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Modifying the Lionel 6-9135 N&W 4 bay covered hopper

 

This model is a very basic O-27 4 bay hopper that was issued in 1970. (BLT 9-70) It was produced by Lionel Toy Division of MPC, Mount Clemens, Michigan. The model has plastic trucks. 

 

Custom end of car brake gear, formed metal steps and sprung trucks were added to upgrade the model. The truck centers were adjusted so that the trucks are positioned closer together.  Although this model is O-27 size it operates on standard O-27 or O-31 track suitable for smaller layouts.

 

Photos of the completed model shown.

 

6-9135 hopper modified [1)

6-9135 hopper modified [2)

6-9135 hopper modified [3)

6-9135 hopper modified [4)

6-9135 hopper modified [5)

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Images (5)
  • 6-9135 hopper modified (1)
  • 6-9135 hopper modified (2)
  • 6-9135 hopper modified (3)
  • 6-9135 hopper modified (4)
  • 6-9135 hopper modified (5)
Last edited by pro hobby
Original Post

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Originally Posted by John Korling:

It looks like it rides higher off the trucks than original stock configuration, unless the photo angles are giving that impression.

 

Are you going to color-match your custom truck mounting frames to match the car, or do you plan on repainting the entire car?

The metal sprung trucks replace the plastic trucks. The original truck "bolster" was not used. The body may ride slightly higher as a result.

 

The blue color shown was used to illustrate the changes.  These modifications will be repainted later.

Curious, instead of creating a whole new truck mounting plate, why didn't you keep the original stamped steel truck mounting frames/sidesteps by just drilling/Dremeling out the rivets that held the old trucks in place, install the new trucks (which come with mounting screws/adapters for the existing holes) and just mount the fabricated simulated air reservoirs onto the exiting frame?  You would have kept the stock ride height which would look better and still have the custom add-on detailing you accomplished.

Originally Posted by John Korling:

Curious, instead of creating a whole new truck mounting plate, why didn't you keep the original stamped steel truck mounting frames/sidesteps by just drilling/Dremeling out the rivets that held the old trucks in place, install the new trucks (which come with mounting screws/adapters for the existing holes) and just mount the fabricated simulated air reservoirs onto the exiting frame?  You would have kept the stock ride height which would look better and still have the custom add-on detailing you accomplished.

Another Lionel hopper is being modified exactly as you suggested using the stamped steel truck mounting. An OGR Forum posting will follow showing this conversion.

 

I have several hoppers with either plastic or steel parts. The plastic parts will be replaced. The hoppers with metal plates will be reworked.

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