Hello, I'm another N scale turned Z scale hobbiest. Still run my N scale layout but am planning my 4 x 6 foot z scale layout. I live in Western MD and am a big fan of CSX / Chessie. I live 30 minutes from the Cumberland, MD Shop. My dad has worked there as an electrician for almost 30 years. MTL GP-35's made me make the switch to Z scale and am hoping AZL has CSX SD70's in the near future. I've looked at numerous auction sites and web stores mentioned on this site and can't locate any CSX / Chessie 90 Ton Hoppers or Coal Porters anywhere since they are out of production. The only place I found Chessie Hoppers were FatherNature.com but the guy doesn't answer any emails. I paid for a set, waited a month, and nothing, ended up getting a refund through paypal that paypal got back for me. I was just wondering if anyone on here is wanting to part with any Chessie / CSX 90 ton hoppers or Coal Porters (from what I've researched I think FR used to make CSX coal porters) If so let me know. Also I saw the modified GP-35 that was modified and painted with the CSX roadname. Any one here willing to do that on an undecorated GP-35 and if so for how much? I painted my own GP-35 Chessie in Chessie Colors just before MTL announced the release. Turned out fairly decent, but ended up selling it so I could get 2 MTL Chessie's. Hoping someone out there has some hoppers they are willing to part with. I'm not interested in the 70 ton hoppers. Thanks
Hi Joe, Welcome to Trainboard! I can't help you on the Chessie hoppers, but I think AZL is due to release Bethgon Coal Porters any day now. Maybe they will offer the CSXT yellow and silver cars? -Robert
Hopefully AZL will offer these when they release the CSX SD70's. I'd take either (both) the black or silver ones. It would also be nice to have some in conrail too. Joe, I'm not sure where to find any of the CSX hoppers or coalporters, but for the time being (until the above mentioned CSX coalporters come out - hopefully) there are some 90 ton Conrail 3-bay hoppers available. They would be very prototypical on both the NS and CSX lines. - Phil
Thanks Phil Already have a set of Conrail hoppers but I may be getting some more. They seem fairly easy to find. Thanks for the input though. Joe
Welcome Joe! Pennzee did offer CSX three bay hoppers like the Conrails. Full Throttle might have them. Contact Will Wright at: DeWaa128@aol.com Also, FR offered nickel-silver CSX coal porters. They are very nice. I have not heard officially if AZL will offer a CSX version of the coal porters. I am sure they will some day! There web site is: http://www.fr-model.de/index.php?lang=en&what=products&cat=us Rob
Joe, Contact me offline.. I had forgotten that I bought a spare set of the Chessie/CSXT 90 tonners when I stumbled across another set of them. I'm one of those people who don't typically like to run duplicate road numbers (whether or not you can read them from a few feet away ) I don't plan on renumbering them and as it stands I have two of the 4-car sets. You are welcome to the extra set for what I have in them if you like. - Phil
Hi Joe, I would suggest you repaint the Penzze coal hoppers. I repainted my GP35 into YN1 color scheme, and I converted one into a GP39 In YN2 color scheme. Tim makes custom decals at a reasonable price. I also know couple of guys who will repaint it for you, but if you repainted one engine, then you can repaint another. I can give you suggestion on what decals are avairlable. Here is some of my stuff.
Thanks guys, You should see what happen last time I loaded a 747F. I put all the weight in the back, and it sat on its tail. The loader is front heavy, so I have to adjust its center of gravity.
Joe, Did we meet you and your Dad back in January at the Timonium, MD Great Train Expo (formerly Greenberg's show)? If you ever get to the Washington or Baltimore areas let us know. The DC Z-Bend Track group does between 5 and 10 shows a year in the DC/Baltimore area if you are interested. I know it's a little far from Cumberland, though. There are a handful of folks in Hagerstown and WV that might be a little bit closer. I would echo Rob Kluz on going to "Uncle Will" Wright (Full Throttle) for the PennZee hoppers. Will very well might have some of the FR CoalPorters as well since he does a lot of business with Harald. Full Throttle also recently released Chessie ACF Cylindrical Centerflow Covered Hoppers. Those can be seen on other threads here (probably in the January-February time frame). Randy Smidt Washington, DC Z-Bend Track module group DC_Z-Bend_Track@yahoogroups.com
Thanks Everyone for the responses. I greatly appreciate all input. Randy, Never been to the Timonium Train Show, been there for a computer show before but I'll keep the train show in mind. I think Chantilly, VA (think I spelled it wrong) has a huge train show as well. Ever been to that one? Hagerstown is a good bit closer, about 1 hr 15 minutes from where I live, and Baltimore/Washington are about 2 1/2 hrs. Might have to check out 1 of the Z bend shows. My dad grew up in Baltimore and knows the area fairly well. Phil, Thanks and I'll be contacting you soon. Rob, Thanks for the link John, Thanks for the pics and how do I get in contact with Tim for decals?
Hey Phil, Did Joe ever grab those CSX hoppers from you? If he didn't, I'd be interested! Send me a message if they're still available. Thanks!
Hey Bryan, I thought you had already busted the bank. Did you just get your tax refund or something? Randy
