I'm toying with the idea of doing some early 1990s era Powder River modeling which would require acquiring a metric ton of Coalporters. I've only been able to physically handle the Kato version. I expect that I'd end up having to paint most of them myself, at least the leasers and utility owned cars that have simple decoration. If you were building a fleet of Coalporters to run in solid dedicated trains, which would you pick - and why?
Let's start with a hearty Welcome to Trainboard!! Who makes Coalporters? LBF, Athearn I think makes some, Kato does, who else? There's so many types of coal cars in N scale now. Trainworx 100T quad hoppers (D&RGW, UP, and others used these in large numbers), BLMA makes NS TopGons, someone else makes RD-4 hoppers, Red Caboose makes 5-bay Ortners, Bluford Shops makes 70T triples, Atlas makes 90T triples & Coalveyors, Athearn also makes 100T Thrall hi-side gons (nice cars, I have 75), and I know I'm missing a bunch. Why limit yourself to Coalporters? Add some variety to your unit trains! In addition to utility-owned cars, you have BN, UP, CNW, and many others to add for variety.
Thanks for the welcome! Yes, I'm also planning other types of cars (Coalveyors, Thrall flat-bottoms, three and four bay rotaries and the like) but I'm starting out by focusing on the Bethgons because there are so many different ones available. What I'm really trying to get a handle on is whether one of the Bethgon Coalporters is a better model than the others. Again, thanks!
Kato, Athearn, LBF and Deluxe Innovations make them. I'd say the Athearn is the best detailed as far as tooling and paint printing but the stock Athearn wheels and couplers aren't great. The LBF and Deluxe are older tooling but can be found more inexpensive esp. in the second hand market. The Kato is very good and a good value in the eight car sets at discount prices. They have very good paint and printing, the best looking stock coal loads and have metal wheels that are flawless. Personally I replace the Kato truck mounted dummy coupler with a body mounted micro-trains coupler and I think they are the all around best coalporter.
What road name(s)? I have my Canadian Pacific bright red with Multi Mark by Intermountain somethings and the Kato Norfolk Southern Bathgons.
Thanks, guys. Steve, roadname isn't too important for the Bethgons - I'll probably have to paint most of them.
I have heard the the truck centers on the E&C Shops or LBF or whatever else they called themselves had been moved inward to allow for close coupling. I have the DI Bethgons and like them but I haven't tried any of the others.....
I agree with the above evaluation on the Kato Bethgons. I have run a bunch of Katos and Athearns and the Katos win hands down in looks and performance. Don't get me wrong, I like the Athearns a lot and will be picking up some of the next run in CSX (unless they are in the shiny chrome finish). It's just that the superb printing, metal wheels and great ride are better on the Katos then on the Athearns. Let me be the first to wish R.I.P. to your life savings if you plan on assembling a sizeable fleet. Jamie
....The Kato is very good and a good value in the eight car sets at discount prices. They have very good paint and printing, the best looking stock coal loads and have metal wheels that are flawless. Personally I replace the Kato truck mounted dummy coupler with a body mounted micro-trains coupler and I think they are the all around best coalporter.[/QUOTE] I have been very happy with my Kato cars, for these same reasons.
Oh, and if you are interested I have a box of CHTT I would be willing to part with. The trip pins have been removed.
I like the Kato's, too. The only knock I have is their unrealistically thick sides. Not much of an issue if they are running together but if you mix and match them with other bethgons it's pretty obvious. I've yet to weather mine so I'm hoping that helps tone them down a little bit. I'd say, if you are modeling the PRB you probably will end up with some of each brand and I don't think I'd get too bent out of shape about having any of them. Just look for good prices. There was a large lot of undec Deluxe cars on eBay...not sure if they are still there or not.
PMed you with a member who has some bethgons at very good prices (and a plug for myself) if anyone has a UP set they dont want... =D
I'm waiting on the Athearn Bethgon coalporters lettered for BNSF. I already own 3 Kato SD70Aces which will be pulling this train around the club layout.
