Arvid Anderson Brass Hopper...

Yup. All kits; got one of the gondola kits to build - a box of brass parts and strips.  Looks like a good exercise in burnt fingers,

@mwb posted:

Yup. All kits; got one of the gondola kits to build - a box of brass parts and strips.  Looks like a good exercise in burnt fingers,

😁. I have complete faith in you. 👍

Will post some pictures when the hopper arrives...

Mark in Oregon

I wrote up a build of one in O Scale Resource a few years back.  Build the jig carefully as it's accuracy  will be reflected in your build.  Measure three times, cut once.  Take your time and all will go well.  Plan on dummy couplers as Kadees  require some modification at the end.  If you're determined to use Kadees, you'll have to chop a little.

Hi Tom

Thanks for the input. I will look for your article.

I guess I should have mentioned the piece I'm buying is already assembled, painted and decaled. From the photos,it looks like a nicely done job, with just a few very minor tweaks needed... which is exactly what I look for when buying anything train-related.

And I think I see what you mean about the Kadees, given how the couplers are mounted in those "channels".

Something to look forward to. 🙂

Mark in Oregon

Here is an Arvid Anderson kit-built hopper I put together in 1969.  I bought the kit at Gilbert's Hobby Shop in Gettysburg. It was a great learning experience.  I put on a pair of Central Locomotive Works then-new Delrin couplers. To keep the spring-loaded draft gear, I joined both couplers with .019" dia. brass rod through the center sill with the springs nested in each coupler shank.  Because the model was so light when done, I added some weight down in the hoppers and put a wood carved and finished coal load on top.  The car number is from N&W hoppers I saw on the former PRR "high line" through Chambersburg PA when I was in the Cumberland Valley back then.   

I found another built up Anderson hopper on E-bay several years ago, not too well built. Got to bolt together some courage to take it apart for a do-over . . .  someday!

S. Islander

Very nice indeed. You are quite the craftsman. 👍

Are those Gloor Craft trucks?

Mark in Oregon

The trucks under the N&W hopper are 'weathered' Delrin "Bettendorfs" from Athearn.  As seen in the photo, it weighs about 12 ounces.  I never got to weather the rest of that car.    S. Islander

Wow, those look great; I never would have guessed (obviously). And 12 oz is just about right for a 36' car, correct?

See, you are a craftsman! 🙂

Mark in Oregon

Another in a long line of crappy 🤪 photos. Here is the Anderson hopper:

Very neatly constructed; Gloor Craft soft metal trucks, which adds much needed weight.

Couplers are simply shorted plastic that have very little lateral play to them. As Tom mentioned in the 4th post, I may have to figure out something else (like Kadees); as it stands now, I'm not sure these have enough movement to be useable.

Anyway, there it is.

Mark in Oregon