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I swear I'm not converting Goldth but I needed to figure a way to make some finished sheet steel loads. After looking around the only thing that was easy enough to cut straight and work easy with was paper, I used .007 card stock that was collecting dust.

I cut the sheets 1.25" X 3.5"
Used 3 dabs of elmers glue, stacked them 12 sheets up
Then mixed 50/50 Silver and Dark Grey and covered the sheets
I took some electrical tape and straight edge cut some thin strips to use for the baling

It was quite easy and I'm satisfied with the results:

[Image: DSC01797.jpg]

[Image: DSC01802.jpg]
Looks good, Tom, although they'd be easier to unload if there was some blocking between the sheets and the deck of the car. They could be unloaded using a magnet, but believe me, it's very difficult to pile such thin sheets using a magnet. Wallbang Wallbang

I especially like the colour which you've used - very much like freshly-rolled plates. If you want to add a little more detail, plates were often marked (using a paint stick, not chalk) with the heat number and sometimes ingot or slab number, too, in white or yellow. Inspectors' marks, often just a check mark and perhaps initials, would usually be in chalk.

I used some Plastruct ABS plastic to make a load of heavy plates for a shipyard, using blocking under the sheets to allow removal with cable slings. The stakes and simulated tie-down bolts allow easy removal of the load:
[Image: Foe-toesfromTrainPhotos2007third-22.jpg]

Wayne
doctorwayne Wrote:Looks good, Tom, although they'd be easier to unload if there was some blocking between the sheets and the deck of the car. They could be unloaded using a magnet, but believe me, it's very difficult to pile such thin sheets using a magnet. Wallbang Wallbang

I especially like the colour which you've used - very much like freshly-rolled plates. If you want to add a little more detail, plates were often marked (using a paint stick, not chalk) with the heat number and sometimes ingot or slab number, too, in white or yellow. Inspectors' marks, often just a check mark and perhaps initials, would usually be in chalk.

I used some Plastruct ABS plastic to make a load of heavy plates for a shipyard, using blocking under the sheets to allow removal with cable slings. The stakes and simulated tie-down bolts allow easy removal of the load:
[Image: Foe-toesfromTrainPhotos2007third-22.jpg]

Wayne
Thanks for the complement, Wayne.
I used the prototype this time around, there's double stabs on top and looks like a staggered placement. I figured they use some type of magnetic system but then again I'm not really sure since I don't know the modern process. Although I have a magnetic crane ready for use Thumbsup

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Tom,

Nice job on the loads. Just proves that there is a prototype for almost everything.

Bruce
bdw9535 Wrote:Tom,

Nice job on the loads. Just proves that there is a prototype for almost everything.

Bruce

That's for sure, and I can't argue with that photo. Misngth Perhaps they're using a smaller magnet than the ones with which I'm familiar. Most of ours were rated for 25 or 30 tons, and piling even 4" thick short slabs was a real chore - often one end of the magnetised slab would attract the end of the slab upon which you were trying to place it, spinning it atop the pile, and usually moving the ones below, too. 35 35 Whatever the method of unloading, the mill shipping the steel would load it to the customer's specifications to accommodate their unloading equipment.
We shipped hot slabs (4'' to 18" thick, and stacked accordingly) using paired "C" hooks on a 60 ton crane, but that was for in-plant shipments. Other mills used similar cranes, although most nowadays are the "Mansaver"-type adjustable bales. There's some info HERE on lifting devices for steel, including one that looks like it would be suitable for your "sitting right on the deck" load. I worked at the start of the process to make an ingot into a slab - making light plate happened farther down the line, although I did base the load shown on ones that I saw coming out of the plate mill. Goldth

Wayne
great work TM.. Thumbsup
I used to watch drillers lift 40' pieces of steel pipe, 40 inches in diameter, and 1/2" thick. I would have thought the weight would require them to weld lifting rings to the pipe, or at least torch holes to run a cable through. That wasn't usually the case. Instead, they simply bolted a couple of clamps to the lip of the pipe and lifted it vertical. i would never guess such a clamp would be strong enough, but I never saw a pipe get dropped.
Nice work Tom! Very creative and it looks just like the prototype! Interesting load!
Ralph
Nice loads! Those look good! Thumbsup Thumbsup
Every day I gain a greater respect for card stock as a modeling medium.
Thanks to both you and Wayne, for the photos. I hadn't given much thought to how sheet steel would be delivered to a shipyard. I can see how the method of "unloading", would effect the method of shipping.
My next thought was "OK, how do I move a "standard gauge" load, on narrow gauge flats......got to think of clearances, load overhang, and, for that matter, what means I'll use for unloading the sheet steel. Obviously, each narrow gauge flat will have fewer sheets per load.
Details, details. 35
Hooray for another cardstock convert! 2285_ 2285_ 2285_

Nicely done, and electrical tape is certainly in the spirit of things!

Galen
Nice stuff Tom and Wayne,I may have to give that a try for N scale loads.
looks good TM most of the plate loades i see out here have a patina of rust on them .

Doc
one time i worked for a mine repair shop that ordered 2 pieces sheet steel 12ft wide 24ft long by 2 inches thick they shipped them to the town by rail they came in a gon with a angle rack, i assumed they were special ordered from a mill ( marked Dung po(sp) we had hell unloading them as if i rember right they were close to 12 ton each.
jim