Announcement: New run of Bowser PRR H21a hoppers.

[reinhardtjh]

Posted on the Bowers web site and linked on the Bowser Facebook page:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Bowser-New-Product-Announcement--N-H21a-Hopper-Cars.html?soid=1102299084446&aid=vlu32ycTOL4

Pre orders due by Feb 27th, 2015.

PRR Early Lettering - 3#'s
PRR Circle Keystone - 6#'s
PRR Shadow Keystone - 6#'s
PRR "Coal Goes toWar" - 3#'s
PRR late black block lettering 3#'s
PC Black - 3#'s
N&W - 3#'s
Virginian - 3#'s

Ready to Run. Features: Crisp details and sharp painting and printing. Roller bearing trucks with Fox Valley Models metal wheels and body mounted knuckle couplers.

[Dave V]

I picked up 3 CKs on the last run.  With the 8-pack of PRR H31s from MTL due next month, I'm good in the Pennsy hopper department.

[dougnelson]

The ad says "roller bearing trucks" - not sure about that. Photos show friction bearing trucks. Any H21's from pre-1960s should probably have friction bearing trucks.

[eric220]

More hoppers! Yes! I've got a (planned) marshaling yard to fill. Even better, I don't have to hack off a Rapido and install a knuckle. Winning!

[CodyO]

Nice looks like I`ll be getting 6 more

@Dave Vollmer are those micro-trains hopper`s prototypical?

[Dave V]

Nice looks like I`ll be getting 6 more

@Dave Vollmer are those micro-trains hopper`s prototypical?

For the most part, yes.  Discussed here:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34130.0

On previous offerings I've thought the circle keystone was a bit too large, especially when compared to the Bowser GLas, and perhaps a bit too dark a red.  The The only real problem with the MTL H31s that I see (beyond the truck-mounted couplers) is that it represents a considerably smaller class than the GLas, and so my balance of GLa to H31 will be out of whack.  In fact, given how small my hopper fleet is, statstically-speaking the H31 I already have is too many.     Whatever..it's just playing with trains!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Can anyone fill me in about these things lives under PC? Were they still in revenue service, or were they all in MOW or other company service by then?

[towl1996]

What happened to the crown trucks? And I'm not sure about that coupler with the spring on the outside - what is that, the McHenry? Is there now a coupler pocket? Why not MT's?

[ai5629]

I would think that "roller bearing" trucks is a misprint.  Bowser has to know these rode on Crown trucks.  The last release was on Crown trucks, so I have to believe these will follow suit.  I thought the coupler was the Bachmann version.  This was probably chosen to keep the cost down.  I will be swapping to MT's, as I am sure most will do also.  If the coupler pocket does not have the cutouts for the MT couplers, then Accumates will work. 

As far as the Penn Central H5's in this run go, my 10/75 ORER has them on the revenue roster.  My 4/81 ORER does not.  I recall seeing a photo of a PC H5 loaded with coal in Rails Northeast.  I thought the photo date was 1978.  I believe that these lasted in revenue service for Conrail until 1980 at the latest.  The arrival of the H1A to H1G hoppers in 1978 and 1979, and the economic downturn that started in 1980 pushed these cars to ballast service and the scrap yards.  I model 6/84 CR, and I have a few H5's that will be loaded with ballast. 

I will be in for the six PRR CK's and six PRR SK's in this run.  My 8/57 PRR hopper roster is starting to fill out quite nicely.  The SK's will need the reweigh date backdated for my era.  It is a good time to model the Pennsy.  Thanks.

Jeff

[Dave V]

As far as I can tell, none made it to full Conrail paint...and I've never seen a picture of one with a CR patch either.  As far as 70-tonners go, Conrail was fat with brand-new EL 70-tonners, so I'm guessing very few ancient H21as limped on past Merger Day.

[CodyO]

For the most part, yes.  Discussed here:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34130.0

On previous offerings I've thought the circle keystone was a bit too large, especially when compared to the Bowser GLas, and perhaps a bit too dark a red.  The The only real problem with the MTL H31s that I see (beyond the truck-mounted couplers) is that it represents a considerably smaller class than the GLas, and so my balance of GLa to H31 will be out of whack.  In fact, given how small my hopper fleet is, statstically-speaking the H31 I already have is too many.     Whatever..it's just playing with trains!

Yeah the 5 pack I  have is a but too dark of a red in my mind

[tony22]

Has anyone seen these available yet for pre-order at any of the usual sites?

[pjm20]

Hell ya! More hoppers = more happiness. 

[dougnelson]

The The only real problem with the MTL H31s that I see (beyond the truck-mounted couplers) is that it represents a considerably smaller class than the GLas, and so my balance of GLa to H31 will be out of whack.  In fact, given how small my hopper fleet is, statstically-speaking the H31 I already have is too many

Yes:
GLa - 30,000+
H21 - 36,000+
H31 - 1,212

We need more Bowser hoppers.

[Dave V]

Yes:
GLa - 30,000+
H21 - 36,000+
H31 - 1,212

We need more Bowser hoppers.

True dat.  But, I find the H31s mix in quite nicely with the H21s and GLas in a train, and when in motion it's not noticeable.

I'm happy to support MTL doing close-to-prototype Pennsy when it fits my era.