I’ve seen covered hoppers used for grain storage on many ranches along railroad right-of-ways here in Texas, and finally decided to take a picture of one so I could use it for reference in case I wanted to model something similar…and to share it with my fellow forum members.
Don Z.
That’s sweet! I like how they kept the markings on it, would make an interesting and easy modeling project! Thanks for sharing![:)]
Here’s a former M&P 40’ box that’s similarly employed as a storage bin.
I believe it’s some sort of fertilizer plant in York, PA
Lee
There’s a similar ex-ATSF covered hopper on stilts just off I-40 (south of the road) in New Mexico. A few years ago, the owner repainted it flat black. Before that, it still had the full suit of ATSF reporting marks, bar-code, etc.
One way to recycle a yard-sale refugee with square wheels…
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I know of at least 2 industries in these parts which brought and use covered hoppers for storage - still with wheels & trucks, still on (quite rusted) tracks, but permently mounted (this would be a plastic firm in East Newark, NJ, which used to recieve by rail, but the track was abandoned when the Arlington line was closed; and a firm in Freeport, NY off the LIRR Montauk line, not far from the Meadowbrook Parkway).
I do not know if the cars are welded to the rails to prevent movement, but I think semi-permenant piping has been installed to faciliate filling and emptying the covered hoppers (which in reality are now just silos).
I have some notes somewhere that cover the size of pipe used for the frame…I think it was 6" or 8" diameter pipe.
Don Z.
I remember seeing, back in the '70s, an old junker automobile used in the same way; the hopper certainly looks better!