I use 35 foot covered hoppers, both centerflow and airslide, to move cement on my layout. I use the 35' hoppers to differentiate from the longer 50 foot hoppers and the more dense cement material. But, is it correct to use 35 foot hoppers, both centerflow and airslide, for cement? I can see the appearance of the hoppers and tell that the discharge bins are different, but I am not exactly sure of the mechanical differences and exactly what products would not be carried in each. Hope not to stray too far from prototype. Thanks.
Hi Flash, enjoyed you pix in the Beach party. Nice work. Your choice of words, calling the cars 35 footers kinda throws me, but you seem to be on the right track. Most short hoppers can and have been used for cement. And exception would be a company owned car that wasn't. For example Trona was offered on the Atlas PS-2 two bay cars and that is for their use hauling Potash. Since your mentioning 35 foot I'm assuming you mean the 100 ton Trinty cars from Walthers. These are great for cement, they even did my pet scheme Calavaras Cement in the last run. Also good for cement are the ACF 2 bays from Intermountain and Detail Associates, As well the PS-2 from Atlas, Kadee and MDC, the Bowser and Kato 70 ton hopper, And in somewhat smaller quantities the short Airslide and the PD3000. Airslides are most often used for flour and sugars. The Pd3000 only available in brass has seen some cement use. There is also a PD3500. I have also photoed the PS-2 3 bay cars like Con-cors in Cement service. Lettered for Mexican companys. All would have round (or square) hatches BTW.
I believe it would also be prototypical for older type cars to be pressed into service by the smaller short line railroads. "On Site" mixing plants like at a construction site for a bridge, dam or large building floor might be serviced by a short line, that sent cars to a supplier for filling and delivery back on site. (Don't throw your older cars away, see?)
