Many have asked, so here is an update on this year's production of the TrinkleTrains Thrall High-Side Coal Gondola "The Coaliner" Project in 1/48 O Scale.
This has been in development along with multiple other prototypes for several years- we are now building the masters for the kits I'll need for the trains we'll run on Colorado's O Scale Joint Line.
Early studies included looking at the state of play for this prototype in all scales, as available, to include O Scale. (Roundhouse ATSF shown-note no "T ribs" and heavy molded on grabs/ladders).
Paper mockups were made for sizing and the previous 1/48 vacuformed (hollow plastic, no T ribbing, yellow/black example shown-cracks easily) and brass P&D Hobby kits (Thin brass black example shown-hand made and ribbing tinny) were analyzed.
Finally, prototype line drawings (notice the heavy "T ribbing") were used to build the software 3D vector files over many Computer Aided Design (CAD) hours.
Shown here are some of those initiatives; also included are samples of many of the final ("T ribbing" issue fixed) rapid prototype prints (in yellow/white) we've done over the last 24 months, in building a proof submission to send to our detailed Stratosys machine for our 3D printed masters. This includes encapsulating the new print in a flexible substrate (webbed transluscent carmel color shown to ensure the print sets up true with no warpping.)
The 3D printed master is the whole car shown in white/grey.
Post processing is now underway on the master and will dial in more detail and smoothness...it takes time, time, time.
Production of my cars will then start off of a post processed master using molds and tooling with resin held under pnuematic properties.
We look forward to huge cuts of these running on Colorado's O Scale Joint Line. These are contempories with the Atlas O Coalveyor and have run with MTH Coalporters and Lionel Bathtub gondolas regularly in the past, on the real prototype railroads.
Our layout will need these cars lettered in Santa Fe (large Herald), BN, HERZOG, Fayettville Power PlantTX-FPPX, San Antonio TX-SATX, Pueblo Colorado-PSCX, and the reinforced ribbed D&RGW version.
I will try to continue to provide updates as the kits come together and I model finished examples of the cars. I don't think I can always provide timely updates here...if I'm building cars...so if there are questions about my project? Join the Facebook Group: Colorado Joint Line Modelers. or Please just call me, as friends and we'll discuss.
Just sharing the modeling dream...
Thank you
Rick Trinkle
TrinkleTrains
1-719-465-4354
As you noted, seeing huge cuts of these cars running on the railroad will be awesome! 
