A model I finished some time ago, but have yet to post about, is this modern bulkhead flat, scratch built in American OO by (I believe) Pierre Bourassa.

The Canadian roads had and have a variety of bulkhead flats in service, particularly for use in pulpwood and lumber service. I believe, based on Internet research, that the prototype of this 58’ car is of a general design built 1973-77 for roads including BCOL, CNR, and DW&P.

Pierre one way or another got inspired to build this very Canadian car. It came to me without decals and on the nice Johann converted HO roller bearing trucks. I believe what happened was that Pierre got stuck at that point, as did I for a long while. He built himself into a corner a couple ways — the sides have very little room for decals, and then you have to come up with something plausible as well.

Finally, after much pondering, I figured out that the NOKL (Northwest Oklahoma Railroad) had a series of these cars that this model would make a good stand in for, so I worked out decals from parts of multiple sets. I also had to modify the sides slightly (to correct stake pocket issues) and touched up the paint further.

The underframe reveals no surprises except that it was built nicely by Pierre. Glad to have this model among my fleet of modern OO models.