CSX #600470
When large and heavy loads such as machinery or construction equipment must be moved long distances, railroad flat cars are often the best way to transport them. If the load will clear bridges and similar overhead obstructions, it can be carried on a heavy-duty, straight-deck flat car. Designed with a load limit (combined weight of the car and cargo) of 240 tons or more, these cars are easily identified by the pair of high-capacity trucks at each end and the large, flat center deck. Each pair of trucks is connected by a span bolster, which pivots on the bolster located on the body. This spreads the weight over eight axles to help prevent overloading. The overall height of the cars is also kept low to ease loading and unloading, and provide more overhead clearance. This leaves no room below the car, so separate air and handbrakes for each pair of trucks are carried on platforms at both ends. Railroads serving on-line customers who regularly need these flats will often purchase a small fleet to ensure that cars are readily available. Others use cars owned by TTX, which maintains the largest fleet of heavy-duty flats in service today.

This ready-to-run model features prototypical paint and detailing, plus a heavy diecast metal body for improved tracking performance.