars eventually owning 41 cars. For my model I used a Red Caboose 40' flat car. For dimensions the length and width were automatic. Since the only true length I could use for the height was the near corner of the flat in the photo I used it and using dividers I was able get the dimension. I used Evergreen styrene shapes exclusively. Since I was only working off the one photo a lot of the angles are"that looks pretty close" modeling. I chose 10"channel for the runners and the verticals with 4" angle iron for the knee braces. Since I couldn't see the flooring I opted for flat sheets with 2" angle for the guides. The ladders are CV, the stirrups are Tichy, and the tie-downs and handrails are bent wire Just another model for cars uniquely Frisco. Larry F.
Excellent work. That type of auto carrier is perfect for small layouts set in the same time frame. Would work good for my "Early 1960's" era... but I'm too lazy to scratch-bash such a creation! Andre
Nice! Will be a definite eye-catcher as most folks have no idea the big, long auto carriers started a much smaller efforts back in the day. Ken
Speaking of auto carriers, has anyone tried to backdate any of the currently available more modern models by removing the vandal screens? Thanks, Tom G.
Tom, Accurail makes an auto carrier which can be built as a 2 or 3 decker. With a little modification as far as post spacing you can make a credible model. I mainly use the Molo book for reference. The photo shows how I modified one of the kits.
I want to thank each and everyone for the likes and compliments. It means a lot to me! The only thing I couldn't find in researching this car was the Frisco's logic in constructing these cars (4 autos) when the 3000s (12 autos) were on the rails--anyone know?
Perhaps utilizing existing equipment and supplies and using available shop forces. Back then managers tried to figure out projects for workers instead of laying them off! For example, the steam engine rebuilding projects of the 1930's and on into the 1940's. Tom G.
Fabulous job, Larry. Nice job modeling a unique piece of Frisco-built rolling stock. I enjoyed reading the construction details, too. If you have any in-progress photos of the construction, I'd enjoy seeing those as well. Best Regards,
Larry, Fine job on the Accurail car! How did you attach the top railing to each post? It appears that a hole was drilled and an eye bolt glued in and a wire passed through. If that is the case, could you provide info on this. Most appreciated! John
John, for once in a project I actually thought it through to the end. I predrilled the top of the post with a #78 bit before I erected the car I then put a touch of super glue on the end of Detail Associate short shank eye bolts (Walthers #229-2206) and glued them in. Just make sure they're at 90 degrees. After the car was built and painted I ran .006(?) wire through the eyes and a dab of glue on the end eyes finishes it--fairly easy, just tedious. Larry Keith, I'll try to get my models down to Doc's and leave them for awhile. Larry
Let's see. 24 post per car x 10 cars, I will probably develop arthritic condition. But I am going to do it anyway. It looks too neat not to. I probably don't have to weather the cars, they will weather themselves by the time they get done!!! John
I got to interview Richard C. Grayson in his Clayton, MO office years ago. I included part of the interview in FMIG LINES 116, the last issue. His story was riding his business car down in MS once and seeing a lot of truck go by carrying new autos and asking all the VPs aboard to come up with ideas for getting some of the auto transport business away from the truckers. They planned it that day - on the business car. They did some prototyping using flat cars, flats with racks (like your model), and loaned personal autos. The tests showed that autos were very light loads and that any resulting flat car would need ballast. Number 3000, in the National Museum of Transport had concrete poured into the center beam for added weight. The prototyping experiment worked, and they let the contract for PS to build additional 2- and 3-deck flats. I modeled the first production 3-decker by scratch building racks to fit the Athearn piggy back 83' flat. I even drew up the lettering in AutoCad and sent it to Tom Stolte of Oddballs Decals. I had earlier suggested a decal set while riding the bus to layout tours at the Valley Forge NMRA National convention. Tom was hard to mis identify. He's 7' tall. Tom said something to the effect that he doubted they'd sell very well, but to send him artwork and he'd "think" about it. I entered 3001 for judging at a regional NMRA meet in Michigan and got a merit award. It was ironic that they scored it low for lettering even though I put on the form that I supplied the artwork. Mike Budde, in St. Louis, has used that decal set a lot. We are buddies on Facebook. There is another interesting story from the early days of the open auto racks. The teamsters didn't like the competition, so one of their members, who lived in my home town of Dixon MO, got a lot of acid and poured it from the Helm overpass just west of Dixon one evening - probably on 437 or 33. It was in 1959 or 1960, because I was commuting between Dixon and Rolla for college then. Every evening, driving to Dixon from Rolla, we'd see the Frisco's special agent following 437 on the parallel roads. I knew him from my Boy Scouting days - he was the Newburg Scoutmaster. Agent Clapper. I don't think the teamster was ever caught. We from Dixon knew it was Bob Taft. Mr. Grayson said the railroad had to purchase that load of damaged autos, and all the company officers drove new Chryslers for the next few years. Why can I remember stuff from 55 years ago but not what I ate for dinner last night? Doug
Doug - I'd much rather have the 55-year-old story than a description of last night's dinner fare. Our druthers may not necessarily diminish your frustration at the "selective memory." The story of the railroad police following the train is interesting, especially when I consider that I was still seeing open auto racks in Chaffee in the late 70s, if not early 80s. Or at least that's what my selective memory tells me. I was usually more interested seeing if I could get the brakeman and conductor to wave to me from the caboose. Neither here nor there, but I find myself using reader glasses for all close-up necessities: modeling, reading, fly-tying, stamp collecting. Now I have two pairs of glasses that I can misplace. Best Regards,
I had read (or heard of the) story that the Frisco bought the damaged automobiles and put them to use. I thought that was VERY clever! Tom G.
I lived by the railroad in 1969 at Brookline, MO (First siding west of Springfield) and one evening a train with auto racks was passing by and I noticed the interior lights were on in several of the autos. I called the special agent in Springfield because I thought there might be trespassers riding. The agent told me it was probably only the motion of the train that had jostled the lights on?? So much for trying to be a good citizen... Tom G.
