Removing MTL Hopper Coal Loads and Another Dumb Question

Llanerch Crossing Nov 28, 2012

  1. Llanerch Crossing

    Llanerch Crossing TrainBoard Member

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    I have a few MTL 2 bay hoppers with coal loads that I would LOVE to replace with Hay Brothers if:

    A – Hay Brothers makes a coal load that fits the MTL hoppers.

    B – I can figure out how to get the bloody MTL load out!

    If there is a replacement load that fits and looks better how do I get the MTL load out? It just doesn’t fall out like I am accustomed to with my Full Throttle hoppers. Is there trick to it or am I stuck with the smooth coal loads?

    Now for my dumb question: Does anybody make a Z scale milk can as a single unit or a small group of say three 3? I have done more than a few Google searches and came up empty. It seems like something that would be all over the place and an obvious home run if it was cast in white metal.

    Any help would be appreciated!

    Thanks in advance!!! :)
     
    Llanerch Crossing, Nov 28, 2012
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  2. eit27

    eit27 TrainBoard Member

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    I have not tried any of the MTL hoppers, however I did Pennzee hoppers with factory loads. The way
    I removed them, drilled a pilot hole dead center of the load. Inserted a screw and pulled them out.
     
    eit27, Nov 28, 2012
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  3. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    ....what about covering the coal load with a layer of black paint and than covering while still wet with real coal?
     
    ZFRANK, Nov 28, 2012
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  4. TrainboySD40

    TrainboySD40 TrainBoard Member

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    I just find this funny, as N scale MTL coal loads come out too easily!
     
    TrainboySD40, Nov 28, 2012
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  5. Llanerch Crossing

    Llanerch Crossing TrainBoard Member

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    Well I guess I can help YOU guys out.

    I called MTL, (really nice folks BTW) and was told the loads are just press fit so I took an Exacto and jabbed it in the top of the loads which are soft plastic and popped it out, easy as pie!

    I then noticed that the inside of the hopper has a detailed interior with center ribs unlike the Full Throttle. The MTL load had a small unseen notch cut into it to accommodate that center rib so I took a Hay Brothers load, filed a similar unseen notch into it in the same place and filed it a tiny, tiny bit shorter and it drops right in the MTL hopper. Sweet!

    Now if I can find my milk cans I'll be all set!

    Thanks for the other ideas!
     
    Llanerch Crossing, Nov 28, 2012
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  6. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    If you have pictures with dimensions, I can get stony to make them using rapid prototype.
     
    shamoo737, Nov 28, 2012
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  7. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

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    ....what about covering the coal load with a layer of black paint and than covering while still wet with real coal?

    /Frank



    That is what I do. I have a small bucket of Anthracite from a coal dealer. I smash it and then sift it. I then paint the load in black and while still wet sprinkle some coal. Usually it takes a second coat which I hold on with diluted Elmer's (white glue). This also means you can make you own load shape out of something like balsa. Interesting is the finished result looks like real coal....:eek:)

    ...don
     
    Don A, Nov 29, 2012
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