I am working on my coal fleet and am trying to find photos of coal hoppers that MP used during the 80s. I remember seeing black colored large capacity hoppers behind MP SD-40-2c consists, they were marked with a small eagle herald and “MP” with the road number underneath. I have one photo, but it is so small I can’t pick up much detail, but they appear to be rapid discharge hoppers with 8? gates underneath. Anybody out there remember these or have photos they would be willing to share, I would certainly appreciate it. I am trying to build up my coal train.
You might want to post this topic on the TRAINS forum for more responses.
The Missouri Pacific Coal Hoppers that have come through on UNION PACIFIC coal trains were all 4-Bay Steel Bodied Coal Hoppers. Large High-Sided 8-Bay Open Hoppers would be more likely used for Wood Chip Service. Check the Walthers HO Scale Catalog for Walthers models of Open-Top Hoppers.
I see brown, 4 bay (I think), open top hopper in the MP 580000 series. If I remember correctly, they are in the 582000 and 588000 series, it seems like there are more series in the 580000s that I do not remember.