Class One Model Works SLSF #3900 GSC Depressed Center Flat Car

Class One Model Works announced that they will be producing GSC Depressed Center Flat Cars including the SLSF #3900. It is available for pre-order; https://classonemodelworks.com/product/gsc-heavy-duty-flatcar-slsf-frisco/
The frame is all metal with full brake gear rigging in the under-deck. I have seen a pre-production sample and it is amazing. Some of the other road versions have open grating instead of the wood deck.

 

This is a link to a Youtube video that was released today where Mike Brusky talks in detail about the prototype cars and the models:

 

I was able to pick up the two models I had ordered directly from Stephen at the Class One Model Works office yesterday. The craftsmanship is extraordinary. It is very nicely weighted and rolls nicely; 3.3 ounces.
Here are some pictures of the Frisco model:


I encourage everyone to seriously consider ordering one of these excellent Frisco models (build date 5 - 53).

Note: they also have an additional mark SF 1 - 73 designating when the trucks were converted to roller bearings. Class One will be offering friction bearing versions of the trucks separately soon for back-dating the car to the original build date.


I also ordered a Soo Line model because it has the open grid plates over the ends instead of the wood decking and you can see the brake gear and air lines beneath;



Yesterday I helped the crew at Class One Model Works pick, pack and label a lot of these cars for shipping out today. They will be busy doing more of the same.

 

Related to the Frisco Depressed Center Flat Car, I also got a couple of the loads from Class One Model Works. I chose a "modern version" transformer and an industrial pump model as loads. Both were based on photos that the folks at Class One had found in photo collections. Both models are cast resin pieces that are very nicely done.

 

Thats a rather significant bend there.

 

My Frisco model had a very slight similar bow. So with the car well between the index finger and thumb on each hand and I pushed down on the top of the car above the truck bolster to gently bend it. There was a little pop or crackle sound and mine leveled out. My Soo Line model was flat out of the box.
I will get with Stephen Priest to apprise him of the situation.

 

This is the response I got from Stephen to a personal email:

"The bottom of the car is a relatively soft-metal casting to provide weight for the car. It appears that the manufacturer did not check to see if the metal weight on some cars was bent or twisted.
The styrene body will simply conform to the shape of the weight, thus if the weight was bent when the car was assembled then the entire car will take on the bent shape.
So, simply grab the car well between the index finger and thumb on each hand and push down on the top of the car above the truck bolster to gently bend. The cars will straighten and stay straightened."

Pretty much what I did.

 

I did not state that they would release a back-dated car. I said they will offer friction bearing trucks (separately) so you could back-date the existing model. One would remove or obscure the SF 1-73 (date that they were converted to roller bearing in Springfield and remove the ACI label.

 

This morning until about 30 minutes ago, I volunteered and joined the crew at Class One Model Works to begin going through all of the GSC Depressed Center Flat Cars that they have received but not yet shipped. We checked them thoroughly. Less than 10% seemed to have any issue. We fixed those and they are ready to continue shipping. The adjustment is just as simple as I had indicated and as Stephen told me.

 

Mike, if you are going to the show, you can take your car with you if you have not already adjusted it. They will be happy to fix it for you.

For those of you that have received a car with the issue, there will be an email coming to all those whose cars shipped previously. That email will have link to a video showing how to adjust the car.