What is the difference between a standard 2 bay hopper and a fish belly? The N&W topic about prototypical hoppers spiked my curiosity.
Don
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Did you look carefully at the different photos posted? The Atlas O fishbelly N&W 2-bay hopper is an excellent example.
I think you would get a response in the 2 rail scale or real trains forum.
Thank you reducing my ignorance. After some research it would seem these were built in the 1920's and were a 33' foot 55-ton, sidesill 2 bay hopper. The "fishbelly" seems to be in the bottom of the hopper between the two chutes, It is actually an inverted "fishbelly". I would guess that it's there to improve the flow to the chutes.
The standard hoppers had slanted ends to the chutes and a triangle center.
The model railroader cyclopedia's are the best source. I just don't know which one and written by whom? New ignorance.
