PRR's GG hoppers

[BRJN]

Can anybody point me to a picture of a GG hopper? They were in use starting 1895 and were composite construction.

Also, what existing models could I use as a reasonable visual substitute? The composite construction hoppers I can find are all WW2-era, which is too recent for my era.

Future step: get data block decals indicating Ft Wayne or Altoona construction.

[orsonroy]

Class diagram and photo of a PRR GG gondola:
http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?diag=GG.gif&sel=hopp&sz=sm&fr=
(BTW, the website this is from has virtually EVERY PRR car diagram on it!)

Second pic here:
http://railroad.union.rpi.edu/rolling-stock/gons/composite/Gons-all-wood-HM-PRR-Pullman-1896.jpg

As for modelling these cars, it'll require a scratch job or a resin kitbash. I'd dig through the F&C kit selections for a likely starting point (look at the various D&H wood gons). Westerfield just released a series of wood gons, but they're not self-clearing cars, they're inside stake, and I think they're too long.
http://www.fandckits.com/
http://www.westerfield.biz/

Hope this helped!

[dehusman]

If you are in a traveling mood, the PA railroad Museum at Strasburg has a real one on display in its collection.

there is no commercial equivalent.

If you wanted a quick and dirty version. Take a older "lifelike" or Varney steel hopper car. Cut the sides down to about 4 feet high. Then sand off all the ribs from the sides and either scribe board grooves or apply styrene or wood boads to the sides and ends Put on a side sill and end sill and apply Grandt Line side stakes. Add some truss rod details and the door opening mechanism and you have a model.

Dave H.

[BRJN]

Thanks for the links. The pictures were really helpful. (They indicated my initial plan was a dead-end.)

Now I have to talk myself into starting my first-ever kitbash project. [:o)]