100 ton 3 Bay Hopper Car

Hopper Car Construction Photos

Here are the some photos from the construction of the first prototype hopper car.  Since we just couldn't wait for our rivets and air hammer to arrive we grabbed a handful of #4-40 machine screws and went to town.  All the bending was done using custom made fixtures.  We were a bit apprehensive at first but when we started to fit the pieces together and saw how well all the laser cut holes lined up we couldn't stop ourselves.  These photos represent about 2 hours work and 2 frozen pizzas.  The main body only consists of 9 individual pieces.  Now its time start on the end cage material and the discharge gates.

Click images to enlarge

Main hopper car body with internal bracing.  The main body is composed of only 9 pieces not counting the inside braces.  It took a while to get all the fixtures made to do the very accurate odd angle bending.  Luckily we did all the figuring and bending so all you have to do is the riveting.

First ribs out of the fixtures.  There are 13 per side just like the real car.  Of course they aren't all identical, that would have been too easy but not prototypical.

Finally, all the aluminum extrusion fixtures are finished and its time to put on some end cages.  The architectural aluminum has true 90 degree corners that look just like the real thing.  With the top rails and corner reinforcements in place the hopper car is beginning to take its final shape.

Here are some close up shots of the functional discharge gate latches.  They will come already assembled with the kit ready to be riveted in place.

Now the discharge gates have been bolted in place.  Just flip the release catches on both sides and they swing open just the like the real thing.

These two pictures shows mounting system that we have developed for our own personal trucks.  Because of the large variety of trucks on the market, mounting the trucks is left to the customer.  For quality and reliability Tom Bee trucks are hard to beat.

Now with the car right side up we can see the gates in action from the inside and the outside of the car.

Now all that is left is to install the grab irons and brakeman's platform and we are ready to roll. 

 For more information:   info@precisionsteelcar.com

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