P.R.R. die cast

[Anonymous]

New to this hobby, very new. I have a P.R.R. die cast coal car, fairly crudely made, about 4" long,2 3/4" tall and 2 1/4" wide, heavy (cast iron I think). There appears to be something broken off on the bottom, between the wheels. It came with 4 large "paper clip" looking items, no idea of the purpose.
Can anybody help me with ANY information on this or point me in a direction where I can find/learn about this.
Thanks a million!!!

John..............the old Marine.

[lionelsoni]

I don't know what you have at all. But some more details might help for those who might recognize it.

Since you say you are new, do you know the difference between a tender and a hopper car? The tender is the car right behind a steam locomotive that carries its fuel and water. They are often referred to as "coal cars" by beginners. A hopper car is an open car that would carry coal (or rock, or something else) and can be unloaded through doors on the bottom.

What is the wheel arrangement? How many wheels? Are the axles connected directly to the frame or are they in trucks, that is, assemblies of two or more axles that pivot under the car?

Check the metal with a magnet. Often beginners mistake zinc for cast iron.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lionelsoni

I don't know what you have at all. But some more details might help for those who might recognize it.

Since you say you are new, do you know the difference between a tender and a hopper car? The tender is the car right behind a steam locomotive that carries its fuel and water. They are often referred to as "coal cars" by beginners. A hopper car is an open car that would carry coal (or rock, or something else) and can be unloaded through doors on the bottom.

What is the wheel arrangement? How many wheels? Are the axles connected directly to the frame or are they in trucks, that is, assemblies of two or more axles that pivot under the car?

Check the metal with a magnet. Often beginners mistake zinc for cast iron.

[Anonymous]

Bob, thanks for the information, seems I am learning already!
This must be a coal car, it has an opening on one end so a fireman could get to the coal. No way to dump from the bottom.
The entire car is magnetic. There are 4 wheels, 2 front, 2 rear. No truck, axels are attached to the frame.
The top of the car is open. The clip (?) things are shaped like a "C" .
Thank you again for the help. I have already learned. Hopefully you or someone else can add to my small store of knowledge on this.