A general question to the entire group

[NW Modeling List]

Eric: I agree with Jim on most all of his suggestions. The BWL H2a hoppers offered over the last couple of years have greatly expanded the field for accurate N&W hopper cars. I have over 140 of the H2a. The NWHS is going to offer another series of six numbers in the Bowser HL series after the first of the year.  Also don't forget the VGN H3 hoppers the NWHS is offering. We plan to offer more in the H3 series and later to offer the modern VGN lettering in the H3 series also. The NWHS is working with several manufacturers on some other N&W and VGN hopper cars models but these cars are several years away at the present time. One thing to remember is that N&W never purchased or built any USRA 55 ton hoppers. Nor did VGN build or purchase any new 55 ton USRA hoppers. VGN did purchase several hundred used 55 ton USRA hoppers and purchased new 500 70 ton USRA hoppers in 1923. These USRA 70 ton cars were the H5 class hoppers on the VGN. 
Harold Davenport 

--- On Tue, 10/26/10, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: Re: A general question to the entire group
To: "NW Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 1:08 PM



#yiv576701603 p {margin:0;}


Eric,
 
I am approaching 25 years working on my layout....and still not near complete!
 
I have always kept an eye out for available models that closely resembled the N&W prototypes; for a long time there really was very little that was close.  MDC (Roundhouse) offered their 3-bay ribbed side hopper in multiple numbers for N&W and Virginian. The model isn't really accurate for either, but it was what was available.
 
The Athearn 34 foot rib side hopper is close to a VGN prototype and these have been offered from time to time in multiple numbers.
 
I too have acquired the Stewart/Bowser cars (or most of them) available through NWHS.  I also have picked up the H-2a models done by Broadway.
 
I have also added cars by purchasing undecorated models, building them and applying decals.  I have built more-than-I-care-to-remember of the Eastern Car Works H-2/H-2a/H-3 hopper kits.
 
Although the Shenandoah Division doesn't need as many hoppers as a "coal focused layout" I still need more hoppers since N&W shipped a lot of coal north up the valley to connections with B&O and PRR.
 
Some options are:
 
1.  Just keep purchasing the decorated models as they are produced (if you are willing to accept non-prototypical models this will allow more quantity) (Also, Bob Chapman did a series in the Arrow a few years ago, part or all of which was repeated in Mainline Modeler; Bob showed how to modify the available cars to be more prototypical for N&W; his articles are excellent.)
 
2.  Pick-up undecorated models and paint/decal them yourself; IIRC, the Commissary offers decal sets for hoppers and a number set.
 
3.  If you can afford it, have a run produced by your mfg. of preference; my suggestion would be to have the cars decorated with all lettering, reporting marks, etc., but NO numbers; you could then have decals made of the numbers and apply them.
 
4.  A variation of the #3 would be to purchase the models undecorated from the mfg and have a third party paint/stencil them.
 
I'm hopeful more N&W hopper models will become available; however, I would expect these to be produced in a medium other than plastic.  Adding a few of these will give some nice variation to the fleet.  In the past, I believe Overland Models produced the N&W H-4 in brass; this was the war-time emergency hopper and as built had wood sides; the sides were eventually replaced with steel.  N&W only had 1,000 of these cars, but they really stand out in a train.  I managed to find a steel side version of the brass car.
 
Keep the faith; part of the fun is getting there!
 
Jim Brewer
Glenwood MD

----- Original Message -----
From: "NW Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
To: "NW Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 9:21:42 AM
Subject: A general question to the entire group

Gentlemen:

I am still building my N&W coal focused layout.... into year 5...

how does one acquire the vast numbers of coal cars w/ correct but non
repeating numbers... ie buying 500 athern offset coal cars..

I have been purchasing via NWHS the bowser sets and also the Accurail
55ton cars as they become available...

This is still taking yrs to build up a 200-300 car set.

How have those of you who done this over the yrs? ie Jim Brewer's huge
layout as just one quick example.

Thanks
Eric Raitch

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