Detailing Walthers' Depressed Center Flatcar

Here's How:

1. Begin by drilling the holes for the wire brake lines. Use a No. 80 drill bit in a pin vise and work carefully. This is the most challenging step. You'll need to drill holes as follows:

   1. Air Resevoir - one hole on the center of each half facing the center of the car.
   2. Triple Valve - three holes on side facing end of car in two over one pattern.
   3. Auxilary Resevoir - one hole in each end.

   Plans of this car appeared in the July 1994 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. These plans can be used to help route the brake piping. There is additional detailing that could be done beyond the basics shown here.

2. Prepare your wire. You can purchase wire specifically for detailing projects like this in a variety of sizes. If you are a little less particular, or just a little more frugal, you can find more than enough material in a scrap of stranded electrical wire.

   If you go the latter route, strip a one inch section of wire and seperate the strands. Use small pair of cutters to remove individual strands. You can straighten and bend the wire very easily with needlenose pliers.

   If you are purchasing wire, .125 diameter wire should work well.

3. Make two wires to connect the main and emergency resevoirs (modeled together as one casting) to the triple valve.

   These wires extend out of the resevoir and make a 90 degree turn to the upper holes on the valve. You can measure the bends by inserting one end in the resevoir and bending where necessary with pliers or tweezers.

   Cut the wire to length and insert the other end in the valve. Repeat for the second wire. The two should be parallel.

4. Next make the air line from the triple valve to the auxiliary resevoir on the back of the platform.

   Follow the same technique, making right angles to direct the wire from the lower hole in the valve to the near hole in the resevoir.

5. The final wire extends from the rear of the auxiliary resevoir to the back of the end platform. This line actually continues to the brake cylenders below the platforms. You only need to extend it far enough to get out of sight.

6. Drill holes and install the wire grab irons included with Walthers' Gold Line kit. Earlier additions had molded-on grabirons. You can leave these or remove the plastic parts and install wire grabs. These can be purchased or hand-made in the same way you made the brake lines.

7. Repeat all of these steps on the other platform.

8. The wire details can be secured with glue, but painting the details should provide enough of a bond. It does not matter what kind of paint you use, just try to match the color as closely as possible to the car you're building.

   You can use a small brush or apply paint with a toothpick or small wire.

9. You could go even further and add coupler cut levers and air hose detail parts to the ends. Apply a little light weathering (these cars are well maintained and usually stay clean.)

   Of course the most obvious detail yet to be added is a load. There are commercial loads available, like Walthers' transformer, or you could make your own. Loaded or empty, this detailed car is sure to stand out in any consist.

Tips:

1. Drill holes slowly and with even pressure to avoid breaking bits. If you are working with a kit, it is easiest to drill holes before removing parts from the sprue.

What You Need

• Walthers Gold Line 4-truck Depressed Center Flatcar
• Pin Vise with No. 80 bit
• Wire
• Needlenose Pliers
• Tweezers
• Paint (match to model color)