Interior Hopper bracing for Bowser H12a model from Keystone Details

[Lemosteam]

The Bowser H21a model is a fine example of a PRR class hopper, but the interior leaves a bit to be desired.  Keystone Details announces a new 5 car value interior bracing upgrade kit.  The kit is designed to fit the Bowser H21a and to align with the rivet plates on the outer ribs.  As such, we also offer an optional locating fixture to align the length and height location of the braces (see below).

The kit comes with 25 single braces and 10 dual ribbed braces (see images).

I suspect the braces will also fit the Bowser PRR GLa class as well if the interior width is the same, YMMV.

These would be appropriate for all Bowser H21a road names, as far as I know.

The kit can be purchased through the Keystone Details website here

Image below by Christopher Young



The Hoper brace alignment fixture can be obtained as well here



Two historical images:





All images below by Christopher Young:







Image of the fixture in use in the car, images by Christopher Young:

[amato1969]

Whoa, really nice upgrade kit!

  Frank

[Lemosteam]

Thanks @amato1969 , This was a customer request from Christopher, so his idea.

I can't wait to see someone weather the inside of a coal hopper with these inside.

If you add a magnet on the inside of the coal load, it could be lifted off with a metal rod on the fly, lol.

I have to order some myself. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That's hot!

I love innovative things like this.

[bbussey]

I can't wait to see someone weather the inside of a coal hopper with these inside.

Like this?



It's neat to have these available for the Bowser hoppers, but there are Bachmann and Atlas N hoppers already that include the cross bracing.

[Lemosteam]

Like this?



It's neat to have these available for the Bowser hoppers, but there are Bachmann and Atlas N hoppers already that include the cross bracing.

Are those ready to run N Scale H21's?  Most PRR guys have lots and lots of bowsers, myself included.

[Chris333]

It will never reach injection molding!   

[Lemosteam]

AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! 

At least not on the surfaces facing the build plate!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Weathering the inside of hoppers, you say?

[CR4100]

Weathering the inside of hoppers, you say?

That's really nice looking.

[Lemosteam]

Weathering the inside of hoppers, you say?

Ah, but imagine the weathering on the braces that prevent the walls from bowing out under the mass of the aggregate loads!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ah, but imagine the weathering on the braces that prevent the walls from bowing out under the mass of the aggregate loads!

If you do braces for the inside of these MDC/Athearn cars I won't have to!

[bbussey]

Are those ready to run N Scale H21's?  Most PRR guys have lots and lots of bowsers, myself included.

I was responding to this post (my emphasis):

I can't wait to see someone weather the inside of a coal hopper with these inside.

That's a general reference to coal hoppers, not H21s specifically.  Point being, there are N open hopper models (plural) from manufacturers (plural) that include cross bracing.

[Lemosteam]

I was responding to this post (my emphasis):

That's a general reference to coal hoppers, not H21s specifically.  Point being, there are N open hopper models (plural) from manufacturers (plural) that include cross bracing.

Understood, except that the announcement is specifically about Bowser cars. And your Bachmann looks nice.

But still, and I could be wrong, but I don’t believe any other manufacturer makes a model of an H21 or it’s subclasses.

[towl1996]

Looks like another kick a$$ product for the Pennsy modeler from Keystone Details! Thanks @Lemosteam for putting this out there! Now the empty H21s will look more prototypical. Gotta try them on the Bowser GLas.