Hi,

could any one please tell me which type of covered hoppers are used to transport bulk materials like Soda Ash and sand?

If possible what models are available in HO would be great, my layout is Transload yard and I want to include Soda Ash being delivered for truck transport to local glass maker and possibly Sand being trucked to yard to be delivered by rail to another location.

Thank you.

Here is a hopper commonly used for soda ash in Southern California:
[attachment=9091]
Someone who is more of a freight car expert than I am can say exactly what make and model it is, but I think a model is available from Intermountain.

I don't have a photo of a sand car handy. As of the mid-1980s, sand was hauled to a stucco manufacturer in the Los Angeles area in ordinary 70-ton covered hoppers otherwise used for cement, etc.

Sand is usually carried in short two-bay hoppers. Soda ash would be carried in three-bay grain-type hoppers.

The Atlas Trainman Thrall 4750 hopper would be a cheap way to start hauling soda ash on your layout and their two-bay PS-2 hopper would be good for sand service.

Thanks guys, I will have a look in my local shop here in the UK and see what he has that will be suitable.

Looking at what I have already I think the following could be used for the Soda Ash:

Trainman ACF3560 Centre Flow

Hello jhock---welcome to Big Blue.This covered hopper is a TRUELINE TRAINS model---it was custom weathered by my friend Doctor Wayne