Can You Identify This Car? RRMX 1001

[Caveman]

I'm interested in modeling the Robertson's Ready Mix gravel pit in Cabazon, California. They have a lot of these cars, but I have been unable to figure out what kind of car it is. Can anyone help me?

This is what I've been able to find so far...

Unit: 1001
Type: Open Hopper
AAR Type: K384
AAR Class: HMA
Plate: F
L: 42’0”
W: 10’8”
H: 14’4”
Dry Cap   Max Load: 2,511 cf
Max Load: 236,000
Max Gross: 286,000

Thanks.

[lock4244]

Railcarphotos says they're chopped down Coalveyors (coal gon) turned into hoppers, and built by ACF.

[Caveman]

Thanks. I hadn't seen that website before. It looks like another good resource.

[James Costello]

Insanely talented modeler Henry Baez scratch-built / kit-bashed a small fleet of these cars in HO. I heard the comment that it was "painful" but here's proof it can be done: 

http://www.pbase.com/dh30973/image/155053136
http://www.pbase.com/dh30973/image/155053137
http://www.pbase.com/dh30973/image/155053138
http://www.pbase.com/dh30973/image/155053139
http://www.pbase.com/dh30973/image/155053140

I had always admired Henry's work in the BLMA photo galleries and I got to meet him by chance at the 2014 WPM at San Bernardino. He was super friendly, so if you can get his details somewhere, don't hesitate to ask him how he did them, I'm sure he'd be happy to help. I'm not sure that there is a build-thread anywhere.... I think they've been there other years too so there are other photos of the WPM meets that feature them as well.

[James Costello]

In progress 2007:


http://www.pbase.com/tracktime/image/86877856
http://www.pbase.com/tracktime/image/86877858

Does look like a cut down coalveyor

[Caveman]

James, thank you for the photo links. Those are a BIG help.

I've been trying to imagine how I could modify a coalveyor and seeing that Mr. Baez constructed the top portion from scratch makes it all clear now. The only difference I can see between his models and the prototypes is the ribs that reach the outside of the bottom—he has five "outer" ribs and four "inner" ribs and the prototype has just the opposite. However, if I hadn't been trying to figure out how to chop down a car myself, I would have never noticed that.

Given the excellence of his work, there must be a practical reason he would have done that. For that matter, given the excellence of his work and how crappy the prototypes are, I think Robertson's Ready Mix must be the ones that made the mistake. 

I'll have to see if I can find out how to contact Mr. Baez.

— Chuck