Which hopper to use?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m pretty sure that I’m going to model a plastic pellet facility on my club module. I am at the point that I need to get some cars for servicing it. Does Athearn make a RTR car for that? Which one?

2

What time period?

3

I looked in my Inventory and found this Athern BlueBox kit,

55’ Center Flow Hopper, SHPX 046478, Tenneco Plastics, Built 9/1969, Plate C

I’m sure there are others, or you could custom paint/letter for your clubs Road.

4

Id go with Walthers 64’ NSC 6200 cuft plastic pellet hoppers. Theyre out of stock at Walthers but you can usually find them on eBay.

5

Modern/today.

I’m hesitant to use Walthers cars as I’ve had lots of trouble with quality and durability.

6

The current plastic car choices I know of are the Athearn ACF car, the Walthers car, and I think Atlas has a plastic car out. The outlets on the bottom hook up to a hose, while grain cars have grain outlets on them.

If you wander over by Bemis in Oshkosh, you will see many different types of cars, but most seem to be Centerflow styles, in newer cars than the Athean model.

7

I have two plastic pellets companies on my Santa Fe and use the Walthers cars, along with others. You said you had a problem with Walthers, quality and durability. I found after changing out the trucks (metal wheelsets) and installing Kadees that mine perform quite well, and after a little weathering, run just as nice as the other cars in pellet service.

Bob

8

I just ordered some Intermountain ACF hoppers last week. These cars are just beautifully detailed. If your interested here is a picture.

Intermountain is a lot more expensive but in my opinion nobody makes a better “LOOKING” ACF hopper car. They come with Kadees already installed as well…

9

I am modeling a modern plastics facility so here are the rundown of available cars, most modern to oldest

Walthers NSC 6200 Plastic Pellet Car (love these, and it is what the majority of the plastic hoppers are here in eastern PA)

Atlas 5800 Plastic Pellet Car (new release, not out yet, will be picking up a few of these)

Atlas 5701 Plastic Pellet Car (new release, just came out, I like the walthers better)

Athearn ACF Plastic Pellet Car (not a huge fan, also not that common where I am)