Description
Introduced in 1969, the Bethlehem Steel Co. (BSC) F68-series of 100-ton, 68-foot long (over end sills) flats represented a new generation of high-capacity flats. Extremely versatile, the basic design could be equipped from the factory with various appliances to handle different loadings. At the end of 1969, BSC introduced the “F68BH” class of cars for trailer trains.
Our Rivet Counter™ HO Scale model is accurately rendered from builder drawings and photos, featuring road number-specific details like steel decks, transverse deck risers, MacLean-Fogg transverse tie-down apparatus, distinctive upright “finger racks” near each end, a complete underbody brake system with over 18 separately applied parts including the air reservoir, control valve, reduction relay valve and retainer valve, plus wire form plumbing and trainline piping.
Road Number Specific ScaleTrains
- New road numbers
- Era: 1991 to Present
- Prototype examples with the 1991 Speed Logo have been documented in service to present day
- Series TTJX 80370 to 80519
- Road numbers 80407, 80413, 80437, and 80496
- Full TTX “Speed Logo” repaints
- Variations in placement of TTX logos, data, etc.
- Fully-assembled
- Multiple road numbers
- Factory-applied finger rack details
- MacLean-Fogg tie-down details on decks
- Decks with transverse risers
- Early H-shaped jacking pads
- Vertical handbrake staff and housing with finely detailed wheel
- Complete underbody brake system with over 18 separately applied parts including air reservoir, control valve, reduction relay valve, and retainer valve plus wireform plumbing and trainline pipe
- Durable die-cast metal semi-scale long-shank Type E couplers
- Highly-detailed 100-ton trucks with hydraulic snubber and bracket details, rotating Timken three-sided bearing caps, separate truck-mounted brake beams, and side bearing detail
- 36” machined metal wheels
- Operates on Code 70, 83, and 100 rail
- Printing and lettering legible even under magnification
- Weighted to Industry standards for reliable operation
- Packaging safely stores the model
- Minimum radius: 18”
- Recommended radius: 22”
Introduced in 1969, the Bethlehem Steel Co. (BSC) F68-series of 100-ton, 68-foot long (over end sills) flats represented a new generation of high-capacity flats. Extremely versatile, the basic design could be equipped from the factory with various appliances to handle different loadings. At the end of 1969, BSC introduced the “F68BH” class of cars for trailer trains.
They featured steel decks, transverse deck risers, MacLean-Fogg transverse tie-down apparatus, and a set of distinctive upright “finger racks” near each end, to help secure their intended lading of concrete reinforcing bar, aka “rebar”. Their distinctive finger racks earned these flats the nickname “candelabra cars”.
These 100-ton cars came equipped with 36” wheels, trucks equipped with hydraulic snubbers (at opposite corners of the car), and 15” EOCC to improve ride quality and reduce dangerous shifting loads. 150 F68BH cars were built between December 1969 and February 1970. Initial assignments for these cars included rebar service out of Bethlehem Steel’s Steelton, PA facility, from where they could be seen hauling rebar nationwide.
