Today I am reviewing a 4 truck, 8 axle depressed center flat car by Walthers Gold Line. The product is available as single cars or two packs in five different paint schemes. Mine is a single car, Trailer Train QTTX 130556. In the real world, these cars are used to move big and heavy loads. When something big needs to be moved, the railroad is the only practical way to do it. Having 8 axles on the car helps to spread the weight on the rails. Taller loads may present a problem for vertical clearances, so some cars, like the one I bought, have a depressed center so the load sits lower in the car. This also helps with loading and unloading because the cargo doesn't need to be raised as high to get it on the car. However, because the car is so low, the braking system does not fit under the car and is instead placed on platforms at either end of the car.
Cosmetics:
This car is detailed well. Both brake platforms have safety treads and include the proper brake details, minus piping. There are hitches on the deck to securely mount whatever cargo the car is carrying. Ladders are molded into the car body. Lettering is crisp and clear and all of it can be read. The paint is smooth, but paint lines are not as well defined as they could be. The car is mostly yellow, but the reporting marks are on a black background which does not have a perfectly clear line from the yellow. The deck is gray with two white areas, and the same problem exists there. The car comes with brake wheels, brake wheel stands, and grab irons that must be installed by the modeler. The brake wheel apparatus is molded in appropriate colors, however the grab irons are bare metal.
Operation:
The car is equipped with metal wheelsets and Proto Max knuckle couplers, and a set of hornhook couplers is included in the box. The car body is die cast metal, making it heavy even when it is empty. It weighs in at 7.34 ounces, quite a bit heavier than the NMRA recommended 6.25 ounces. However, in the real world this car is often run as its own train, so the extra weight would not matter if you are following this practice on the model.
Overall, I think this is a great model. I installed the brake wheels with ease, but I have not installed the grab irons yet. It is missing brake piping, so between that and adding a load and weathering the car, it should be a fun and simple superdetailing project. I am confident this car will look great hauling heavy loads on any layout.
Walthers Gold Line 81' 4-Truck Depressed Center Flat Car
Walthers Product Number 932-5620
QTTX (Trailer Train) 130556
MSRP $37.98
2 comments:
What scale?
This is an HO scale model.
Post a Comment