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Car Load Assistance

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,281 posts
Car Load Assistance
Posted by FRRYKid on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 3:08 AM

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.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 4:42 AM
Just in case you have no luck finding a commercially available coal load, here’s a link if you have to make some.
 

 
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 7:56 AM

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.

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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 8:06 AM

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

 

Alton Junction

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 11:21 AM

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!

  • Member since
    February 2008
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Posted by kasskaboose on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 5:25 PM

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.

  • Member since
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  • From: Central Vermont
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Posted by cowman on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 8:14 PM

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

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
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Posted by FRRYKid on Thursday, July 4, 2024 2:51 AM

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 

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.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, July 4, 2024 4:48 AM

Coal loads are so easy to make that there is no reason to buy pre-made loads. 

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, July 4, 2024 6:16 AM

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, July 4, 2024 6:35 AM

Here is a photo of my coal loads. A styrene base and Woodland Scenics coal.

Rich

  

 

Alton Junction

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Posted by maxman on Thursday, July 4, 2024 10:23 AM

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.

  • Member since
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  • From: Miles City, Montana
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Posted by FRRYKid on Friday, July 5, 2024 2:16 AM

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.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    September 2002
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Posted by ndbprr on Friday, July 5, 2024 1:59 PM

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

  • Member since
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Posted by PC101 on Friday, July 5, 2024 3:27 PM

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.

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