Transition Era Hoppers?

[mike_lawyer]

Back about 12 years ago, I had a fleet of Atlas 55 ton Hoppers and Bowser hoppers from the transition era for my PRR layout.  Fast forward to today, and it looks like Atlas is not making new 55 ton Hoppers, and neither is Bowser.  Is anyone making transition era hoppers anymore?

I checked on the auction site, and Atlas 55 ton hoppers are going for about $20!  I remember buying them new for a fraction of that price when they were new.

[wcfn100]

Bluford Shops.

Jason

[Missaberoad]

Bluford shops is the hopper king... They produce 8 different styles.  Edit: what Jason said!

http://bluford-shops.com/index.html

- Atlas still periodically produces their offset side and fishbelly hoppers.

- Microtrains has 3 styles. (Offset, ribside and panel)

- Broadway Limited makes a couple styles (4 Bay ARA, N&W 3 bay)

- Athearn still makes the old MDC cars.

- Bowser still occasionally makes their PRR cars.

- Bachman makes a USRA car.

Off course with limited runs its always a buy now or miss out situation.

[mike_lawyer]

Thanks for the tip on the Bluford Shops cars, those look great.  Are they preorder only, or can you buy them from retailers too? 

I have really liked the Atlas hoppers because they were a good deal and you could find them easily.  I hope they do more runs of them.

[nscalbitz]

Thanks for the tip on the Bluford Shops cars, those look great.  Are they preorder only, or can you buy them from retailers too? 

They are!
No!
Yes!
However, even when pre-ordered through retaillers you can be shortchanged. As an overseas buyer I noticed this happen more often- eg ordered 5x something, get 3.
Best of luck, d

[thomasjmdavis]

As far as Bluford availability, I have pre-ordered, and bought upon arrival at MBK, and purchased on eBay.  My very first Bluford hoppers were a 3 pack of Monon 3 bay hoppers (in CIL lettering, they also did the later MON lettering) purchased on sale for 60% off from Walthers (several years ago, haven't seen that lately- but it is worth checking now and then). And I picked up one or two with other orders- I check stock anytime I am buying other stuff.

They also have a page on their site for stuff they have in stock from previous runs- choose the region and it will bring up everything for roads in that part of the country (doesn't hurt to check other regions- as the regions are to some extent arbitrary)-
http://bluford-shops.com/bluford_93_011.htm

In any case, I am a big fan- the cars tend to be on the pricier end, but they come equipped out of the box with many features I would probably add anyway (like body mount couplers and metal wheels).  And they offer dozens of paint schemes not done by anyone else. (For instance, 3 different 2 bay body styles, each in a different scheme, in 6 numbers each, for C&EI.)  For that matter, CEI acquired its USRA hoppers used after WWII for Public Service of New Jersey.  Bluford makes both the before and after scheme of those cars.

And they also make some first rate cabooses. The big boxcars are probably really nice as well, but out of my mid-50s collection era.

[reinhardtjh]

All of the Bluford hoppers that I've wanted I've always pre-ordered through one of my old shops back in Cincinnati.  Never failed to get what I wanted.  I've gotten PRR, C&O, B&O, B&S, C&I.  So maybe not the hardest ones to find.

Some from Hobbytown (Skipgear) and some from DCCTrain (rob@dcctrain.com)  Both are good places

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I love my Bluford hoppers, although I think the CR color is a bit light, it weathers up quite nicely.

[Tristan Ashcroft]

I love my Bluford hoppers, although I think the CR color is a bit light, it weathers up quite nicely.

Yeah, and that's fine, red is a living color (read: dying color) anyway.  The important thing with red hoppers is that each be a tad different shade to bring out how each has faded differently.  Or, as long as they're not all exactly the same, then they will look pretty good.  And yup, weathering takes care of the rest.