Several months ago, I found myself in the market for about 180 loads for my PennZee 3 bay hoppers. For a change, timing was on my side. Motrak Models had just released their first load for Z scale. So, I ordered a couple of packs (sold in packs of 3) of them to check them out. A week later, I ordered 25 more packs, and a few months later, 25 more. I was quite pleased with them. The loads are Hydrocal castings with a generous amount of shiny coal coating the visible surface. Last week, I noticed that they had released a second load for the PZ 3 bays. This load was freshly loaded coal, giving the appearance that it hadn't fully settled, yet. Well, I had a few more hoppers in need of loads, so I ordered up 5 sets. These loads are every bit as nice as their first offering, if not better. Like their first loads, they fit nicely into the PZ hoppers. The shiny coal coating gives each of these loads a somewhat unique appearance. They are all quite similar to one another, but each is slightly different, unlike resin loads (or especially the original PZ loads). When I first considered this "reloading" project a couple of years ago, I was expecting to drop over $500 just for loads. I am very glad that I waited. These rank up there with the nicest Z loads that I have seen (I have a lot of Hay Bros loads, some home made, and some made by gluing coal to the tops of the PZ loads), and they only cost $4.50 for three loads. They also give discounts for ordering more than 20 packs. Don't take this as a slam against Hay Brothers. I like their product, and will continue buying from them as well, but for this project, the money I saved can buy me a couple of locs. And, the best part is that I don't feel like I compromised on quality or appearance. http://stores.ebay.com/Motrak-Models I am in no way affiliated with Motrak Models, I am just a very satisfied customer. Dan S.
Dan, I hope they make a modern flood load profile. Is the profile that I see the most, but nobody makes one. I like the new fresh load look. At least it looks like a full load.
John, If you have never been to this site, it has some good info on coal loaders, loads and coal. http://www.appalachianrailroadmodeling.com/articles.html Dan S.
dan, do the loads fit tightly? i bought some hay bros. and there was a gap around the edges i didn't want. thanks, dave f.
Actually, John, I think the Hay Bros. do offer a modern "profiled" load. Profiling the load helps keep coal dust from blowing off of the load onto the RoW which causes problems with ballast. This is what shut down the Powder River Basin line last year. Randy
Another way you might try is to rough cut and contour some foam that fits inside the car. Then take some real coal and sprinkle it on the foam and glue it in place. What could look more like coal, than real coal. I bought a single bucket of anthracite for $1.00 and use a small hammer and gently break the coal up and sift it though some fine screen found in the wife's powder box. Cost per car runs in the order of one cent or less and I have enough coal for MTL's production for the next several years. Loren can also get some coal for you. ...don
Dave, Well, they're not "TIGHT" tight, but they don't shift around as much as the resin loads do. Also, the edges of them aren't as pronounced as the resin loads. The coal makes the edges kind of fuzzy, so it breaks up the line. All of my hoppers are Black or boxcar red, though. I don't have any oranges or yellows or anything to try them in. I have included a couple of pictures. My camera was having some trouble working out the focus and exposure on the gloss black, but you can get an idea. Some of the pictures make it look like there are gaps at the ends, but that's just a trick of the camera. It's actually just where the load slopes down to below the top of the car. Dan S.
Getting coal isn't really a problem for me. I live in the middle of PA's Southern Anthracite field. I can actually buy bags of it at the convenience store up the street. My biggest problem is time. I tried a few of the styrofoam and crushed coal, but i wasn't always happy with the profiles I was getting, and I was already getting bored after only 5 or 6. I also tried gluing coal to the PZ loads, but that was hit or miss, time consuming, and a bit messy. If I only had 15-20 hoppers to do, I probably would have stuck with the coal and foam idea. But, I was looking at a pile in excess of 180. I just didn't have the heart. Dan S.
wow! thanks dan. yes, that look like pretty good fit. very nice of you to take photos. it really helps. dave f.
