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 Posted - September 17 2014 : 3:38:57 PM
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Here's a Life-Like covered hopper I got from babuff recently. I added the trucks/metal wheels/kadees, plus a bit more weight underneath (couldn't get the top cover off). I like the graphics and think it can run with anything now.
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - November 17 2014 : 2:01:51 PM
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The roller bearing trucks and knuckles bring that "toy" hopper to another level!
I have a few of those Life-Like hoppers I intend to upgrade. Can you show how you attached the knuckles?
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
Edited by - gmoney on November 17 2014 2:04:32 PM
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Posted - November 17 2014 : 4:10:36 PM
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quote:The roller bearing trucks and knuckles bring that "toy" hopper to another level!
I have a few of those Life-Like hoppers I intend to upgrade. Can you show how you attached the knuckles?
Originally posted by gmoney - November 17 2014 : 2:01:51 PM
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Thanks Glenn!
Unfortunately that particular hopper is now residing in a shipping container in Texas, or I'd take a few pics of the area in question. It's not a hard conversion though, and I've seen this type of hopper from several manufacturers (most of whom are probably using the same tooling).
If I remember correctly there is an open gap where you want to install the coupler box. I measured the gap and then cut out a rectangle of sheet styrene to fill it. Don't know the exact thickness as it came from my scrap plastic drawer, but it's similar to the surrounding plastic and thick enough to drill and tap.
But anyway, let it dry overnight, then dril and tap it for a 2-56 screw. Paint to match the car and it looks like it came that way.
The trucks are old Athearns that I got in a box lot at a train show. I installed 2-56 nuts in the hopper with a soldering iron.
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - November 17 2014 : 4:34:24 PM
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Oh yeah, I temporarily forgot about that little relocation you're making! Your description, however, makes perfect sense so no pics necessary. Thanks!
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - November 17 2014 : 6:27:54 PM
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 Just goes to show that even the really cheap and junky freight cars can be made to current standards. 
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - November 17 2014 : 6:39:18 PM
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Got 2 waiting for this conversion. Probably won't ever get around to it, but nice to see someone else has!
--CRC
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