Ocalicreek's 2010 Spring Bash Challenge

[ocalicreek]

Galen, I was always under the impression that these cars were truly convertible, at least if the buyer chose to purchase the "deluxe" version. In other words, either a hopper-style bottom with removeable panels to cover the hopper area (making a flat-bottom car) with side doors or a drop-bottom car, also fitted with side doors, for use with the Lidgerwood car.

Wayne

A google search for Hart Gondola or Hart Convertible I believe turned up some old Railway Age articles, or old railroad engineering publications since digitized by Google books. One has a pretty good explanation on the various dumping options available. At one point the lidgerwood car and plow became obsolete, I believe, by a development in the design of these cars. It's an interesting history...too bad it's not collected in one place for easy access. Ah well, the hunt is part of the fun, I suppose.

There seemed to be a version like the GS drop bottom gon, commonly used for beets by the NP & SP. The ratchet hardware is visible running down the side of the car In flat bottom mode, these doors would be operated and would dump material behind the underbody exposed framework (hence brake gear outside the frame). I think a plow or some other plowing device (tractor) could be used in that config as well.

I chose to model in the hopper bottom configuration. The upper sections with the L bracing would fold down to cover the V shaped hopper bottom. The GS type drop bottom doors would be hidden beneath the extended V sides as the car is modeled here. I think also if I could actually fold down my upper side sections, they'd be too wide to fit! But that's not as visible unless you have the time to stare at it, like you do here... :oops: It's also a design flaw in the kit construction as well.

Galen