Flat Car length?

[ChessieFan]

I'm restarting up My Model Railroad after years (20+) of being away from it.  The Era I orginally started to Model was the Chessie System from 1972 to 1986.  My rolling stock fleet is heavy in Box Cars and coal Hoppers, but I would like broaden My rolling stock fleet.  I'm considering Flat cars, but I don't know what length I should have in My roster, 50 ft or 60 ft.  I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thank You,

[ljudice]

I'd suggest that in the Chessie era, revenue flatcars were probably becoming dominantly 60 footers, although 52-53' cars would probably be pretty common - and transitioning into maintenance of way service.

You might want to pick up the Morning Sun Chessie color guide (I may actually be putting one up for sale in the trading post,  if you have trouble finding one)

- Lou

[chessie system fan]

I'd just like to point out that you are not me.

With that being said, the Chessie, B&O, C&O and WM color guides are a must.  Chessie only had the regular AAR 53' flats, though there were a few 60' bulkhead flats.  By then, TTX had a large number of 60' flats.

I would encourage you to scroll through the fallen flags site.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/co/co-frt.html
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bo/bo-frt.html
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/wm/wm.html

From here I think you'll get a good impression of what Chessie had.

And you're going to need a ton of covered hoppers too.

[ChessieFan]

Thank You!!