Luigi Taveri Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 (edited) Another posting! I’ve always enjoyed plastic kit building and the Proto2000 3 bay covered hopper has been a favourite because of it’s good quality. However, it doesn’t seem to have been everyone’s favourite and I’ve collected a fair number of kits at very good prices. However, at 12 number built and 4 remaining un-built, even I’d come to a limit on three bay hoppers, until I came across this example in one of the Morning Sun X Car volumes. Microscale Genstar container decals (although I’ve struggled for smaller lettering for the “cement” wording written below Genstar – these are former Calaveras Cement Hoppers). Straightforward cut and shut with minor mods to the kit pieces and angle reinforcement inside. Needed a new roof from plasticard and I cut down Plano walkways to suit (the P2K kit walkway could also be cut to fit). I utilised spare hopper hatches from a Detail Associated 2 Bay covered hopper kit - they need toning down having looked at the photo. I’ve struggled to find these hopper hatches as a separate item – they use to be available as DA 6218. Therefore I’m hoping the 9mm hole punch on order from eBay will allow me to progress the remaining 3 P2K kits into further 2 bay covered hoppers. Edited October 9, 2022 by Luigi Taveri Re-uploading photos 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Taveri Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 (edited) I found this lying on my work bench after posting and should help explain a bit further? Foxy Edited October 9, 2022 by Luigi Taveri Re-uploading photos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Very neat work Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Lovely work. A former "Rock Island" 3 bay hopper, I presume? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Taveri Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share Posted September 1, 2019 (edited) Some work in progress for the remaining three un-built kits Side on view showing cuts and redundant bulkhead. The left hand section has one less rib - this is the reason for cutting off the bulkhead. I used a razor saw for the initial two cuts, and then used a sharp knife down the redundant rib to remove the bulkhead (and then filed the two pieces until I was happy with the new joint). A vertical view.... First pass gluing together with equally spaced ribs. Internal view. This time I fixed the ballast weight in first, before gluing in the angle reinforcements.......... I'm not sure how clear this picture is? New roof from plasticard. I used 1/4" tube on the first conversion which didn't work as well as I wanted (plus the Details Assoc access hatches have a curved profile to suit their curved roofs so I had problems getting them to sit level). This time I've used 1/8" tube with an M4 washer. I'm pleased with the hole punch off eBay and the new hatches are just slightly bigger than the washer, so I think they will look better than the first model. Two of the models are painted and decal'd, and are ready for assembly (although that will probably take me another 4-6 weeks before they're finished). Foxy Edited October 9, 2022 by Luigi Taveri Re-uploading photos 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Taveri Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Further progress with second conversion - SOO 100150 I'm pleased with the way the roof hatches have turned out using the hole punch. I used the latches from the P2K kit for the latches for the new hatches. I will probably lower the hatches on the first conversion I did (ie the Genstar) I didn't go a bundle on the weathering. Bit on the roof, and a bit on the discharge hoppers. The inspiration. Photo from the car window at Burlington WI, 8th Oct 99. A poor photo of WC2057 was better than none, and years later I've also got a picture of a genuine PS 2 bay hopper conversion so it was a no-brainer. I have a series of poor photos but when I look back through them now I've actually caught some interesting details within them. Foxy 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Taveri Posted October 9, 2022 Author Share Posted October 9, 2022 Long time no show! Kit building took a bit of a backstep during Covid (in fact a large step back) as I used the 'spare' time to get my layout running, and tuning loco decoders to suit (my 'spare' time is on a weekend as I work away during the week). I've made a little progress in recent weeks with CovHops but I've had things to sort out of a weekend recently and not had the time to re-set my account after the major IT failure earlier this year. I've just re-uploaded my photos to my content this afternoon. I only had 20 or so missing, but that's time I'll never get back, so I applaud those who have made a better effort to update than I have. Anyway a couple of update photos on my 2 bay 'cut & shuts'. A second Genstar below. And progress photo for a CNW conversion. This one is different to the previous conversions, as the centre cut and shut rib is double width. So, slightly different, but you've got to study it to know it's there? This one is now substantially complete and I'll upload an up to date photo shortly (ie next coming weeks...) Foxy 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Taveri Posted December 9, 2023 Author Share Posted December 9, 2023 I said I would post an update photo in a couple of weeks, so over a year later, here it is. This completes the collection. Not particularly badly weathered but the CNW yellow obviously faded quite badly in the sun, so I painted in 'faded' yellow from the off (Wilkos - there's no colour on the tin but then that doesn't really matter now.......). Bit of light weathering. Three hatches versus the 4 & 5 on the three above. Foxy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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