The MTH car is based on a prototype Pullman-Standard built in the 1960s and ’70s for Trailer Train, and accurately matches photos and dimensions printed in the 1977 Simmons-Boardman Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia. Designed to haul agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and other such bulky vehicles, the flatcar has four channels down the length of its planked deck. Attachments can be secured in these channels to tie down a variety of loads. The model comes with a 15″ length of scale chain and eight plastic simulated load adjusters for modelers who want to accurately model these tie-downs.
Our sample was painted Armour Yellow and decorated for the Union Pacific. The paint was smooth and even and the printing was crisp. Even the tiny white lettering in the black Clean Oil Test and Stencil (COTS) panel was legible under magnification. Well done!
The UP owned a 60-foot agricultural equipment flatcar bearing the number of our car; however, the real no. 52084 was more than a foot narrower, according to the 1976 Official Railway Equipment Register. The MTH model more closely matches the dimensions of UP’s car series numbered 52500-52599.
The car is lighter than the National Model Railroad Association’s recommended practice, but that’s to be expected for a flatcar, which has few places to hide weight. The load helps bring it closer to the recommendation.
Flatcars give the modeler the ability to add interesting looking loads to their consists. The MTH car would be a great-looking addition to any HO scale freight car fleet from 1964 to today.
Price: $29.95; with load, $34.95
Manufacturer
M.T.H. Electric Trains
7020 Columbia Gateway Dr.
Columbia, MD 21046
www.mthhotrains.com
Road names: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; BNSF Ry.; Burlington Northern; Canadian National; Great Northern; Southern Ry.; Trailer Train; and Union Pacific.
Era: 1964 to present
Features
Detailed brake equipment
Insulated, blackened-metal wheelsets, in gauge
Kadee-compatible magnetic knuckle couplers at correct height
Minimum operating radius: 18″
Norscot Caterpillar construction equipment load (also available without load)
Scale metal chain, wire tie-downs, and plastic load adjusters for securing load
Simulated wood grain deck
Sprung, die-cast metal trucks
Weight: 4 ounces with load (1 ounce too light by NMRA RP-20.1), 2 ounces without load
