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:

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.

Now the million dollar question.
Is this the same coal load that is in the 2-Bay Hopper??

Quote from: BIG BEAR on Today at 12:43:20 AMNow the million dollar question.
Is this the same coal load that is in the 2-Bay Hopper??

The two cars have different loads, owing to the 2-bay hopper being larger.