Coal cars

I am wanting to purchase some coal cars for my BNSF layout. I am looking at Walthers Bethgon Gondolas @ 6 for 41.98, but I am also looking at Bachmann's Silver Series 100-ton 3-bay hoppers with metal wheels @ 6 for $21.99.

Any suggestions on these. Are the Walthers cars worth twice the money? Or can the Bachmann cars look and work just as nice overall? I don't have to have absolutely perfect cars. Any comments are welcome. Thanks.

 

Well, I think the Walthers cars are a step up from the Bachmann cars, so I'd pay the extra money.

Also of consideration, pretty much since the beginning of railroading, western coal has been hauled in gons, while eastern coal has been hauled in hoppers. So if you like to stick with the BNSF, get the gons.

 

I'll tell you what are pretty good if you can find 'em. E&C Shops, Johnstown Coalporters. I have, I think 8 of them. I bought them in 95 or 96. I built all but one or two. These were in Norfolk Southern livery, not sure if they came otherwise. I thought they were pretty nice though, different numbers and all. But, alas, they sit in their boxes since I model 1955 now.

 

Hey Jeff Do ya wanna sell 'em, I'll buy 'em

Hunter

 

Anyone got any Athearn Spine cars "impack Ends and Intermediates" the 5 car set or unit to sell??? I want at least one or 2 sets to go with my CSX diesel fleet even though I model all steam era I still have a fair share of diesels and so on but the older rolling stock for the steamers. And nothing to go with my newer -8's and AC's of CSX so.... Anyone???? Nothing special I guess just plain janes for me.. the detail goes on my loco's so....

[ 26 August 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]</p>

 

At the present time, I doubt I'd sell them, just in case I move forward or just want to run today's equip.

 

Check out Arizona FreightYard for LBF coalporters. I just picked up 12 for $100 and they come with brass wheels. I've got half of them built, and I plan on filling them with some good Utah coal.

As for the gondola vs. hopper question, I see UP running a lot of old & beat up hoppers through he state. By the loks of them they appear like a bunch of rejects from he scrap yards, but they're still loaded to the gills with coal. 100 car trains are commmon. It looks like most of the newer coal cars are gondolas. At least for UP, either style car will work.

As for locomotives, I've got two AC4400's and an SD-40 to pull the freight around, with two GP-60's to help out.

Mark

 

There are lots a variations in coal cars, regarding era, tonnage, bottom drop, top gons, the number of bay's etc. Determine your era and see what is available. If you are a N&W fan there is an excellent book out by Andrew Dow, that covers practically everything you want to know about N&W coal car.

As for model manufacturers, the Bachman Silver Series is very good. You may want to switch out the coupler's with Kadees and add some weight to them, but they are good performers. I have not had any experience with Walthers. Of the cars I have, my MDC coal hoppers peform the best, followed by Stewart. The Concor cars are good but I don't like the way they have you install the coupler, it is as bad or if not worse than the metal clip used by Athearn. I just got a dozen Bowser Hoppers that look good, but I have yet to put them together for the layout, but winter will soon be coming to the northeast and I envision time down in the trainroom.


A.J.

 

Currently I'm using the Stewart N&WHS limited run HL class hoppers. They came as a nice six pack. They work pretty good, the weight leaves a little to be desired though. I may order another set.

 

I just took a trip to my local hobby shop and lucked out on a 5 car set of the 34 f.t. coal cars by Athearn that were a limited addition for 15 lousy dollars! Not a bad deal I didn't think. And the last one on the shelf too in B&O and the only set! made that coal unit train 5 cars longer..... Now to make my coal loads and get 'em loaded for the highball.....

[ 28 August 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]</p>

 

Sounds good John, yeah my coal drag is getting a liitle longer too. I just got some more Rivarossi N&W passenger cars. Now I have enough Powhatan Arrow cars to run one eastbound and westbound. I ripped down a portion of my layout, I'm going to raise it up. I want to try the Woodland scenic Track bed and inclines.
Happy Shopping! Jeff

 

<font color="336633">I will need to get a few Hoppers soon, All I have is a couple of Walthers ones, and a couple of old Model Power ones, with Walthers trucks and new stiups, I might look into some bowser ones sometime.</font>