Since I have not found any hobby shops in a 50 mile radius that stock On30 supplies, especially Bachmann equipment, I have to appeal to the excellent source of users/experts who read this forum. From some photos posted on ebay of the 18' low sided gondola, it appears to include a coal load. Is this load the "drop in" type or is it attached to the body? If so, is it easily removable? I would like to use it or the 18' flatcar as a basis for a car hauling hemlock bark from a saw mill to a tanning industry. Thanks for any help.
Hi old pilot,
The coal load is a removable "drop in" part. Here's what it looks like removed from the gondola:
(https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/images/On30_parts/On30%20Coal%20Load%20large.JPG)
Thanks for the reply and photo. Definitely makes the decision easier to create the hemlock load, and since both of my engines are wood burners, create a simulated load to deliver to the engine service area.
Old pilot, I have a couple of these gondolas and the load is easily removed. What I did, in order to facilitate removal, I glued a washer (iron or steel) to the inside of the load and then bought a lid lifter (used in home canning, basically a magnet on a stem) and use it to lift the load out of the car - works very well. I have found that lightly sanding the sides of the load (normally not seen) facilitates the removal. Hope this helps.