What would the best source of modern era rolling stock be. Seems that every time I find anything it is sold out. In particular I am looking for hoppers for plastic pellets and covered car carriers.
Production runs are short. I would watch M.B.Klien, model train stuff, walthers websites, along with ebay and any model train shows you can attend. If your on facebook, HO yard sale is a good group to belong to
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Atlas makes some high quality 5701 and 5800 plastic pellett covered hoppers as well as pressureaide covered hoppers that were often used for plastic pellets.
Here is a link to their older and current run of rolling stock.
http://archive.atlasrr.com/ho-mrs-archive.html
Check ebay for new old stock or current runs. MB Klein, Trainworld, and Lombard Hobby as well.
The old Athearn BB 55 foot centerflow covered hopper (now offered in RTR form) was either a grain or chemical, plastics, hopper depending upon paint scheme and load-in covers. Individual round covers were generally associated with plastics hoppers and long trough style covers were more associated with grain loading.
- Douglas
RayG8Seems that every time I find anything it is sold out. In particular I am looking for hoppers for plastic pellets
I've had the same experience, for the plastic pellet hoppers, so I've taken some generic 55' foot ACF hoppers, added different roof hatches, and will make do.
I know it's not prototypical, as pellet hoppers are usually 64', but it works for me.
I stripped the cars of the original paint, added more covers, along with the vented covers, and repainted in generic whites and tans, like the prototypes are.
I'm finishing up the decal work now, then dull coat, weathering, and back in service.
The hatches at the bottom don't really need any other details, maybe other than the covers painted blue.
The cars need to have the bottom hatch fittings for a hose, and NOT the slide gate found on a grain hopper. And the covers need to be round hatches, NOT the trough hatch.
Mike.
My You Tube