Model Railroading > Prototype for Ahtearn 4 Truck Hevy duty flat?

Athearn four truck heavy duty flatcar: Is there a prototype or is this one of Uncle Al's I want it so I made it cars?

I have seen, both photos and in person the prototypes of the Walther's car...

Thanks for any information.....

Paul Liddiard
Spanish Fork, UT

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Found this PRR one that may have been inspiration for Irv Athearn's model... http://arrts-arrchives.com/images3/WF1939FrtCs.jpg

SP also had cars very much like the PRR one in the photo, and most likely were the inspiration for the model. Unfortunately the thick side sill was a compromise of the time to hide the metal weight and still allow for the underframe parts.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

If I recall ancient history correctly this car was based on a PRR heavy duty flat car, but I don't think Irv Athearn ever made it in PRR scheme--something that always bugged me. I also remember seeing a very similar car in SP paint at the Unit-Shop by the CSRM with newly-shopped SP 1000 strapped on top going to a new industrial hauler, when the SP and CSRM brass got into a p*****g contest over the terms of its donation. Correct me if I am wrong with any of this as my memory is getting rather foggy.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/11 13:59 by railwaybaron.

Yes, it looks like a similar design to the PRR class F34 flatcars (only 3 were built).

http://prr.railfan.net/freight/classpage.html?class=F34



There is also a similar car owned by NS in the last photo on this page:

http://www.trainweb.org/phillynrhs/RPOTW070701.html