Atlas 2-bay hopper height change?

[nickelplate759]

I just got 10 of the most recent run of Atlas 2-bay offset-side hoppers (the W&LE and P&WV cars), and
they  ride higher compared to older runs (which were perfect).
They are now too high to body mount MT 1015 couplers without shimming, and they stand noticeably taller than the older cars. 

I can fix it of course, but it's an odd change and unwelcome - did Atlas change manufacturers between runs perhaps?

George

[nickelplate759]

A little experimentation has solved the mystery.  It isn't the car itself, it's the trucks.  The newer run has visibly different 50T trucks, and they have a higher bolster.   Putting trucks from the old run under the new car "fixes" the problem, except that I don't have any extras of the old truck     

George

[mecgp7]

Complete conjecture on my part, but I spoke with Corey at Atlas about the first run of these hoppers. The coupler box hit the bottom of the hopper and actually tilted the truck so that the inside wheels didn't ride on the rails. They may have made an adjustment.

[SkipGear]

A little experimentation has solved the mystery.  It isn't the car itself, it's the trucks.  The newer run has visibly different 50T trucks, and they have a higher bolster.   Putting trucks from the old run under the new car "fixes" the problem, except that I don't have any extras of the old truck     

George

Contact Atlas and let them know of the problem. They have changed production facilities and that may be an issue that they need to addresss.