There should be plenty of log flats out there. Those aren't exactly high demand cars, so prices for acquisition should not be prohibitive. Most shortlines that I have visited over the years running log trains (or cuts of them in trains) don't have more than a dozen cars or so, which would mean a relatively small fleet of cars will suffice as long as service is relatively frequent. If these are going right to a mill (as suggested in the post), a shuttle service could match a small car fleet to the mill's needs. This is where shortlines excel.

Mike Derrick