Comme-N-tary Column - 4
reliable cars that couple
more closely to proto-
type distances.
The few cars used on local
jobs were gathered from
the initial two-bay cars
fully equipped with M-T
body mount couplers.
They can be switched
from both ends and spot-
ted singly if necessary.
Equipping cars with cou-
plers based on the role
they play in the operating
scheme allowed creation
of a reliable fleet while
saving money, and makes
both the accountants and
trainmasters happy.
Details
Both empty and loaded cars can use some extra details; the
loaded cars on the exterior and the empties on the inside.
Most factory coal loads are nicely shaped plastic inserts, but
don’t have the sparkle and irregular detail seen in pictures of
loaded hoppers. The inserts can be much improved by applying
scale coal.
Place the loads on a sheet of wax paper (this will make them
easy to remove once the glue dries). Spread 100% (not diluted)
Elmer’s White Glue over the insert and sprinkle your favorite
brand of scale coal over the glue. Applying different coal grades
4: AccuMate (Red Caboose)
non-operating couplers applied
to a two-bay hopper.
4
(sizes) creates the remarkable variety of loads often seen in
1950s photos. Wait for the glue to dry. Remove any excess on
the sides of the loads and add a little more glue and coal to the
bare spots.
Empty hoppers are rarely completely empty. A scattering of
coal in the bottom of the hoppers can be achieved with white
glue and scale coal, just as with the loads.
Some of the models include the interior bracing common in
early steel hopper cars. The bracing can easily be added to oth-
ers using plastic shapes. The PRR four-bay hoppers often had
internal cross-braces about halfway up the inside of the car. The
particular cross-section is hard to match, but can be represented
by a thin I-beam shape. Some of these cars also had triangular
gussets reinforcing the joint between the bottom and the sides
of the hoppers. These can be cut from thin sheet styrene.
Other cars had a modification that is visible whether the car is
empty or loaded. During the 1930s, a rebuild program added
5: A little scale coal improves the look of factory plastic
coal inserts
5
MRH-Jun 2013
