The Lonely Flatcar

[SavaTheAggie]

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My entry into the Railyard Telegraph game - The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad flatcar #21158.

Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad flatcar #21158 is a heavyweight flatcar built in 1909.

In 1929 in Marble, Colorado, #21158 was used to haul the largest of the blocks of marble used to carve the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington DC. The raw, uncut block of marble weighed in at 55 tons, and was the largest single block of marble ever transported by rail. The marble block was then transported to Vermont where it would be then carved for the final tomb design.

At some point, #21158 was purchased by the Galveston Railroad Museum. It has been used in the past as part of the museum's holiday festivities, carrying children and visitors as part of a hay ride train. Today the flatcar sits at the very edge of the Museum's property - alone. Few visitors ever walk that far out, as the paved sidwalk ends before you get there. Save for a small paper sign there is no indication of its significance to Railroad or American history. I feel a bit sad for the lonely flatcar, as I think its deserving of more attention than it attracts.

Building the marble block was the most obvious load for this little flatcar, but a big white box is a bit boring. So I decided to go a little further - within the marble block is a MOC that unfolds into a micro scale version of Santa Fe Union Station, home to the Galveston Railroad museum on Galveston Island. Parked at the micro station is a pair of passenger trains pulled by two F7 units. One F7 is painted in the Texas Limited livery, representing the two F7 Texas Limited locomotives the real museum lost when Hurricane Ike rampaged over Galveston. The other F7 is painted in the Santa Fe Warbonnet livery which represents the pair of Warbonnets the museum recently acquired to replace the two lost Texas Limited F7s.

In addition there are 20 1x4 tan plates which I included in case Matthew, the next in line for the Telegraph game, wanted to display the car with the boards installed on the sides.

The Railyard Telegraph game requires a hobo as well - so I chose a hobo that represented my area. He's clad in gaudy beach wear and a long beard, ready to go fishing off the nearest pier.

--Tony

[opn2]

Edited September 27, 2014 by opn2

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Great wagon, I like the shape and the decals on the side.

The micro scale of Santa Fe union station is amazing compared to your previous Cad project of the same station in HO scale!

[Pizzareno]

I love this. I always struggle to build flat wagons as mine end up looking so boring but this looks fantastic!

I just want to know is it dark red or brown for the base of the wagon? I'm having a hard time distinguishing that.

[opn2]

Edited September 27, 2014 by opn2

[Man with a hat]

Amazing how you make such a simple looking yet difficult to make subject absolutely great.

[Heavy2600]

Looks Great! Reminds me of my old Lionel Santa Fe flatcars from the 50's.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Heavy2600

[elicend]

simple but pleasant

Great freit

[cgarison]

Really nice detail. I expect this could become a new standard for flatcars in the community!