IM 2 bay covered hoppers

[sirenwerks]

What's the prototype/phase for these cars? In particular, when were they released and who had them? I know the GN and CB&Q schemes are foobies, as they had earlier versions like the ones made by Athearn, and am wondering what others are too.

Thanks for the input,

Bryan B.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I know the Southdown hoppers were really made by Trinity, so those are also foobs. I think the modern ACF 2 bay hopper was introduced in the mid 70's.

Have you compaired the Atheran car to IM and Micro Trains? Man does Athearn have fine end details. The ladder rungs are 1/3 the size of IM's. One of the very best cars in n scale right now.

[sirenwerks]

There's a seller that's got a bunch of 2 and 3 bay version of the IM car dirt cheap, so I am wondering if I can use them as is in a 1969 setting, or mod them to fit. Maybe remove the horizontal ribs just under the roofwalk braces? I'm not sure that's all that would be required, which is why I am throwing the query to the pack.

I love the Athearn models and am collecting them as I can in GN, NP, and CB&Q, and some side roads that I know they are proto for. They are beautiful, and I wish they'd do the 3 bay as well, and release more paint schemes for the 2 bay.

Bryan B.

[christoph]

I think the MTL and IM cars are good models, but Athearn has the advantage of the newer (model) design.
It seems to be a good idea not to couple them together 

[sirenwerks]

Quality of models aside, what prototype car is the IM model based on though?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Its after 1970. I forget the year they lost the horizontal rib. Wheres Robb when you need him?

[Mark5]

1971 for losing the "rib" on the 5250, maybe it's the same on the two bays.