Athearn PS2 Covered Hopper

[6axlepwr]

After starting this car about three years ago I finally finished it today. I have no idea why when I get so close to finishing something I loose interest and go work on something else. At least I did finish it though.

http://www.6axlepwr.com/NSCALE_COVERED_HOPPER_01.html

My current project is rebuilding an Atlas PS2 2 bay covered hopper. I purchased a number of detail parts from the Athearn PS2 covered hopper. I cut all the hatches and gates off the Atlas one and will replace them with the Athearn parts. Today I finished installing all the grab irons. I also glued in place the Z-Scale couplers. Now I need to rebuild the brake system and add the brake line plumbing. I am going to have the roof walks custom etched. It takes me a while to get these cars done, but it is fun to see them finished.

I have a bunch of BLMA gondolas in Penn Central. I do not know if I am going to replace the grabs on them, but having a band saw and a mill, I can cut up some aluminum to make chips and create shreaded aluminum loads for them. I just need to weather the cars and put Z-Scale couplers on them.

Brian

[ai5629]

That car looks awesome.  Excellent job.  Thanks for sharing.

Jeff

[MichaelWinicki]

That's a terrific looking car!

As Penn Central modeler, I greatly appreciate seeing it.

[ednadolski]

I have no idea why when I get so close to finishing something I loose interest and go work on something else.

That never ever, ever happens to me....   

The car looks fantastic, all the elements are extremely well balanced!

Ed

[Denver Road Doug]

That never ever, ever happens to me....   

The car looks fantastic, all the elements are extremely well balanced!

Ed

Gnat Attention-Span Syndrome (GASS) goes undiagnosed in millions of model railroaders every year.   The only treatment is drinking a solution containing 5-40% alcohol.   

Seriously, GREAT looking model.  Nice job!

[lock4244]

Fantastic work Brian!

[Mark5]

Awesome job!

Contrary to popular belief, Penn Central in service freight cars were not falling apart rust buckets. Period
photos of in service cars show them as being weathered, but in rather decent shape. I wanted to represent
a dirty car, but not one that has seen years upon years of neglect.

Yeah, this jives with my memories for the most part.

Mark

[bbussey]

Looking good.

[asarge]

Great work!

[sizemore]

Nice stuff! Gotta find one of those PC cars!

The S.

[unittrain]

Awesome car!! I love that PC stuff.

[cv_acr]

After starting this car about three years ago I finally finished it today. I have no idea why when I get so close to finishing something I loose interest and go work on something else. At least I did finish it though.

The last part is the part that doesn't usually happen to me. 

[SAH]

Very well done Brian.  I like the older covered hoppers too.  And tank cars.

Steve

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Awesome job!

Yeah, this jives with my memories for the most part.

Mark

Also, I think our perception is biased by the fact that we've mostly seen them in CR era photos, at which point they were getting to be quite decrepit.

[6axlepwr]

Yes, I think you nailed it Ed. I never thought of it that way.

I would like to thank everyone for your comments. Appreciate it.

I am taking a short break from the PS2 2-bay hopper and pulled out a couple Atlas Penn Central X71 boxcars. I have put Z-Scale couplers on them, BLMA end platform and train line hose, cut the side grabs off and replaced with 0.008" brass wire, replaced the wheels with Fox Valley wheels and added the ACI label.  All that is left for me to do is repaint the roofs silver and match the PC green paint and repaint the area at the ends where I replaced the grabs. Then just weather them.

Then it will be back to designing detail parts . I will get back to the Atlas PS2. It is slated to be Penn Central. Or maybe I should dig out my Athearn airslides and weather them.

Brian