Where to Put weight on coal hoppers

[JeremyB]

Hi guys

As you guys know coal hoppers don't have that many places to hide some much needed weight so where can some be placed ,Or, what can I buy that would look like real coal???

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

on the outside of the ends

[Anonymous]

For the 36' twin bay hoppers I run empty I use metal wheelsets and metal Kadee couplers. I have used the #4 coupler which uses a metal gearbox. You can purchase metal trucks with working springs. As for loads, I grind up charcoal used in the filters for aquariums. Make a false bottom out of cardboard and fill the car with the fine ground charcoal. Don't put your false bottom too high in the car and make it top heavy. Experiment with it to get the weight and depth close.

[jeep35]

One thing you can do is to use sheet lead. Cut out a piece and trim it to fit into the bottom of the hopper or use two pieces and glue them to where the floor slopes down from the ends. You can glue it with epoxy or one of the caulk type glues that you can get at a home improvement store. Make sure you wash your hands after handling lead or wear disposable gloves.

[easyaces]

I do about the same as "Tweet469" does, but I use a few BB's or #5 lead shot superglued in the bays, and then cover it over with a fake load. Seems to work pretty well.

[Anonymous]

Put it under the load that's what i did

[tomwatkins]

The sheet lead works very well ,particularly for empty cars. Once it's painted it's hardly noticeable. Under a load just about anything will work. Arizona Rock and Mineral makes great looking scale coal in a variety of sizes to simulate different grades of coal.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[emdgp92]

On my open hoppers, I replace the wheelsets with metal ones, and then pack the center sill with moldeable lead.

[Anonymous]

I am guessing that my N-scale hoppers, which I want to be able to run empty, will need to have moldable lead squished into the triangular voids between the hoppers, on the underside, as well as in the center sill.