Model Power - 84100 - Flatcar, Depressed Center - Maintenance of Way - 623

Specific Item Information: Car comes with a working searchlight load and two figures glued to the deck.

Model Information: This Model Power tooling is a bit of an odd-ball. Unlike other Chinese made Model Power toolings of the late 1980s and 1990s, this model has a die-cast metal body. It is also not a copy of some other manufacturers model (at least nothing like this exists in N Scale). It is the only 40 foot depressed center car ever made for N Scale. That being said, I have my doubts that a 40' depressed center car prototype ever existed. Also, typically the depressed center cars are designed for heavy loads and sport 6-axles on two trucks. This model has only 4 axles.

The model typically comes with a factory load of some kind or other. One car even comes with a working searchlight! The searchlight car also has N Scale figures walking about on it (though not operating the searchlight...). This model is somewhat rare and likely cost a bit more than other Chinese made models to produce.

Prototype History: A flatcar (US) (also flat car (US) or flat wagon (UIC)) is a piece of railroad (US) or railway (non-US) rolling stock that consists of an open, flat deck mounted on a pair of trucks (US) or bogies (UK), one at each end containing four or six wheels. Occasionally, flat cars designed to carry extra heavy or extra large loads are mounted on a pair (or rarely, more) of bogeys under each end . The deck of the car can be wood or steel, and the sides of the deck can include pockets for stakes or tie-down points to secure loads. Flatcars designed for carrying machinery have sliding chain assemblies recessed in the deck.

Depressed center flat cars are of a special construction having the portion of floor extending between trucks depressed to provide necessary overhead clearance for lading.

From Wikipedia

Road Name History: Maintenance of Way is a generic term that encompasses all activities and equipment related to maintaining railroad tracks in good condition.
Equipment is highly specialized and diversified. A non exhaustive list below:

• Ballast cleaner
• Ballast regulator
• Clearance car
• Crane
• Dynamometer car
• Grinder
• Road–rail vehicle (Hi-Rail)
• Rotary snowplow
• Scale test car
• Stoneblower
• Tamping machine
• Track geometry car

Brand/Importer Information: Founded in the late 1960's by Michael Tager, the 3rd generation business specializes in quality hobby products serving the toy and hobby markets worldwide. During its 50 years of operation, Model Power has developed a full line of model railroading products, die-cast metal aircraft, and die-cast metal cars and trucks.

In early 2014, Model Power ceased its business operations. Its extensive portfolio of intellectual property and physical assets are now exclusively produced, marketed, sold, and distributed by MRC (Model Power, MetalTrain and Mantua) and by Daron (Postage Stamp Airplanes and Airliner Collection).