11-17-2009, 10:57 AM
Bob's got it right, I think. The track support structure is a bridge, with the decking in place mainly to keep other stuff (and people) from dropping through the open spaces. 
In many instances, "to-scale" lumber can look undersize, although many of us also use stuff that's too heavy. I'd guess that the prototype would use 2"x12" or 3"x12" (true dimensions, not the undersize stuff that's been through the planer) and that the 3" dimension would look better.
You might even want to go as thick as 4" - I recalled that I had used 3'x6" and 3"x8" on this bulkhead flatcar, and, while it looks appropriate to me, it may appear a little on the light side for wharf decking:
![[Image: Foe-toesfromTrainPhotos2007third-7.jpg]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/doctorwayne/freight%20cars/Foe-toesfromTrainPhotos2007third-7.jpg)
Wayne
In many instances, "to-scale" lumber can look undersize, although many of us also use stuff that's too heavy. I'd guess that the prototype would use 2"x12" or 3"x12" (true dimensions, not the undersize stuff that's been through the planer) and that the 3" dimension would look better.
You might even want to go as thick as 4" - I recalled that I had used 3'x6" and 3"x8" on this bulkhead flatcar, and, while it looks appropriate to me, it may appear a little on the light side for wharf decking:
Wayne