operating drop bottom gondola

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. 

Thanks Ted, I guess I can rule out the MTH gondola option. I do have one of the K line hoppers and you are right about the doors. 

I believe that Max Grey imported some that did operate; you might be able to find one on eBay or at a swap meet.

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.

Bob Have you spoken to rich yoder?

My question is why?   A real drop bottom did not empty easily.   it required a couple of laborers to climb in the car and hand shovel out the last 20-40 percent of the load.   Where are you going to find willing to work 1/4 inch scale laborers?

Pre Easy: the oompa loompas .....

This was posted by Jeff Kraker on the Yahoo On3 group.


He used DCC encoders and little geared motors to open and close the doors.

Jan

Max gray made one in the 1960's