- Tank car / flat #14:
Zack and I installed both end sills which required chain hoists and lots of straps to pull the sills onto the stringers. Once the end sills were snugged up, we measured the car corner to corner and it was wracked out of square. The next step was …. you guesses it, more chains, straps and a come along to pull the frame into square. Once completed, the south draft gear was measured and the center stringers notched to receive the coupler shank. The bolster was flipped upside down and set into the frame channel and buffer blocks.
The next steps will include: Installation of the buffer block to bolster tension rods, drill holes for the bolster plate and drill through the side sills for the end cap bolts. When that is completed the cross trusses can be added. Then, it's onto the north end where the whole process is repeated. When all the draft gear is in place, the needle beams, queen posts and truss rods can be installed and the car flipped over for the installation of the stake pockets.
Don't worry, there's no test for flatcar construction 101.
