Greetings fellow N scalers, This is my first post to this forum. I live in Tampa (originaly from VA) and model the NW\NS. Anyway, I picked up some Top Gon decals on my last trip home and would like to model some of these cars. Has anyone tried this yet? Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help. Greg Davis Modeling Central VA in Tampa, FL
I have seen the Top Gons at a distance. They are used in coal unit train service in these parts. I don't know the prototype car maker or who makes the car in N scale. They appear to be a bathtup gondola style versus the twin tub design. Anyone know who makes the car in N scale?
To date no one makes the car, but it can be kitbashed, as it is a 9 panel car, and perhaps the closet thing to a nine panel would be the ConCor hoppers with all of the hoppers sawed flush and styrene placed under the car body and new squared 'tubs' fabricated out of styrene. All of this is very dependent on the ribs of the Concor hoppers and from there the rest seems pretty easy. Rule out the Atlas 90T as it is a 12 panel and other than that the market seems pretty thin. Here is a link to see what the TopGon looks like for everyone: http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/ns/ns42525j.jpg Greg check out the panels on the old N&W Hoppers you have and we'll go from there, welcome aboard and talk to you later, Finally, one more more NS modeler here, pretty soon we'll get almost as big as the Buy Norfolk Southern Fast (BNSF) modelers out there , Y'all have a good one, Justin
Th only 9 Panel hopper I have found is the MDC hopper, perhaps this car when sawed and cut on , will yield the best canidate for a TopGon? Anyone else care to comment? Have a good one, Justin May
are you talking about the deluxe innovation twin tub gondola.pretty sure they are the top gon you are talking about,silver car with black ns lettering. ------------------ those who know me know my sense of humor,dont take me seriously. bnfan99
bnfan, Thanks for the reply. The Twin Tubs currently available are models of gondolas built commercialy. If I am not mistaken, Top Gons are older hoppers that were rebuilt into gondolas at the NS Roanoke car shops. The tubs on the Top Gons appear to be square and the number of panels is different. Thanks Greg ------------------ Modeling Central VA in Tampa, FL
Greg, thanks for an interesting topic, and a hearty welcome to Trainboard, and N scale forum ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
Good idea with the MDC car, Justin. I am looking at one now and comparing it to my Top Gon photos. The body passes my "close-enough" test on the panel layout and the tubs look simple enough to do. What do you think about the height? I can't tell from my pictures. The ladder detail would have to be cut off and redone. I'm not sure about the end details. Anyone have a photo? Thanks. Greg ------------------ Modeling Central VA in Tampa, FL
