Today I got stuck at a grade crossing, and so I pulled out my digital camera. It turns out that it was a ballast train that was actually in the middle of dropping ballast. As it creaped along, I actually photographed the whole thing. Now I was wondering if I could get some help identifying the cars as well as any suggestions on what to use for modeling them. I think that there were basically four different cars. I mainly did HO, but now I’m thinking about trying a layout in N, so I guess which ever one has better options for modeling these is what I’ll go with.
The first one with a triangular ridgeline and the big open panel in the middle
The second one with a triangular ridgeline and the evenly spaced panels
The third one is slightly shorter and has a flat ridgeline at the top
The fourth one is substantially shorter and possibly longer. It seems that Walthers makes one that roughly resembles this one, although the doors and ladders are poor matches.
Also, just for fun here is the guy on the right side with a remote control for the gates (there was a guy on both sides).
Ok after searching I’m thinking that the first two are converted PS2 covered hoppers. I think they are two different variations though. I have found prototypes of both types.
Thanks, I like that Easter Car Works one. I think that it will work for the top two with a little work.
I’m still not sure about the third one. It has the same structure the second one, but the end sections are different. I guess I could just fill that in with styrene, and try to get it close. It has 6 rungs on the ladder like number two as well.
That Walthers model has 10 panels like the fourth picture, but there are a bunch of differences. The ladder as well as the location of the numbers is off. Not to mention the tiny doors in the model. Maybe I can do some modifications, but I just hate to for how much they cost.
Not sure just how exacting you want to be. Sometimes, especially with cars like these that are mostly recycled from other cars, you’re just not going to get exact. At least not without some serious bashing. I think some new grey paint and proper decals and the cars would look fine. Not sure, but they be sold as singles too.
Good point. I’m not going to go crazy with detail, but I was going to use this as an excuse to practice some serious weathering, and I just hate to do that with a RTR.
I guess that now I should start looking for decals…
Oh and does anybody know if there is a two bay 70 ton hopper that matches the one in this link? I’m looking at CSXT #997123 which is an 8 paneled, two bay, 70 ton hopper. It’s the third from the bottom. Athearn makes a 6 paneled version, and I guess worst case I can just use that.
