Converting Menard 3 rail hopper cars to 2 rail

Somehow the 3 in 3 rail was dropped.

Thanks for any info.

Pete

You do realize you can edit your own posts, right?

Peter Lagus 091618 posted:

Has anyone tried to convert a Menard  rail hopper to 2 rail? The price on these cars is quite attractive, but I am not certain how much work would be involved in converting the cars. Any advice or observations would be appreciated.

Pete

Since you are 2 rail, you need to build a truck bolster for the two trucks and add your kaydee couplers. 

Keep in mind the covered Menards hoppers are copies of Lionel postwar hoppers and are faux. While they look like PRR style H30  covered hoppers, they are not as PRR H30's had only 3 compartments instead of the models 4 compartments. The PRR H32 covered hoppers had 5 compartments.

If you want a O scale PRR H30, psc made some in brass and Weaver models made some in plastic.

I have to ask. Why?

Actually Atlas O obtained the dies for the Weaver H30 hopper and has announced a new release - another source.   

I have not looked at the new Menards cars, but everything I have seen in the past is undersized for O scale.   the lengths may be right, but the cars are narrow.   As mentioned above they seem to be copies of older Lionel cars from the 50s and 60s.

A better source of scale 2 rail cars is the "old" Atlas and AHM cars from the 70s and 80s.   These are all scale size cars and most represent real prototypes.    You can often find these cars at train shows for 10, 15 or 20 depending on condition.

Dear Pete,

Since you are in California why not contact Beth at Public Delivery Track. She is a great 2 rail dealer that I am sure has the Weaver PRR H30's in stock. The cost of the Menards car-which is a knock off of the Lionel quad and undersized plus the correct bolsters, scale trucks and couplers will probably be more expensive than just getting a scale car to begin with.

Of course, you can come to our Strasburg Pa show next Saturday, April 6th, and buy all the $5,10,15 dollar cars you need !!!

John

While Weaver PRR H30 covered hoppers are very nice models their circle keystone lettering scheme is disappointing  - the font on PENNSYLVANIA is too tall.  Hopefully AtlasO will have new painting masks made when they rerun the cars.

Has Atlas made any production dates or plans for these cars

Thanks for all the helpful posts. I think I'll pass on the Menards car and look for Atlas and wever hoppers.

Pete