BOB LARIVIERE’S PAGE - Converting An AF Depressed Center Flatcar
ConnecticutSGaugers
For
Scale, Hirail and American Flyer S Gauge Model
Railroaders
Bob
LaRiviere's Page Four
Converting
An AF Depressed Center Flatcar
Bob
LaRiviere, the master craftsman of American Flyer conversions, has
created an extended depressed center flatcar. Bob kitbashed the car
using two AF depressed center flats cut and seamed together in the
center...where else. He added pony trucks to the extensions with SHS
trucks. He tapered the extension ends and added wooden slats and
storm window screens for the flooring gridwork on the extended ends.
The underbody was detailed to prototypical accuracy using information
provided by Mr. Peters who has a rail museum in Wallingford, CT. The
car was painted Tuscan and lettered with S scale transfers. Bob
explained that this car was made circa 1956 and served the GE plant
in Pittsfield, MA on the New Haven line. The car was used to ship
generators through the days of the Penn Central Railroad, and I use
that word "railroad" liberally in the context of the PC. While this
project may have given avid AF collectors a bout of angina, it is
nothing short of a masterful display of fine craftsmanship and
creativity.
