Do You Run Any Freight Cars That Have No Purpose

[cv_acr]

SeeYou190

Unless you model a whole division, isn't  everything "bridge traffic"? 

 

Not really - bridge traffic is by definition stuff that doesn't originate or terminate at any customer on the railroad but passes completely through end to end (or at least from one interchange point to another).

 

Even if you did model an entire division, or even an entire railroad, you could very well have a large volume of bridge traffic.

And if you model a tiny little stub-end branchline terminal with no in-town interchange with another railroad, then none of it is bridge traffic. All of it exists purely for industries on the branch.

[stokesda]

This thread has inspired me to get one of those ScaleTrains carbon black covered hoppers... If only they weren't all sold out! (d'oh!)

[csxns]

stokesda

caleTrains carbon black covered hoppers.

I have several and they are great looking.

[bluewavecaptain]

I have a car ferry on my layout. So technically I can run almost any car type.

[BATMAN]

stokesda

This thread has inspired me to get one of those ScaleTrains carbon black covered hoppers... If only they weren't all sold out! (d'oh!)

These ones?

https://www.pwrs.ca/product_search.php?f_Manufacturers%5B%5D=6502&f_ProductTypes=null&f_Keywords=hopper&f_HasSound=0&f_HasDCC=0&InStock=1  

 

 

[Track fiddler]

csxns

 

 

Track fiddler

grain hopper cars. Especially the two bay ones.

 

 

Don't think grain shippers ship grain in two bays.

 

 

I stand corrected. Makes sense to me csxns. Still my favorite Center flow Hopper car though.

Maybe that's why Lion was saying plastic pellets or sand. I'm speculating smaller hopper cars are for heavier loads, maybe comparable to 40 ton ore cars opposed to 70 ton coal cars?  I honestly don't know all there is to know about railroad prototypicality but I'm learning all the time. This is what makes this hobby fun.

My layout is based on a wilderness remote region due to the fact I grew up in that neck of the woods and like the scenery.  If these hopper cars are not just passing through maybe they're bringing sand to the area, stocking up for the roads in the winter.  I don't know if they had road salt in the transitional era. If they did, those hopper cars could bring that too.

Thanks for clarifying things,  I'm always willing to learn something new.   

TF

 

 

[stokesda]

BATMAN

 

 

stokesda

This thread has inspired me to get one of those ScaleTrains carbon black covered hoppers... If only they weren't all sold out! (d'oh!)

 

 

 

These ones?

https://www.pwrs.ca/product_search.php?f_Manufacturers%5B%5D=6502&f_ProductTypes=null&f_Keywords=hopper&f_HasSound=0&f_HasDCC=0&InStock=1  

 

 

 

Yup, them's it. I like the newer, smaller capacity ones better, looks like they only have one road name/number in stock of that type. I know they've been sold out at ST for a while now.

I think I'll pass, though. I need another "run through" freight car type like I need another hole in my head. I already have a bunch of crude oil tank cars (thank you, ScaleTrains!), woodchip gondolas, and well cars that don't have an industry home on my (present) layout!

[Doughless]

I'm now more interested in modeling the southeast than the midwest.  Grain hoppers are no longer really needed but I will run them anyway.  Its a switching layout so if there's no elevator or mill, they will have to be handled via staging. 

[doctorwayne]

Track fiddler

This is my favorite two bay center flow hopper. I only have one, I'd like about six. They're very hard to find. I lost one to another bidder in an eBay auction last month.

That car looks very similar to the old Ramax covered hopper.  It was available, as far as I'm aware, only as an undecorated flat kit:  separate parts for the sides, ends, roof and underbody.  I had several of them when I was modelling a more modern era than I am now.  There are some photos (not mine) to be seen HERE

stokesda

This thread has inspired me to get one of those ScaleTrains carbon black covered hoppers...

This one, from Rail Shop, fits right into my layout's late '30s-era, although it may be too old-style for your needs....

Unfortunately, I couldn't find Columbian Carbon decals, so used those provided with the kit.

Wayne

 

[cv_acr]

bluewavecaptain

I have a car ferry on my layout. So technically I can run almost any car type.

 

 

And where do the cars go once they come off the ferry?

[SeeYou190]

doctorwayne

Unfortunately, I couldn't find Columbian Carbon decals, so used those provided with the kit.

.

I built this covered hopper car starting with a Funaro & Camerlengo Carbon Black hopper kit.

.

I added square roof hatches and built new bottom outlet doors for it.

.

.

-Kevin

.

[SeeYou190]

cv_acr

And where do the cars go once they come off the ferry?

.

They go into a drawer, and the cars from the next drawer down go onto the ferry.

.

I had a ten drawer unit, and repeated the cycle all the way down, then started back at the top.

.

-Kevin

.

[Track fiddler]

Thanks Wayne

Very similar it is.  I'm going to look into that kit.  I sometimes like to have a more relaxed hobby on a Saturday afternoon than a complex elaborate bridge to build.  I need a break from these bridges sometimes.  

I'm starting to think I may just really like yellow.  I happen to have a long dog of what you displayed.

I noticed on the site you provided for the kit, there were just blank yellow parts to this 2 Bay Hopper. It makes me wonder if I could get Chicago Northwestern decals to complete the kit.  The yellows of the two are not a Dead Ringer but close enough for me. Sometimes Reds and yellows fade in the sun anyway.  If the cars look different, the more realistic it is anyway.

Thanks for the info.     Track Fiddler

 

[Track fiddler]

SeeYou190

 

 

cv_acr

And where do the cars go once they come off the ferry?

 

 

.

They go into a drawer, and the cars from the next drawer down go onto the ferry.

.

I had a ten drawer unit, and repeated the cycle all the way down, then started back at the top.

.

-Kevin

.

 

Maybe just me but that was hilarious and you didn't even have a :-) my kind of humor

Thanks for that    TF

[mbinsewi]

I have collected quite a few of those Ramax cars.  DocWaynes post shook my memory !  Thanks !

They are in various states of assembly, picked up off Ebay through the years.

I'll get that sand train together yet.

This turned out to be a great thread TF!

Do you mind if I barge in and show my plastic pellet hoppers?  Thanks, I was hopeing you'd say yes.

Started out as the basic 55' ACF ceneter flow, they are still 55', but I stripped them of lettering, painted, added basic data decals, rearanged the hatch locations, and added some shop fashioned vented hatch covers found on the prototype, lightly weathered them, new truck, couplers and IM wheel sets:

Thanks TF for the space.  I owe ya! 

Mike.

 

[Track fiddler]

No problem Mike I'll gladly accept your beer, raise you a beer and cheers you!

TF

I can't wait till my layout gets to the point where I can finally see something like yours is  I still have a picture of your waterfalls in my RR photo log.

I revisited your image posted.  Very nice modeling Mike. Dealing with Kraft for a living all my life, I can appreciate your work.

[Track fiddler]

For the record. 

I occasionally post a thread.  It is all easy going here.  No one can ruffle any feathers. We all have already ruffled them through the years and are seasoned now. 

Text, pictures, discussion, debate, disagreement, ...... we're not that fancy,  we are all good here.

TF

[mbinsewi]

Thanks TF !  That bare masonite area on the left of that string of cars is for a kit-bashed/scratch built station that is on my bench, under construction.

Here's a picture from a couple of years ago, seeing how it will fit.  Yea, I said a couple of years ago. 

Have a great night.

Mike.

 

[doctorwayne]

Good-looking covered hoppers, Mike, and it looks like there's some very nicely-done layout in the background, too.  More photos would not be inappropriate.

Wayne

[wp8thsub]

doctorwayne

That car looks very similar to the old Ramax covered hopper.  It was available, as far as I'm aware, only as an undecorated flat kit:  separate parts for the sides, ends, roof and underbody. 

Those were available in a number of roadnames.  A revised version was later sold by Detail Associates, with improved end cages, gates, and other details, but retaining the running boards of the original Ramax kit.

DSC00527

by wp8thsub, on Flickr

Here's one of the Detail Associates versions awaiting loading at my cement plant.

DSC03166

by wp8thsub, on Flickr

I have quite a few cars that do nothing but run through from east staging to west staging.  Above are some Arrowhead Models D&RGW hoppers delivering coal from an off-layout source to another off-layout customer.

DSC03229 (2)

by wp8thsub, on Flickr

Here's a load of lumber doing the same thing - originating and terminating off the layout.  Provided you have more than one way for cars to get on or off the modeled part of your railroad, you can use lots of cars that would otherwise have no role with your on-line customers.  Route them between interchanges and/or staging destinations representing additional parts of your road.

[Paul3]

When I had my layout, all cars on the layout had a purpose.  The post-war NH that I modeled was mostly loads in, empties out.  I followed this by having one staging yard at the end of the mainline, then had two freight yards and 4 switching areas (two locals per yard).  The freight car count on the layout was around 300 cars.

Between sessions, I had roughly 100 cars in staging, 80 cars at industries, 50 cars going to industries, 50 cars going to staging, and 20 cars in storage tracks (10 in each yard).

Each and every car had an industry it served on my layout: TOFC, reefers, stockcars, flats, gondolas, hoppers, tanks, covered hoppers, etc.  Any cars I own that didn't fit my layout were in boxes under it; most of those were sold off as time went by.

I restrict myself to modeling NH, and it saves me time and money.  It also means that I don't buy things that wouldn't fit my interest, and since I only model what I'm interested in, I have no conflict between buying what I want and using what I have.  Either it fits into my operation or it's gone.  The only exceptions are for sentimental reasons (club cars and the like).

[Southgate]

I have an ISL, but can and will run the oddballs on through freights. Dan

[mbinsewi]

Well thank you very much Wayne!

I didn't feel like spending close to $50 for the Walthers 65' pellet hoppers, so I made do.

You can click on any of the photos I post, and you'll go to my Photobucket.  You should be able to see everything.

If you do, pay no attention to that little video screen on the lower right hand side.  I have no control over that, it's a PB thing.

When I'm logged into my account, I don't get that.

In a past thread, about small layouts?  Not too long ago,I posted a complete end to end view of what I have.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/273853.aspx

Scroll down a ways.

Mike.

[maxman]

Track fiddler

This is my favorite two bay center flow hopper. I only have one, I'd like about six. They're very hard to find. I lost one to another bidder in an eBay auction last month.

If that is the Ramax model, they are not that hard to find.  I bet I can find several on my not yet built and may never be shelf.  Hearld King used to make a bunch of different decals to fit them.

[MisterBeasley]

I have a white Toys R Us boxcar with a picture of Jeffrey the Giraffe on it.  I would only put it on the tracks if kids were coming over to look at the layout.

When I got this (my sister found it at a yard sale) it had horn hooks, one of which was mounted upside down.

[mbinsewi]

maxman

If that is the Ramax model, they are not that hard to find.

I have a few.  I'm not sure if Ramax ever had an N scale.  That's what TF models.

Mike.

[maxman]

mbinsewi

I'm not sure if Ramax ever had an N scale.

N scale?  Pretty sure they didn't.

Never mind!

[dknelson]

csxns

Track fiddler

grain hopper cars. Especially the two bay ones.

 

 Don't think grain shippers ship grain in two bays.

I believe the C&NW two bay centerflows that were painted yellow were assigned to ADM service, so I assume some sort of grain was shipped in them.  (Someone once told me that if you see a C&NW covered hopper painted yellow, think of it as grain because beer and corn are yellow.)

But it is true most of the two bays were used for heavier loads that would be too much weight for the larger covered hoppers.  The CNW had some in gray that I assume were for sand or cement or such.  Heavy and dense.  They also had some in a deep green - not sure of the loads for those.  I do know the yellow paint CNW used tended to fade rather quickly.

Dave Nelson

[PRR8259]

Hey there Track Fiddler--

I have not read any other replies, so am replying to the OP.

My layout is designed to depict (mostly) Southwestern Mojave Desert or semi-desert scenery.  There are no industries to serve whatsoever and currently only one barn on a farm property.  That is it.  I'm attempting to model the wide open spaces and long mainline runs typical of the region.  It's a very minimalist trackplan and approach, for someone that likes watching long trains roll.

So one could argue that none of my rolling stock has any purpose other than I run what I want from mainly the 1970's and '80's.

I graduated high school during 1986, when the SPSF Merger was in the works (but ultimately denied) and as I get older I find that I prefer the Kodachrome paint schemes the most.  I like Santa Fe yellow warbonnet, and I like tunnel motors, so it's the best of both worlds.

Shouldn't Paint So Fast = the railroad that, for me, should have been.

John Mock

[riogrande5761]

I don't have a layout until the basement is finished and can start building one so none of my cars have a purpose right now.

The planned layout will be  protolance of the D&RGW at Grand Junction and west, which is part of a bridge route.  So like Rob, much of the freight will be traveling across the represented parts and back into staging.  Others will surve on-line industry.