Micro-Trains PRR Twin Bay Hopper Runner Pack

[reinhardtjh]

Micro Trains has a runner pack of their 33' Twin Hopper in PRR.  From what I can tell they are a semi USRA prototype which is close to the PRR class H31 hopper and Micro-Trains has numbered these for the PRR class H31 version series.

Micro Trains:
http://www.micro-trains.com/cs-N_1503-PRR8Pack.php

PRR H31:
http://prr.railfan.net/freight/freightphotos.html?photo=PRR_220301_H31_34view.jpg&fr=clH31
http://prr.railfan.net/freight/freightphotos.html?photo=PRR_220383_H31.jpg&fr=clH31

Any other comments on these cars pro or con?

[bbussey]

They are close to the prototype I believe. As you know, they have been running multiple numbers of this scheme for the last 30 years.

[skm]

I remember reading somewhere that the MTL H31 is a few feet too tall, but otherwise a pretty good H31.

John Franz (Mt. Vernon Shops) did some work on fleet numbers that make interesting reading. According to his math, if you have a fleet of 500 PRR cars, you should have just 1 H31!
http://mountvernonshops.com/files/2012_PrewarHopperFleet_Handout.pdf

[bbussey]

MTL must have released close to 20 numbers on this scheme over the years.  And then throw in the handful of limited-run SK releases.

[VonRyan]

I have 40 of the original Kadee 5-pack hoppers. Once they get dullcoted I find that the color is quite good.

[bbussey]

I have 40 of the original Kadee 5-pack hoppers. Once they get dullcoted I find that the color is quite good.

They did the initial five pack, and various single releases, and I think a previous 4-car runner pack.

Interesting that the H31 is one of the smaller classes.  I'm guessing that quantities of the two Bowser models would be more appropriate.

[Spikre]

 
   the PRR H31 Class was a casulty of WWII steel shortages.
  so they redesigned the car with Composite sides.
   there may have been more Composite sided cars than the
  original Steel sided cars.
   it was sort of a backward design for the 40s.
   Spikre