I model the KCS (1981 in HO scale) and need to put together several BN/KCS/KCLX/SEPX unit coal trains. I would like the cars to have individual numbers although I could have duplicates as I will run loaded trains in one direction and MTYs in the other direction. I would like to run at least 30 cars per train and at least two complete sets in each direction. About five years ago I purchased 24 MDC five bay hoppers to letter for Kansas City Power and Light. The cars are together, have been painted flat black and are running on the layout. However only two of the cars are lettered! I am not into decaling complete cars, nor am I skilled at it.
I have purchased some cars on ebay and have a nice 12 car BN (3 bay hopper)set with no duplicate numenrs. The cars did not come in their boxes so I am not sure of the make, but possibly Walthers?
The new Bethgons in the multi numbered sets are too modern for my era. I am open to buying lettered cars and changing the numbers. Anyone have some suggestions on how to put this fleet together???
In addition to Walthers, Bowser also makes 3 bay hoppers in multiple numbers. If you need more (and it sounds like you will), try painting flat black paint over the numbers, be careful not to paint too far past the number. Or try removing the numbers. Then get a decal set and renumber the cars. Put a flat coat on the entire car so that the finish is uniform.
I will be doing unit trains and well, the solution is painting and decaling, or just renumbering. Decaling can be time consuming, but you get the results YOU want.
When you have the time or druthers, grab a car and do it up. Then go on to the next one as opportunity strikes.
Walthers sells 6 car sets of hoppers with different numbers. I think they’re up to set 5 on their Norfolk Southern RD’s and close to that on their Coalveyors.
The Atlas Coalveyors are nice but too modern for my era. The walters 3 bay hoppers will work fine and I look for the BN multi numbered sets on ebay and at train shows.
The Model Diecasting coal gons would be right, but they were never out in a multi numbered set that I could use. I have picked up a few of these undecorated, but I am back to my problem of painting and decaling. It would be great if Athern would re-release these decorated but without numbers. I think those of us who need to model unit coal trains would buy them as fast as they can make them.
If you’re modeling a “loads in - empties out” power plant and a vice versa mine, the sneaky trick is to have two complete trains, identical down to the car numbers, if they are both going to be in staging at the same time. That won’t work if they are scheduled to meet on the visible portion of the main line.
I run a BN unit coal train with all thrall side hoppers. I purchased them from Roundhouse several years ago. All had to do to them was to change the numbers on the cars and I painted one end of each car white. I had one painted on both ends. I am not sure if they are still avialable since they became a part of Horizon.