Suggestions for Scale N&W Coal Hoppers?

I think the Lionel scale offset hoppers are terrific. Die cast bodies with nice add on details. I believe they made N&W as a single and a three-pack.

https://www.lionel.com/product...opper-279850-6-27070

https://www.lionel.com/product...opper-3-pack-6-27969

@0-Gauge CJ posted:

I recently picked up a used N&W 4-8-2 K3, which means it's time to grab some coal cars and a caboose. I'm looking for cars that were pre-1950s (the K3s were sold off mid-40's but I don't want to be too picky). I've been trying to research what coal hoppers were used in this period, and it seems that rolling stock is not as widely documented as locomotives are, at least online

N&W coal hoppers are pretty specific to just the N&W. I seem to recall that the only prototypically N&W coal hoppers in O Scale were offered by Rich Yoder (you'll have to Google his website).

Does anyone here have suggestions?

I think you will finf=d that those N&W K3 locomotives handled passenger trains. Thus, coal hoppers might not be appropriate.

Also, Lionel is selling a non-scale 6-pack of N&W 70-ton hoppers, are these close enough to scale that they can be pulled by the K3?

Probably not.

Would these fit into the time period?

Don't think so.

Thanks for your input

@Hot Water the K3s were small-drivered 4-8-2's built for freight service - the previous K-types were geared towards passengers.

@Rider Sandman posted:

I think the Lionel scale offset hoppers are terrific. Die cast bodies with nice add on details. I believe they made N&W as a single and a three-pack.

https://www.lionel.com/product...opper-279850-6-27070

https://www.lionel.com/product...opper-3-pack-6-27969

I have those for C&O! They are beautiful and have some heft to them, they're great! Unfortunately the die-cast hoppers in general seem difficult to find; i occasionally find them used on eBay (for C&O) but for any other road name I can't remember coming across any.

Not very good news if you want accurate hoppers - especially in 3 rail.  It has been discussed several times on here:

            https://ogrforum.com/...andampw-coal-hoppers

            https://ogrforum.com/...al-nandamp-w-hoppers

            https://ogrforum.com/...eam-era-coal-hoppers

Also, N&W hoppers have been very well documented in this book:

That's unfortunate. I'll have to look for some other cars then

Thanks for sharing the book!

@Hot Water posted:

I think you will finf=d that those N&W K3 locomotives handled passenger trains. Thus, coal hoppers might not be appropriate.

The N&W K1 and K2/K2a were built for passenger service, not the K3.

PSC and Jack Parra made some great N&W hoppers:

@Trainbros89 posted:

PSC and Jack Parra made some great N&W hoppers:

In 2-Rail SCALE only.

I think from the initial inquiry posted by O-Gauge CJ, he's not overly picky & is looking for a credible scale hopper that will look at home being pulled by his newly acquired "N&W 4-8-2 K3", even if it only pulled passenger cars.  It seems the major 3 rail manufacturers have overlooked the exact prototype for more than one item of rolling stock for the N&W. I think a proper affordable 3 rail caboose is a more significant omission, for what ever the reason, if you ask me. Only expensive brass imports have been available for the Norfolk & Western CF, CG, C2 & CH caboose, except for the Quality Craft CF kit, that I am aware of.

The N&W J was also a passenger engine but it did help out in freight duty & as a helper. I have no doubt that a lot of us run what we like, how we want, & when we want, even if it wasn't prototypical to our favorite road. My point is, that it sounds like CJ wants something that's affordable & looks & runs nice. There are some good suggestions offered here & like many of us, he'll may compromise on the hoppers. He might also feel the same about a caboose, even though it wasn't queried.

Besides Rich Yoder PSC made several types of N&W hoppers.  You could also look at the Atlas two bay hopper.  They are very close to the N&W HL plus you can find them factory painted N&W.  The K-3 would look great pulling a mixed freight with a few coal cars at the end with a red caboose.

@ironman1 posted:

being pulled by his newly acquired "N&W 4-8-2 K3", even if it only pulled passenger cars.

Let's get this straight!!!
To quote Bud Jeffries from "N&W: Giant of Steam revised edition"
"Class K3 ...the N&W decided to design a heavy mountain-type locomotive specifically for fast freight service." (my italics)

@ironman1 posted:

I think from the initial inquiry posted by O-Gauge CJ, he's not overly picky & is looking for a credible scale hopper that will look at home being pulled by his newly acquired "N&W 4-8-2 K3", even if it only pulled passenger cars.  It seems the major 3 rail manufacturers have overlooked the exact prototype for more than one item of rolling stock for the N&W. I think a proper affordable 3 rail caboose is a more significant omission, for what ever the reason, if you ask me. Only expensive brass imports have been available for the Norfolk & Western CF, CG, C2 & CH caboose, except for the Quality Craft CF kit, that I am aware of..

If not overly picky, then perhaps looking about for some of the older Rail Craft (Train Craft) peaked end 2 bay hoppers would be acceptable?  Painted and decaled they look decent enough when applying the 3' rule.

Am I missing something?  Atlas's 55 ton fishbellies may not be an exact copy of the N&W class HLs, but they are close.  I believe a substantial number were on the N&W roster during WW2.  A fleet of RY brass hoppers might be more accurate, but IIRC they originally listed for three times the price as the Atlas fishbellies, and only came in 2 rail.

Bill N, I agree with you. I always thought the Atlas cars were certainly close enough & I have purchased 2 dozen or more over the years. As I mentioned above, if you can settle for a non prototypical caboose than the fishbellies certainly will fit the need.

Funnily enough, I actually found some Atlas N&W Fishbellies for sale the other day! Scooped up all I could find.

To clarify, I'm fine with "close enough".

Regarding Yoder - I believe I have seen one of his models on eBay, can't remember which, but that is it.

It is looking like I will have to keep an eye out for Atlas Fishbellies for now.