Manufacturer
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Ave.
Hillside, NJ 07205
www.atlasrr.com
Era: 1986 to present
Comments: A center-beam bulkhead flatcar based on a Gunderson prototype is now available from Atlas. The full-size flatcar, designed for carrying building products, was introduced in 1986 and is still in production today.
The ready-to-run model has a die-cast metal deck; plastic center beam, bulkheads, sills, and top chord; and separately applied wire grab irons. The deck is canted and doesn’t have risers, just like the full-size car.
The model’s dimensions closely match data found on The Greenbrier Co. website. At 4.2 ounces, the car is 1.8 ounces too light based on National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1. The body-mounted Accumate magnetic knuckle couplers are at the correct height, and the metal wheelsets are correctly gauged. The car’s minimum recommended radius is 22″.
The car shown is decorated for TTX. The paint is smooth and evenly applied, and the grab irons are white. Except for the builder’s label, all of the graphics are legible under magnification.
The car is also decorated for Arkansas-Oklahoma RR, BC Rail, BNSF, Canadian Pacific, Coe Rail, Columbia & Cowlitz, Tomahawk Ry., and Union Pacific. An undecorated version of the flatcar is also available.
