Broadway Limited's ARA 70-Ton 4-Bay Hoppers are in (PICS)

[Chris333]

Are the wheels too narrow in gauge?

[bbussey]

I didn't test them but I don't think so.  Just fat tires.  I will be swapping in FVM wheels, as I did on the other two BLI freight car models.

[Cajonpassfan]

I may be interested in two or three of the Mopac buzzsaw cars, maybe split a pack with someone?
Can anyone tell me the service dates on the Mopac cars? The BLI website photos are illegible...

As to the fat wheels, it's kind of like the new Bachmann cars: instead of replacing cheap plastic wheelsets with expensive metal ones, were now replacing expensive metal wheelsets with expensive metal ones 

Thanks, Otto K.

[Jesse6669]

These look nice (I'm really tempted by the B&O set) but the thing that drives me crazy with N-scale hoppers is the handrails that look like they are made from 2x6s.. I'd rather the cars have no handrails and just corner posts/braces, just with bolts to locate self-installed wire handrails.

Or better yet, make the ends out of a "fold up" stainless steel etching with all the corner posts, handrails, platforms, etc that wraps around the frame and body, with handrails at least closer to scale.  Those corners would be a trick, but with the right jig.. maybe..?  We have etched roofwalks, brakewheels that are almost scale, and most loco handrails are a lot better than they used to be, but man hopper cars still have a ways to go.  Well I can dream..

It's such a lot of work to cut/file these things off and retrofit with wire...   

[bbussey]

... Can anyone tell me the service dates on the Mopac cars? The BLI website photos are illegible...

The HO photos are legible and they use the same artwork.  Looks like 5/30 service date on the MP cars.

[wcfn100]

Is the Milwaukee scheme correct for a 'NEW' car?

The Morning Sun book has cars 370552-370999 listed as CTSE reporting marks.

And is it really too much to expect that a manufacturer give the road numbers for the cars?  I think number they show on the artwork is actually a 3-bay hopper. 

Jason

[Chris333]

The wide wheels don't bother me as much as their narrow gauge. I mean this car was tooled this decade. It looked like spreading the wheels would have them rubbing the sideframes. I put FVM wheels on it so I could run a lap on the layout. So buy a brand new car that still needs work. Also my H32 wobbles like crazy going down the track. I think the truck pin need replaced with a screw or something else.

[bbussey]

The wide wheels don't bother me as much as their narrow gauge. I mean this car was tooled this decade. It looked like spreading the wheels would have them rubbing the sideframes. I put FVM wheels on it so I could run a lap on the layout. So buy a brand new car that still needs work. Also my H32 wobbles like crazy going down the track. I think the truck pin need replaced with a screw or something else.

I agree on swapping in FVM wheels, as I don't at all like the look or width of the BLI wheels.  I've done so on the N&W hoppers and they roll fine.  I haven't yet swapped wheels on the H32 or ARA.  Disappointing that your H32 is wobbling even after the wheel upgrade.

[Snark45]

The wide wheels don't bother me as much as their narrow gauge. I mean this car was tooled this decade. It looked like spreading the wheels would have them rubbing the sideframes. I put FVM wheels on it so I could run a lap on the layout. So buy a brand new car that still needs work. Also my H32 wobbles like crazy going down the track. I think the truck pin need replaced with a screw or something else.

Have you carefully inspected the FVM wheels you subbed in on that particular car? I have on rare occasion had FVM wheels bad right out of the packaging (off-center boring; one was even reversed on the axle shaft!). I have subbed in FVM wheels on a total of six H-32’s with no wobbling problems…   Best, Harry

[Cajonpassfan]

The HO photos are legible and they use the same artwork.  Looks like 5/30 service date on the MP cars.

Thanks Bryan, much appreciated!
Of course the "Route of the Eagles" with the large buzzsaw logo came much later (guessing late forties?). Any Mopac guys here to help enlighten me?

Thanks again, Otto K.

[Chris333]

Have you carefully inspected the FVM wheels you subbed in on that particular car? I have on rare occasion had FVM wheels bad right out of the packaging (off-center boring; one was even reversed on the axle shaft!). I have subbed in FVM wheels on a total of six H-32’s with no wobbling problems…   Best, Harry

It isn't the wheels. More like the bolster pin lets the truck wobble side to side too much. I'll have to take a closer look when I have more time. Just figured all BLI cars were the same.

[haasmarc]

Also my H32 wobbles like crazy going down the track. I think the truck pin need replaced with a screw or something else.

Chris,

The H32 I tested didn't wobble per say but it did want to lean.  I removed the truck pins and noticed that the bolster tube that comes up through the truck stuck up above the truck a little.  I filed the tube down flush or slightly below the trucks.  When I put the pin back in, the truck was a little stiff to rotate so I pulled the pin back out ever so slightly.  The car now sits straight up and is very solid.  No wobble at all.

I also put FVM wheels in it and noticed that it didn't roll as free as it did with the BLI wheels, but they definitely look much better.

The bays underneath are also closer to the rails than the FVM H30.  Haven't checked whether that is correct or not but just an observation as I ran it around the layout.
 

[Chris333]

Marc,

Thanks, I'll give that a try when I get home.

Oh BTW thanks for the car 

Edit: That worked!

[Cajonpassfan]

Okay, who wants to split a six pack of the Mopac buzzsaw hoppers with me? I only need two or three but can't find a dealer willing to split the pack.
Otto K.

[Sokramiketes]

Is the Milwaukee scheme correct for a 'NEW' car?

The Morning Sun book has cars 370552-370999 listed as CTSE reporting marks.

And is it really too much to expect that a manufacturer give the road numbers for the cars?  I think number they show on the artwork is actually a 3-bay hopper. 

Jason

New? Not without the CMStP&P herald.