i have a 5 pack sitting in 91% stripping off the krylon splatter paint that some guy thought was weathering!! Well are these cars the same type as the kato bethgon? after the strip i'll spray them dull aluminium and decal with these http://cgi.ebay.com/Norfolk-Southern-Top-Gon-Decals-N156-/110595890970?
Pretty much. I believe the only difference is that the couplers on the Athearn stick out noticeably farther. I have 6-8 of each (BNSF Green/Black & Green/Silver) and they look great together.
*oops* Now that I think about it, my Green/Silver Bethgons are Athearn, but the Green/Black are not Kato. I completely forget who manufactured them though. They are certainly Athearn/Kato quality. Hmm.. Anyways.. sorry for the confusion.
LBF/Huberts made bethgon coalporters- which is also the basis for the Kato and Deluxe Innovations coalporters (as well as the Athearns, although Athearn also makes Thrall coal hoppers which are easily distinguishable by their exterior ribs). Atlas and Intermountain made different types of coal hoppers. So, it is my understanding that the Kato's will be the same type of coal hopper as your LBF. I have Kato's, DI's, LBF's, and Athearns and they are all models of the same NS coalporters: Kato: Deluxe innovations (the LBF's are virtually the same as these): Only difference is the wheels and coupler distance. my best, Jan
Kato bethgons have the wheels that stick out past the end of the car, which is how the proto-types are.
All of the bethgons are aluminum. If you mean on coal cars in general, it was sometime in the late 80s. They realized that with the aluminum cars are lighter, and can haul more weight than a similar steel hopper.
