Yet another one for my Forum friends. Does anyboady have any ideas where I might find some coal loads to fit the old (pre-Horizon Hobby) HO Roundhouse Thrall Gondolas? I have some that have loads and some that don't. I have checked Walthers and a few other places with no success. As usual any ideas would be most welcomed.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Don't think Chooch is around anymore but they had some, check e-bay. Just checked, they are out there, also Pre-size made some.
rrebell Don't think Chooch is around anymore but they had some, check e-bay. Just checked, they are out there, also Pre-size made some.
Rich
Alton Junction
Have you considered making your own? It's quite easy. All you need is some pink foam, black paint, glue, a large steel washer (optional) and some material that resembles coal.
Carve the foam to the shape that you want, paint it black, cover it in glue (Aileen's works, so will any white or yellow carpenters glue), and cover it with the coal material. A second coat of glue (diluted) will stick everything down.
The washer is used to make the load easy to remove. Glue it onto the bottom of the load and then you can use a magnet to lift the load out easily.
There are lots of choices for the coal material. I lucked out a few years ago when I found two bottles of florists gravel in a dollar store that looks exactly like medium sized Ho scale coal. Aquarium gravel will work although it can be pricey. Keep in mind that you only need 1/4" or so over the foam to make it look like a full load. I'm sure there are suppliers in the hobby who sell coal but I can't name any off hand.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Only thing I can add is leaving some hoppers without coal loads.
What's described above is how I make coal loads for hoppers. I would also add is using cardboard or stryene and place it over the hopper. You then flip over the hopper and trace the top on the cardboard or stryene. This serves as the template for the coal load. You need to remove about 1/8" in from each side to account for the outer edges of the hopper.
I made my own, much like those above. Carved extruded foam, glossy black latex paint, did embed a washer. Lined the car and draped Saran Wrap over the sides to protect from paint, sprinkled on hobby shop coal, got a small magnetic pick up tool to remove the loads
richhotrain rrebell Don't think Chooch is around anymore but they had some, check e-bay. Just checked, they are out there, also Pre-size made some. Chooch Enterprises is alive and well. Walthers acquired the company when the owner retired. Rich
Chooch Enterprises is alive and well. Walthers acquired the company when the owner retired.
Checked Walthers for the Chooch loads and there weren't any for the Roundhouse cars I have.
Pre-size was also a miss for those cars.
Coal loads are so easy to make that there is no reason to buy pre-made loads.
I make my own similar to mentioned above.
Depending on the load required I have boxes of fish, boxes of ammunition, pit props. Lift them out, return empty or add another load.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Here is a photo of my coal loads. A styrene base and Woodland Scenics coal.
JWD advertises coal loads for Roundhouse 50 foot Thrall gons:
https://www.jwdpremiumproducts.com/jwd-easyfit-1697-fine-coal-load-for-roundhouse-50-thrall-gondolas-ho/
Motrak models also offers coal loads, similar to https://www.hobbylinc.com/motrak-model-train-freight-cars
I read somewhere that they would make up loads for any car, but you would have to contact them directly and ask. I don't know if the economics would be viable if your are only looking for just a couple car's worth.
maxman JWD advertises coal loads for Roundhouse 50 foot Thrall gons: https://www.jwdpremiumproducts.com/jwd-easyfit-1697-fine-coal-load-for-roundhouse-50-thrall-gondolas-ho/ Motrak models also offers coal loads, similar to https://www.hobbylinc.com/motrak-model-train-freight-cars I read somewhere that they would make up loads for any car, but you would have to contact them directly and ask. I don't know if the economics would be viable if your are only looking for just a couple car's worth.
I'd be looking for 5 car loads worth if that makes any difference. I have some Motrak loads on the way for some Stewart hoppers I have and I'll see what those look like as well.
As to the JWD, that would be possible. I just need to figure out if the loads I already have are coarse or fine as they have both options.
I had posted this several years ago but there is a sandblasting media called Black Beauty that is perfect for HO coal loads. it comes in a fifty pound bag and was $6.00 when I bought a bag twenty years ago. Might be more like $20.00 now but it looks great and you could sell a pound to each of your friends to cover the cost
With the course or fine coal loads, would there be a chance you have two locations that will take different size coal loads? Fine coal only goes to "X" location and "Y" location would only take course loads. Now you would have to be sure to send the correct load to the correct location.