MTH 4650 centerflow 2r conversions

Nick

The MTH 20-97772 covered hopper from their 2013 Volume 2 catalog comes with Kadee mounting pads.  No shimming is required to get proper coupler height if you use MTH 2 rail trucks.  End details are improved over the earlier versions of this model.  You may find it to be worth the work of adding metal running boards.

The Lionel aluminum 4650 cu. ft. ACF Centerflow covered hopper is also a nice model. 

I would take either over a Weaver even without the need to cut down the 4-bay 5250.

For more info on O scale covered hoppers check out the O Scale Freight Car Guide.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...-ton-covered-hoppers

I have a K-Line aluminum ACF (probably what Lionel used for theirs) that was converted to 2-rail. It has K-line trucks with 36" scale wheels. The coupler height was right on target and it tracks well. There's a weird irony that I run some 2-railed rolling stock with scale wheels on a 3-rail club layout, but heck, why be normal?

Thank you gentlemen.

n.

I have a K-Line aluminum ACF (probably what Lionel used for theirs)

Matt

Original K-Line and K-Line by Lionel aluminum Centerflow hoppers are from the same tooling.  All of them came in black and yellow boxes.  The Lionel extruded aluminum Centerflow hoppers that came with different product numbers and in orange and blue boxes are actually from different tooling and come with different trucks.   The Lionel aluminum covered hopper is the only mass produced model in O scale of a 3 bay, 4650 cubic foot ACF Centerflow with the early style stiffing rib in the upper curve of the body.  The K-Line models, the MTH plastic models and the Lionel 2 and 4 bay Centerflows don't have the early rib.  The Weaver 4 bay 5250 in the only other Centerflow model that has the early style rib.

As a Hill Lines fan that detail is significant to me.  I believe the ACF production change deleting the rib came about 1972.  Any GN, NP or CB&Q hopper was delivered before the merger in 1970 and should have the rib.  BN hoppers were likely delivered new without the rib or were repaints of GN, NP or CB&Q hoppers.

Thanks Ted. Now I have to look at my ACF collection more closely. Hadn't even noticed.

Burlington Northern was created in March 1st, 1970. ACF changed to the beaded top from the stiffening rib in 1972. There would have been  about 2 years of time for the BN to acquire new ACF Center Flow 3-compartment/3-bay covered hoppers with the rib.

Andrew

The details on the K-Line and Lionel 4650 ACF Center Flow 3-bay covered hoppers are distinct. 

They are not from the same mold.

Do you need to see photos of both.

Andrew

It would be very hard to lengthen the Lionel Gunderson All-Purpose Stack Car since it is die-cast metal. You would need some amazing skills with laser cutting and 3D printing to make the addition seamless.

Andrew

Hi Andrew; I intend to use 2 huskys sourced off the bay  to make one scale , iI am contemplating doing it , or rather getting it done, by a skilled machinist friend on a Haas when next Stateside, course it would have been preferable if they had made it scale length at the factory.  Plan is to use a container across the joint to strengthen it, if we can't get it 'right' I will not pursue it, or alternatively cast some in resin. At least the decals are available.

nick

This car has been discussed before, the car itself is scale length [unless you have a drawing that shows different, I believe RMC posted plans in the early 90s] Lionel reduced their container lengths by 2 scale feet [1/2"] to allow 3 railtruck swing [cookie cutter wheels for 0-31 radius track] with the 2 low end bulkheads removed and scale trucks 33" wheelsets the MTH 48' [12"] containers fit, obviously the side markings reflect the undersized Lionel containers.

I would switch out the MTH trucks for Atlas O 100-ton roller bearing- lowers the car significantly and these make the biggest difference for sure-- add Kadees and you will have a nice model of what you want-

Limey posted:

Has anyone out there in 2r land converted one of these late model 4650cf cars, how does the detail match up say compared to atlas and does it lend itself to replacing the walkways with a shortened stainless etch,  I am very reluctant to cut down a Weaver car, any advice would be appreciated. I would like a SSW one and as decals are not available the MTH one would seem the only possibility to obtain/ convert one of these cars,.

I am also interested if anyone has extended a Lionel Husky to replace the missing 3', again any practical   advice would be appreciated

Thanks in advance,

Nick

 

 

I did this one and another four or five years ago. I don't remember it being difficult--disassemble the car, mark, install the Kadee and swap out the MTH trucks for Atlas 100-ton trucks. As Jeff says, the ride height is about perfect with these. I used a thin shim to make the coupler mount flush with a lip on the body. Basic stuff. 

The Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery has a photo of an ACF Center Flow 4600 Cu Ft 3-bay covered hopper built for BN in 1970.

Andrew

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