Concrete Sewer Pipe Load in a Weekend

Recently while browsing the local Habitat for Humanity store, I came across an interesting plumbing part.  It was small with three openings. I thought to myself, what if I made this into a flatcar load.  It might just make an interesting piece.  I grab the plumbing part and headed for the counter.  Twenty-seven cents later, I was started on a weekend modeling project.

The fitting is a 1 inch to 3/4 inch adaptor with a threaded 1/2 off to one side.  I don't think I have ever seen one like this before.  After testing the fit on a flat car and checking with the standards gauge, I decided to shave off some of the protruding 1/2 inch leg.  I also drilled out the threads and scuffed it up with some 80 grit sandpaper.

I mixed up some concrete colored paint and started to cover the inside and outside of the "sewer pipe".  I intentionally left brush marks to show molding lines from the concrete casting process.  I did not scuff up the inside and the paint did not want to stick very well.  Note for next time:  acrylic paint does not stick well to smooth and shiny PVC.

I fashion some blocking from 1/8 square balsa strips.  A little CA glue held everything together.  After fitting, I wrapped a dowel in sandpaper and made a concave recess for the front of the pipe to sit down into.

I made some eye bolts out or thin wire held with pliers and twisted around a small drill bit.  These were superglued into the stake pockets on the flatcar.  I picked this car up at a garage sale for $3 and it is unmarked so I don't feel too bad gluing things to the deck.  I needed to replace one coupler box and then add one new #5 coupler.  I tuned the wheelsets and gave it a standard weathering job.  It is now a great running car.

I picked up some very small black chain at the local Joanne Fabric store.  With the coupon, I now have 100 inches of chain for only $2.50.  I might have used 12 inches on this project.  The chain is shiny black.  I tried to weather it with dry brushing and chalks.  Next time I might use spray paint or at least apply some Dullcoat.  

I weathered the sewer pipe with a whitewash and some dirt chalk.  I applied a black wash to the wood blocking.

The blocking and sewer pipe are attached with hot melt glue.  The chain was threaded through the eye bolts and secured with a drop of CA glue.  I am not an expert on load rigging.  This load passed inspection by the company foreman.  A dusting of chalk was applied to blend everything together.

I spend a few hours over a couple of days and I ended up with a unique load for my layout.  The scale size is 20 feet long in HO.  The large end diameter is 12 feet, and the smaller end is 10 feet across.  Probable model for a city sewage plant or large dry well system.  The total cost was very minimal for the results.  It is always nice to actually complete a railroad project that I started.