Man, Atlas has been cranking 'em out lately! They just announced another car on their website for us HO-scalers, an ACF 4650 cu.ft. Centerflow covered hopper. Very nice looking model...go to http://www.atlasrr.com/highlights/ho4650.asp for more info and pics. I can definitely see myself getting some SP and some undecs to do for Golden West Service. Paul #3
Too bad there are very few covered hoppers in my Era. Then again, I like the shorter cars because I can get more units into a train!
Saw some samples today at the Big E show in Springfield, MA. They looked very sharp. Definitely need some for myself.
An interesting thing about covered hoppers. I used to work in a plastics compounding plant . We used 4 compartment hoppers like the plastic carying cars that just came out. They are unloaded by pnuematic pumps. Pumps create a suction that draws the resin out of the bottom tubes. The problem with this system is that periodocly the pumps will reverse them selves and blow at a low pressure. Sometimes if the gate on the hopper wasent adjusted correctly you could blow plastic out of the oppisit side of the unloading tube. (you only do this a few times though. its a bi--h to have to shouvle this stuff off of the ballast). Another catch to the unloading process, If you forgot to open the hatch on top of the car, you could literaly suck in the top and sides of the car. Of course I never did this....Mike
