I have a number of Athearn BB kits that I am finally geting around to working on- the 34 foot open hoppers. I plan to make coal and other loads for them, but I was considering taking the outside weights and placing them on the inside, as they would then be hidden by the loads with no need for painting. What remains is a small round shaft on the outside slope of the car. What is the best practice for dealing with it, cut it off and seal the hole or what??? Cedarwoodron
The small round shape is used to attach the trucks and frame to the body. The long screw for the truck also holds the frame to the car body.
I think that’s a separate thing from the attachment points for the weights on these cars.
Personally, I think it’s less work to simply leave the weights in the same position. A spray can of flat black or red primer will make the weights disappear for all practical purposes and save having to reattach the weights inside the car. The color match needn’t be a perfect, as it’s really not visible enough that a difference would be seen. YMMV
I concur with Mike - I would just paint the weights(and trucks) with a cheap can of flat spray paint. Adding the coal load should bet you close to the NMRA suggested weight for the car(around 3.5 oz). Remember to add metal couplers and wheels - this will result in more reliable operation and get the center of gravity even lower.
That plastic ‘post’ is what the long truck screw threads into.
Jim