Walthers 72’ Centerbeam with Jaeger HO Lumber Load
This is my second try at customizing lumber loads for my model train rolling stock. I’ve always wanted a centerbeam but I didn’t think that my prototype railroad Burlington Northern ran centerbeams; then I saw photos and changed my whole outlook on the subject
Before I chose to assemble the Jaeger HO lumber load, I bought a Walthers 72’ centerbeam, along with a Walthers lumber load, and immediately I didn’t like the look of the plastic load. I had already bought a bulkhead flatcar with a Jaeger load but didn’t assemble it yet.
Perhaps the reason I didn’t assemble the Jaeger load for my bulkhead is that it looked like a challenge and that I’d mess it up and have to suck up the loss. I researched and saw how others put the load together and then felt that it wouldn’t be as difficult as I thought.
The moment I placed the first few loads, I knew I made the right decision; look at how much more realistic the centerbeam looks as compared to the BN above.
The tools I use are relatively common and cheap, making the project much more easier to do than if I didn’t have them.
After I finished assembling one side, I couldn’t think of anything else. I couldn’t wait to finish the other side.
From previous experience with my bulkhead flat car project, I didn’t like the way the Jaeger lumber loads were wrapped with nylon string. My research found that the loads looked more prototypical if Pactrim tape is used. Now I couldn’t find Pactrim at my local hobby shop, nor did I want to wait for mail order, nor did I think paying $10 for Pactrim would be as cheap as using black electrical tape.
By taping together two Exacto blades, I found that the distance between the blade tips was approximately the 1/32” width of Pactrim tape. Estimating the length needed to wrap the block was easy; I just wrapped the block in the non-sticky side of the black tape.
Below are the tools I use for this part of the project and an example of the resulting substitution.
Although it took some time, I finished wrapping just over half of the loads.
I am almost there, looking good.
Next I had to drill holes in my centerbeam, using #64 drill bit. 72 holes for the cabling.
These are the spacers for unloading and loading the loads.
I stacked the load, next up is the cabling.
To thread the holes with the cabling, I dipped the tips of the nylon string in Super Glue, then after the tips dried, I cut the cable at a sharp angle, making very easy to thread the holes.
Looking good.
A revealing closeup of the cabling project.
Another closeup of the cabling project.
I tightened the cabling, then used a toothpick to apply the Super Glue to the cable. Once I finished one side, I trimmed the excess cable.
Look at how great that looks. The real thing.
The finished project. This took over 12 hours of work, and not one temper tantrum.
After I figure out how to remove the plastic load on my other BN centerbeam, that is next on my list for equipping with another Jaeger lumber load.
