USWX (Waste Management) MSW Flatcars

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mtrpls

mtrpls

Ignorance is Patriotic
Well, in preparation for Atlas' upcoming release of the MSW containers, I have been busy constructing a fleet of flatcars based on prototype cars. A variety of former TOFC cars are used to carry these containers, although the TOFC cars are the least common type of car (the 85' open-deck flatcars are the most common).

I have identified several former TOFC cars that are used in MSW service, particularly a series of silver USWX cars that can sometimes be spotted in Waste Management trash trains. Each flatcar is based off of a prototype photo.

Many of you know that I do things in "batches", and there are 12 cars in this batch. The cars are heavily-modified Athearn 85' general purpose flatcars. Modifications included removing the molded-on pads on the deck of the flat where trailer bogies would sit, removing the cargo tie-downs from the side sill of the car, stripping, painting, creating custom decals, adding semi-scale Kadee shelf couplers (modified into Type E couplers with a bottom shelf only), and adding air hoses. And of course, weathering.

Even with all of the heavy modifications, I elected to ignore some details that are seen on the prototype cars. The prototype flats have small cut-outs and fenders above the trucks on the side sill of the car. I took a "good enough for me" approach and decided not to model this, given time constraints and the challenges inherent in adding these details. I'm not entering these cars to win any modeling contests, so I don't have any reservations about them not being 100% prototypically accurate.

Well, without further ado, please enjoy these photos!

USWX 20016

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USWX 20053

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USWX 20073

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USWX 20183

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USWX 20102

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USWX 20000

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USWX 20180

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USWX 20006

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USWX 20139

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USWX 20199

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USWX 20044

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USWX 20186

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^^^ All patiently waiting for the Atlas MSW containers :-)

Some more random photos and close-ups:

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Hope you all enjoyed!
 
NICE WORK! I always love to see your projects. That WM truck with the updated wheels looks amazing as well. When are you going to weather that bugger?

I have one each of the WM & CRS trucks, and plan to get 3 more WM and at least one mre CRS, and swap some cabs with some Ricks Decals Mack MR cabs.
 


Good looking work, especially the patch jobs and weathering. I've never seen these in use on a prototype. How are the containers loaded and unloaded and how are they sercured on the flats?
 
Thanks for the comments! The containers are usually loaded onto the flatcars using a Kalmar crane or something similar. They are secured to the flatcars using either steel pegs - welded onto the deck of the flatcar - that mount into the bottom of the containers (the containers are built to ISO standards) or container pedestals. A variety of flatcar types are used to haul MSW containers, so the mounting apparatus depends on the flatcar type.
 
These flats look well done. I really like the weathering you did. Thanks for posting.

Josh - what are the WM & CRS trucks you mentioned?

Dave
 


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