PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

The Coalporter was developed in an effort to create a higher-capacity, more efficient coal car. Built by Bethlehem Steel’s Johnstown American Corporation, the BethGon features all-aluminum construction and a unique trough-style bottom for added carrying capacity.

This ‘Bathtub’ design increased the cubic capacity of the car and gave the added advantage of a lower center of gravity for better tracking. Coalporters generally operate in solid unit trains. One end of each car is equipped with a rotary coupler, to allow a train to be fed through a rotary unloader without uncoupling the cars.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Separate wireform grab irons, etched metal coupler platforms

• Separately applied brake wheel

• Removable coal load

• Multiple road numbers

• 36” machined metal wheels with RP25 contours

• Weighted for optimum performance

• Body-mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers

• Highly-detailed, injection-molded body

• Painted and printed for realistic decoration

• Minimum radius: 18”

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