Old Rapido

[sd75i]

Finally got glued roof off. Anybody work with these cars? Trying to remove bottom but already split end crossover. Also not having luck getting trucks off! I'm sure someone here has mastered these! Any help would be appreciated!

[sd75i]

More pics

[OldEastRR]

You might be better off buying the KATO short covered hopper and carefully cutting the openings in the sides. They have the internal bracing modeled.

[nkalanaga]

The trucks are riveted on.  Removing them will almost require finding another way to reattach them.  I cut the entire post off, made a new body bolster, and used MT (then KD) trucks on mine.

I have one of those hoppers.  It came as an "operating hopper car", not a covered hopper.  Looked a little odd to me, 50 years ago, so I built a new roof and made it a covered hopper.  It's still in service, and will still dump the load, if I had a ramp to operate it.  I never did have one.  It looks like the covered hopper version lacks the hopper doors and springs.

[sd75i]

  Thank You for the info.  Great info and ideas.  Were you able to get bottom off without destroying the crossover ends?  I already have cracks on each end.  Thanks again!

[sd75i]

A little progress!

[nkalanaga]

I never tried to take the floor out, as the top was already open.  On mine the floor is metal, including the hoppers, with a plastic "door piece" sliding above it, and springs at both ends.  There is a tab on each side that opens the doors when it's pushed by the unloading ramp.

My car is extra heavy, as it's filled with lead shot, and has been for over 40 years!  Yes, if I open the doors, the shot falls out...

[sd75i]

  For me it will be better to get bottom off to deal with truck replacement.  Mine appears to be a thin metal as well.  This is gonna be a fun project whether it comes out or not.  I am hoping to finish 1 project out 5,146 with my cots syndrome!