Flatcar Origin

[Railroad Pony]

I have a heavy duty flat I just aquired. The base model was made by Charles Ro. The span bolsters are made of wood. Was this a prototype or a short run of these cars?

 

[Iron Horseman]

I have a heavy duty flat I just aquired. The base model was made by Charles Ro. The span bolsters are made of wood. Was this a prototype or a short run of these cars?

Hmmm, don't know for certain but freight cars in the 1860s & 70s were about that long.

 

[Railroad Pony]

I was wondering if it was a Charles Ro prototype or if they might have made these as a special, short run.
I'm goinv to sed if I can get the span bolsters 3D printed and make a couple more cars.

 

[bnsf971]

Wooden span bolsters indicate an aftermarket conversion.

 

[Railroad Pony]

Delton's prototype builder used wood and resin castings on their prototypes. I have the prototype car used when they started making the combine car and it has a wood roof and sides made of scribed plastic.
I wonder if this Ro car might have been the same? Wood bolster used to see if would work before making the plastic mold or if only a handful was going to be made as a limited run?