SOME FREIGHT CAR MODIFICATIONS...

[doctorwayne]

Finally got these TH&B cars into service...











...along with the EG&E cinder car, which is based on a TH&B prototype car...



I have six TH&B hoppers to build next, using Stewart (Bowser) kits, and two similar cars which were done a number of years ago, based on an article in RMC.  While the latter two are quite accurate to their prototypes, they're better suited to a layout set in a post WWII era, or even in the '60s, as these were very long-lived cars.  Built in 1914, some of them saw service into 1970, albeit carrying ballast rather than coal.

Here's a couple views of one of the two cars already converted...







Both of them need their brake gear to be converted to the KC-type, the so-called split-K, along with the brake wheel on a vertical staff, some changes to the lettering, and a couple of extra handholds on their ends
The six new ones (two r-t-r painted for TH&B - same numbers and too modern, and four in undecorated kit form, will all need their ladders and cast-on grabirons converted to wire grabirons, along with older style brake gear and lettering more appropriate to the era.  Surprisingly, these diminutive cars (about 31' inside length) had a rated capacity of 65 tons.

Wayne