"Flex-Hopper" in N?

[VonRyan]

I recently was reminded of an ad or article in an old model railroader issue that showed a picture of some interesting coal hoppers that i believe were called Flex-Hoppers or some such. I was wondering if anyone knew if they were available in N at all or if someone at least knows of any photos of them in use. I think the BN had some but i cannot be certain. Any insight is much appreciated.
-Cody F.

[Mark5]

First guess, do you mean this style hopper? (ancient N scale tooling):

http://www.esmc.com/ProdLine1100.html

Mark

[ljudice]

I think you mean this thing (the ThroughTrain):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-x-10-Color-Print-BN-552011-Railroad-Car-and-Through-Train-/120815935409


- Lou

[screeh]

Cody, I think you mean the Trough Train (you were pretty close, Lou )

These were developed by BN and Johnstown America, with 2-3 steel prototypes followed by 20-odd aluminum sets of 13 cars.  All were scrapped by the mid-noughties.  There's a bit of info and pictures of set 552006, which I believe had a catastrophic failure (i.e. split in two and dumped its load all over the Colorado Joint Line) http://www.trainweb.org/nwrp/bn/bn552006data.htm  If you're a member of Trainorders, search their site for more info and photos.
There's also a video from the mid-nineties at http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=625

There's also the 4-unit articulated hopper that Southern tested: http://southern.railfan.net/images/archive/southern/freight/hop/sou100columbus966.html

Either way, it's scratchbuilding time if you want to model these - let us all know how you go!

Cheers,

Stu

[VonRyan]

That's it. The Trough Train is exactly what i'm thinking of. I believe someone once mentioned to me that there was a resin kit of it in N but i'm not certain who made it, or when. I wonder if it would be possible to have some form of kit etched in brass? seeing as how it is aluminium construction (welded?) i think that it would do well as an etched brass kit. I've no clue where to look into to see about having plans made up let alone having it etched as a kit. Some suggestions would be welcomed greatly. And many thanks to you excellent thinkers and diggers who dug up this info.

-Cody F.