artillery pieces for flat car load

[old pilot]

Hello all,

Computer told me to start a new topic since my last post was too old. Finally built the loads, also two for my HO scale layout. They are nothing fancy or greatly detailed as I read a long time ago, if you can't see a detail from 3' you are wasting your time. This is also my layout philosophy of just trying to create the impression of the real world.

[Fred Klein]

Great job, Old Pilot. The pictures look very realistic. If you feel like it, please post a short note on your construction techniques. It doesn't have to be too detailed, just kind of a 10-foot overview. I, for one would be very interested. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[old pilot]

Good morning Fred, and any other interested reader,

It's not too difficult, as part of my philosophy is "Keep it simple, stupid." I tell myself this whenever I contemplate any project, on or off the layout.

Choose your flatcar, check its operational reliability, weather it to your standards. I complete mine with a spray of Dullcote, but not in the coupler pocket or on the trucks and wheels for smooth operation. To keep the moderator happy, Bachmann freight cars seldom need much adjustment.

The cannons were satisfactory to me as purchased, just a spray of Dullcote. The scale 6" X 6" wheel chocks came from my scrap box as did the wooden crate which has two purposes; adding to the interest of the load and hiding some weight to give the car some heft. The thread used for O scale rope/cable came from my wife's threads box (sewer/quilter, etc.).

Position the cannons so the wheels line up (side to side) with the pockets on the side of the flatcar. The thread is weaved several times through one side pocket to give it strength of connection, through the wheels to the other side pocket. Give the thread at each pocket a touch of glue to hold it. Trim any excess when dry. Give yourself plenty of thread for weaving, makes it easier.

I did not glue the cannons or the crate to the flatcar as the thread holds them in relative position for normal handling. The wheel chocks were glued using Elmer's all purpose white glue for easy removal if I change my mind later.

That's about it. If there are any questions or someone needs further explanation due to my poor description, just ask. 

Old Pilot

[Fred Klein]

Thank you, Old Pilot for the details. Sounds to me as relatively straight-forward scratchbuild/kitbash project. Again, judging by the pictures, the cars look GREAT! One question: Where did you find the O scale canons? Thanks again,

[old pilot]

Hello Fred,

Had to do some thinking on this; not sure, but I think they came from the Bachmann On30 Civil War series cars. This was not one of the cars I saw a lot on e bay ads, so I bought it the 2nd or 3rd time I saw one listed. I originally was going to mate them with the caissons I bought earlier but changed my mind. The caissons will be waiting at the carriage industry for the arrival of the next flat car.

Hopefully, another reader can confirm or correct my fading memory.

Old Pilot

[Fred Klein]

Thank you very much Old Pilot, for the information. I will keep my eyes open on Ebay.