F68 Bulkhead Flat Car

Prototype Information

The Bethlehem Steel F68AH was the first production version of Bethlehem Steel’s F68-series 100-ton, 68-foot bulkhead flatcars. The company introduced the design in 1969 to give railroads a higher-capacity flat suited for heavy and oversized loads.

The F68AH featured tall wood-faced end bulkheads, a wood deck with built-in tie-down channels, and steel deck risers. The cars rode on 36-inch wheels, used trucks with hydraulic snubbers, and included 15-inch end-of-car cushioning to control slack action and protect lading.

Bethlehem Steel built the initial group for Trailer Train (TTX) in 1969. Railroads used the cars to haul structural steel, machinery, trailers, and other concentrated loads. Their capacity and flexible design kept F68AH flats in service for decades, often rebuilt or repainted as traffic needs changed.