Guys,
I get where you are coming from. I am surprised no importer has jumped in to make an N&W triple hopper. I've recently run into another N&W modeler who recently switched to 2 rail and is beating the drum to the 3 rail importers also. I've been trying to keep my eyes open for brass for him. The HL was phased out and rebuilt into the H9 by the mid fifties. The car you'd be looking for is an H2a or H3.
For all N&W hoppers to 1998 a great reference book is called "Norfolk and Western Coal Cars" by Andrew Dow.
As for brass to fill in the meantime I'll try to make a list here. I've been thinking about making a list for all 0 scale items that are accurate or close for N&W. This list is off the top of my head for hoppers. There could be others such as scratch built Parri cars and some kits.
HL 1936-1956
HL PSC
HL Parri
HL Atlas 0 (Not brass)
HL International (bare bones)
HU 1923-1947
HUa PSC
H1 1939-1952 (May have been in ballast service after)
H1 PSC
H2 1942-into 60s at least
H2 PSC
H2 Max Gray
H2 Yoder
H2a 1949 into the 60s at least
H2a Yoder Single panel sides.
H2a Yoder Split panel sides
H2a PSC (I think)
1942-into the 60s
H3 Yoder
1944-1951 composite 1951-into the 60s at least for the steel rebuilds
H4 PSC Composite wood and steel (No peaked ends on the H4 cars)
H4 PSC Steel rebuild (No peaked ends on the H4 cars)
H9 1950-into the 60s at least
H9 Yoder Single panel sides
H9 Yoder Split panel sides
1957-Into the 60s at least
H10 PSC
