I also had the problem with the SHS coal loads not fitting well into the hoppers with the crossbraces. As for the appearance of the coal, I would not have a problem with them except that I want them for L&N hoppers to be in the same train with L&N AM two-bay hoppers that have the Blue Mountain loads. The loads look so different. I really liked the Blue Mountain loads for other reasons too. The loads with the foam bottoms fit the AM 2 bay hoppers so well. And they seem to add the perfect amount of weight, heavy enough to improve tracking, but not so heavy they make the train hard to pull. Yes I have thought about making my own as "String Robert" suggested. Someone on this group made that suggestion to me some time back. From the ideas currently being shared, maybe I could add sand to the top of the SHS loads, paint it black, then attach some foam underneath to fit between the crossbraces. - Earl Henry, Nashville In a message dated 1/25/2013 9:26:49 A.M. Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
When I was shooting the SHS coal hoppers, Don sent me a few of the loads but they didn't set in the hopper real well due to the crossbraces. I then marked off where the braces would be and started to cut away the foam, but that didn't work fast enough for me. I then tried to melt it away with a soldering gun--wow--the fumes from the melting foam were strong--worse than any old time plant fumes.
