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Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not think that any manufacturer has ever made an operating drop bottom gondola. I was thinking of making my own with springs and magnets.  Do the MTH premier drop bottom gondolas have hinged drop bottoms that actually open? Has anyone ever tried to make their own operating cars?

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Mike

 

The MTH gondolas have fixed doors.  The MTH cars also have a steel plate sandwiched between the plastic floor and the cars underframe to add weight.  It would be difficult to use one of these cars as a candidate for an operating door project.

 

If you have your heart set on an operating drop bottom gondola a brass model might provide a better jumping off point.  If you want an operating car for coal or similar material you might try a K-line or MTH diecast hopper.  They were built with spring loaded opening hopper doors.  The springs are strong enough to hold tight against a load and the doors can be opened at a fixed location if you are mechanically adept enough to build a door opening mechanism.  I don't claim to be that skilled but I have friends who are. 

I have always thought that the Ulrich HO die cast gon was the best looking of the lot.  It was a model of an earlier type SP drop-bottom, and the center doors could be run open.

 

I was hoping to get K-Line to ship one to Korea and have O Scale dies made, but sadly they ran out of gas.  I have a spare, if any importer wants to try it.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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