Bill Pratt Wrote:
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> Stewart,
>At Chama we completely rebuilt a flat car upside down, and then flipped it over to sit it on
> it's trucks. Was much easier installing the truss rods, bolsters, couplers, and brake components
> that way.
>
> Bill
Hi Bill,
You're right, I saw the photos of the flatcar rebuild and it looks like things went well.
This will be the 6th freight car that we have rebuilt and building the frame upside down is the key to easy assembly.
We will set the bolsters, needle beams, queen posts and truss rods first. Our overhead crane makes moving and
flipping the frame over pretty easy. Once we are ready to true the frame, the work bench flatcar is rolled out and
the new frame leveled on blocking. When everything is true, we wind in on the cross brace irons and truss rods. Afterward,
the frame can be flipped over and set on it's trucks. Just gotta get the insulation and heat finished so the whole place is warm
instead of just the end near the shop stove.
Stewart