BLI H2A Hopper Final Production Sample Photos on Facebook

[bbussey]

So, the small N&W is pre 1956?

These cars were everywhere on NS.

The 17" lettering is from the first batch of cars built in 1948.  The number series on the 24" lettering BLI cars is from the second prototype batch of cars.  I don't have the built date or service date used on the models, but the 24" scheme was in effect in 1956 so that's my reasoning for going with the larger lettering.  The PRR cars are too late for me.  The B&O cars appear to be in my era, based on the scheme used, but I have plenty of other B&O models that are both prototypically correct and region-appropriate to fill out the rather sizable constant B&O hopper presence in 1950s New England.

[skm]

And B&O.  I think those three are the only prototypical roads for the model.

C'mon Bryan, help a fellow out!
17" lettering survived into the 60's at least.....    24" started in 1951, yes?

Teichmoeller says;
B&O leased H3s (visually identical externally) from 1944-1948 (short window!)
Wabash purchased 392 cars in 1962
Illinois Central lease in 1944 (not proven?)
W&LE (rumored)

The other roads issued might be Foobs, but I'm happy that these are being done, even though the Pennsy versions are too late for me. The tooling looks as good as anything else being produced. I never thought I'd see an H32 in plastic either, and I can't wait to double-head an M1 with a diesel!!

[nkalanaga]

The GN is certainly a foob, as they (apparently) never had a hopper with a peaked end, and all of their three bay hoppers had more ribs than that.  The lettering seems to have been based on the ballast hoppers, so is a legitimate scheme, although it doesn't seem to have been used on ribbed side cars.  The GN might have used it on these, though, if they had bought some.

They did buy/lease used three bay hoppers, so the IDEA of them having these isn't implausible.  I won't buy them, but if BLI wants to sell them, more power to them.  I have Bluford's cars, and have the new Atlas cars on order, so should have enough hoppers.

[ai5629]

These cars further prove to myself that I chose a good second era for modeling: 9/57 PRR.  This is another model that I can run that came onto the Pennsy in 1957.  My original three reasons for 1957 were Bowser H21a in SK (shop date 57), ESM G26 in SK (shop date 57) and BLMA ACF gondola G31a  in SK (shop date 57).  Thanks.

Jeff

[sizemore]

I expect more out of BLI. If you told me that car was made by Bachmann I would totally believe it. That said if they come in at the right street price and sold in singles I may grab a couple in the East Coast roadnames.

The S.

[bbussey]

C'mon Bryan, help a fellow out!
17" lettering survived into the 60's at least.....    24" started in 1951, yes?

Heh!  The year 1951 precedes 1956, no?

Teichmoeller says;
B&O leased H3s (visually identical externally) from 1944-1948 (short window!)
Wabash purchased 392 cars in 1962
Illinois Central lease in 1944 (not proven?)
W&LE (rumored)

So the Wabash and Illinois Central cars are legit.  Good news in that regard.

[unittrain]

I pre-ordered a set of N&W 24" letters if anyone is interested I would trade 1 for a Wabash and 1 for a Pennsy or NYC.

[Spikre]

 
  EL leased a number of H2s from the late 60s until the Bankruptcy,
  but don't know the exact dates.
  do know that when the EL 77 Ton Triple fleet was large enuff the
  cars went back to N&W.
  and the pics seen mainly show the large lettering if it can be seen.
   if the N trucks are shrunken HO trucks they will be an odd ASF A-3
  with some AAR looking curves.
       Spikre