MTH Coalporter VS. Lionel bathtub hoppers

Actual have Lionel, but in this case the Atlas Coalveyor Cars are muc beeter in quality.

Also, be careful mixing coalveyor cars from the different manufactures as they are all not the same length and can have issues if you are using a rotary coal tipple.

The Lionel Bathtub Coal Gondolas are supposed to be used with the rotary coal tipple/dumper. That is why they do not have coal loads.

The trucks on the MTH Coalporter gondolas are most likely more accurate.

Andrew

This is a comparison of (a) the MTH 20-90422 CN Coalporter from 2008 and (b) the Lionel 6-17428 BN Bathtub Gondola (from 2002).

- at first glance, these two models are strikingly similar in their reproduction of the prototype.

- they ride at identical heights. The hopper interior and exterior width and length is identical.

- the simulated coal load provided with the MTH model fits the Lionel model perfectly, so there is no reason to suspect that Lionel's optional one-piece plastic coal loads wouldn't fit the MTH model.

- the Lionel model has a rotary coupler at one end, which is important if you plan to use these cars with Lionel's rotary coal tipple

- as you pointed out, the Lionel model's handrails are molded in, whereas those on the MTH have the "added on" look for a bit more realism

- as pointed out above, the trucks on the MTH model look slightly more realistic.

In summary these two models are more similar than they are different, with the edge going to Lionel's model if you need a rotary coupler, and going to MTH for slightly more detail. If you are looking for a specific road name and logo you may be limited to a model produced by only one of these manufacturers. For example the BNSF bathtub gondolas with the "swoosh" logo were (to the best of my knowledge) only produced by Lionel in 2008 - and are not so easy to find.

Joe

You can take a look at the MTH, Lionel and Atlas coal gondolas here:

https://ogrforum.com/t...t-car-guide-gondolas

Modern 100 ton coal hoppers are here:

https://ogrforum.com/t...100-ton-open-hoppers

Unless you have a rotary dumper the MTH cars are probably the way to go, especially if you want to give the impression of a modern unit train.  There are plenty of MTH separate sale cars and six car sets to chose from in BN and BNSF.  If you go shopping keep an eye out for the uncataloged 20-97764 cars.  Along with the separate sale and six car set cars from 2008 they could give you a matching 16 car train.

http://www.mthtrains.com/searc...ad_name%3A%22BNSF%22

Dennis, I have 16 of the Atlas Coalveyor cars and agree they are great. But I was looking for a more modern car.

I do not plan on using a coal tipple, so with the better trucks and added on details maybe the MTH cars are the winner for me.

I have located both the MTH cars and the lionel BNSF swoosh cars and I can buy up to 26 MTH cars and only 3 lionels.

Thanks for your help.

Joe

If you have the opportunity to purchase all of these cars as one lot, I suggest you do it. The three Lionel cars will blend in very well with the MTH versions.

I mix both brands. Once you have a bunch of them and the train is moving, you can't tell the difference unless you know what you're looking for. The MTH ones, IMO are the better cars, but I bought whatever BNSF cars I could get my hands on.  One or 2 6 packs is all you need to get going (Instant train, just add locomotive). Since MTH continues to redo them, I just buy the 2 singles each time they're run. All the lionel cars have the rotary coupler on at least one end. Some of the MTH runs had a rotary coupler, some have 2 standard ones. I don't know the rhyme or reason for whether a given run got rotaries or not. The lionel separate sale coal loads fit in the MTH cars, and IMO, neither of them are particularly good.... molded plastic coal looks like...molded plastic coal.

Who sells the best replacement coal inserts for theses cars? Your right about the molded plastic inserts.

In case the cars should be operated in the Lionel rotary tipple, the Lionel cars are recommended because of the wheel base. MTH differs from Lionel, however, the inner wheelsets of both trucks must contact two latches in between the rails of the rotary bridge to start the unloading process. That is not done easily with the MTH cars because of the different wheelbase.

Albrecht

This train has a mix of both Lionel and MTH coalporters. The black BN cars are the Lionels, all the other coalporters are MTH. (It's a grab with a phone).

To the comments above, I will add that the older MTH cars have the grab irons cast in the same as the Lionel models (the silver BN car and black BNSF car in the video are examples). The add-on grab irons make for a more realistic look. The newer MTH runs also are set up to easily add Kadee couplers (a plus with me). Those improvements don't necessarily win the game the MTH model, though. The Lionel model has the trucks more accurately placed closer to the car end. Unfortunately, those Lionel trucks (at least the ones I've seen) are not roller bearing trucks but an odd-ball hybrid of steam era trucks with cast-in modern roller bearing end caps. I replaced all the trucks on my Lionel models (so I have some of the Lionel trucks I'd sell if anyone wanted them). I've also replaced trucks on some of the MTH cars to lower the ride. I think one model has two internal cross braces inside, the other three. I've know idea if one or the other or both is accurate.

Unless one wants to use the Lionel rotary dumper, one car is not necessarily an obviously better choice than the other.

RM

Don Kane has very good loads at reasonable prices. The coal trains look a lot better with the loads being the same even if there is a slight difference in the cars.  His coal loads are great, so are his ore loads. I believe he makes loads for Williams also.  Good guy to work with.

don195657@yahoo.com

Buzz

 Originally Posted by   hmb

The hopper interior and exterior width and length is identical.

- the simulated coal load provided with the MTH model fits the Lionel model perfectly, so there is no reason to suspect that Lionel's optional one-piece plastic coal loads wouldn't fit the MTH model.

That's good to know.

Don

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN2i-iMX7ao

This is a link to a video showing the loading loading of bituminous coal into a modern hopper consist. Notice the unique flat top pattern of the coal.

Don