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

I wonder what kind of alloy the frame is cast of. The thought of it being bent that much and then bending it back, it must be pretty soft and malleable. Thats a good thing as long as it dont break. All too often metal alloys in the modeling arena just breaks. I can understand the reluctance to bend it very much at all.

 

Actually it isn't really bent that much (usually less that 1/8" overall at maximum from end to end) and the alloy is malleable enough that bending it isn't a problem. It is believed the bend occurs when the diecast underframe is ejected from the mold by pins that push out of the mold in the center section.

Attached are two pictures showing the underframe and car top. Sorry for the poor picture quality of the first.

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One of the local modelers that worked in a foundry stated that a possible cause of the bend could be to the diecast piece having been ejected from the die before cooling sufficiently, and thus allowing the casting to cool unevenly, resulting in the anomaly.

 

How to weather these cars thanks to Stephen at Class One Model Works.