{"product_id":"wheels-of-time-n-50117-general-purpose-flat-car-boston-and-maine-34052","title":"Wheels of Time N 50117 General Purpose Flat Car, Boston and Maine #34052","description":"Boston \u0026amp; Maine, PS 3-57, General Purpose Flatcar, 34000-34089 (black body with logo) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Boston \u0026amp; Maine purchased two batches of Pullman-Standard PS-4 53'-6\" fish belly flatcars in March\/April 1957. Lot 8322 numbers 34000-34089 built at Butler, Pennsylvania were plain deck general purpose flatcars. Lot 8322A numbers 5320-5329 were speciality equipped with bulkheads. 10 cars from the 34000 series were later converted to TOFC service. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e These 53'-6\" flatcars were constructed with a welded fish belly steel frame in contrast to the cast steel GSI frame. The fish belly frame provided an optimal distribution of tension and compression forces from the center of the car to the bolsters. Think of it as a bridge. In addition, fabricating a welded frame was far less labor intensive than an equivalent riveted frame. The welded frame proved extremely durable holding up to rugged service. As these flat cars aged-out due to ARR interchange age limit, they found its way into many years in maintenance-of-way service. A number of builders constructed these flat cars such as the Pacific Car \u0026amp; Foundry (P.C. \u0026amp; F.), Marine Industries (Canada), Pullman-Standard, Bethelehem Steel, and including railroad car shops such as the Western Pacific. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e They were designated as FM by the AAR mechanical people. They carried anything bulky that can't be placed in a box car -  from finished lumber to machinery equipment. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Features:\u003cbr\u003e Properly weighed cars for smooth derailment-free running\u003cbr\u003e Proper ride height\u003cbr\u003e Body-mounted knuckle couplers\u003cbr\u003e 33\" metal wheels for smooth rolling\u003cbr\u003e Internal steel plate so loads can be attached with magnets\u003cbr\u003e Extra fine details\u003cbr\u003e Sharp paint, lettering, car numbers to match the real thing\u003cbr\u003e Multiple car numbers for fleet owners for realistic train operations","brand":"Wheels of Time","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42129794334802,"sku":"WOT-50117","price":33.62,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0581\/3410\/2098\/files\/BS__76353.png?v=1756143299","url":"https:\/\/modeltrainstuff.com\/products\/wheels-of-time-n-50117-general-purpose-flat-car-boston-and-maine-34052","provider":"Model Train Stuff","version":"1.0","type":"link"}