Manufacturer
ExactRail
251 W. River Park Dr., Ste. 300
Provo, UT 84604
www.exactrail.com
Era: 2005 to present
Road names: TTX (“Forward Thinking” herald or black rectangle herald with three white or five yellow reflective stripes). Multiple road numbers per scheme.
Comments: A common modern-era bulkhead flatcar is now available as a superdetailed model from ExactRail. The injection-molded plastic model, based on a TrentonWorks (The Greenbrier Companies) prototype, features modeler-installed laser-cut wood bulkhead faces, etched-metal crossover platforms, and wire and brass parts. Instructions for installing the wood parts are printed on a small card included with the model.
The model’s dimensions closely follow prototype data in the January 2010 Official Railway Equipment Register. The distance over the pulling faces is a scale foot too long, which is typical on most models.
The flatcar’s deck features molded tie-down detail and a white stripe indicating the centerline. The stake pockets are open and will accommodate scale 4 x 4 stripwood or styrene.
The underbody has a separate plastic control valve, brake cylinder, and air reservoir. The brake lever supports and rods are formed wire.
To make room for the sheet metal weight located between the center sill and the bottom of the car, some crosstie detail was omitted. I was impressed with the air hose bracket detail on the bottom of the draft-gear box covers. The covers are glued to the box, but gentle prying with a screwdriver will break the joint should the couplers need to be replaced. The trucks are screw-mounted to the bolster.
The yellow paint is evenly applied, and the printing is tack sharp. The car’s reporting mark, road number, and paint code information are printed on both sides of the center sill.
At 3.4 ounces, the flatcar is 2.35 ounces too light based on National Model Railroad Association Recommend Practice 20.1. There’s room between the edge of the weight and the sills to add more weight if you’re willing to cover underbody details. The Kadee no. 156 knuckle couplers are at the correct height, though the trip pins are not installed because they’d snag on the plastic air hoses. The 36″ metal wheelsets are correctly gauged.
ExactRail has done an excellent job capturing the lines of this modern bulkhead flatcar. This car is a common sight on prototype railroads throughout North America, and would look right at home on any layout from 2005 to the present.
