Do the new LionScale Coal Hoppers come with a coal load?

I wondered about this as well, but the pics look like no.   Making my own coal load should not be a big deal.

Received a reply from Mike at Lionel this evening...........................

Frank,
No sir, they do not. Although loads can be purchased from "Hopper Topper" in PA.
Thank you,
Mike

I have a set on preorder.   No big deal, the have to run the empties back to the mine anyway.

If these are the original Weaver 70 ton 3 bay hopper tooling, Blue Mountain used to make nice coal loads for them. Fit perfect and look great. They were about 8 bucks a piece.

Rod

Just did a search and there is a guy in Texas selling these on ebay for $3.50 a piece plus shipping. Frankly I could not justify my time to build my own loads at that price. I don't know how to link it or I would. Search and you will find it. The product number you want is 037.

Rod

Swafford posted:

Received a reply from Mike at Lionel this evening...........................

Frank,
No sir, they do not. Although loads can be purchased from "Hopper Topper" in PA.
Thank you,
Mike

For those that don't know, "Hopper Topper" recommended by Lionel's Mike above, is our very own Forum member "Rail" (Don Kane, Jr.) from Ashley, PA.  

He made various loads for Weaver (including the wood chip loads) when they were still in business.

Don does great work.  I have purchased several of his loads, including wood chip, railroad tie and "muck" loads.  Highly recommended!

I agree with Joe A.  I have purchased a lot of coal loads from Don and they are great!

Neal Jeter

Lionlman posted:

I agree with Joe A.  I have purchased a lot of coal loads from Don and they are great!

Neal Jeter

Me too.

You can make them yourself by buying foam and cutting it to fit. Paint the foam, black add coal, and repeat when necessary. One of our members at the SD3Rs did it and they look amazing!

Above:

"You can make them yourself by buying foam and cutting it to fit...." 

Correct; I've done it, and similar things - but when financially possible, wouldn't it be nice to support those who run cottage industries that serve our strange and varied needs, such as those mentioned above? Assuming that the product is good (I'm sure that it is), and you do not need a squillion of them, why not drop a buck or two and support a supplier? Believe me, I scratch build/bash - but sometimes I have wished that I had dropped 20 bucks on a few nice (usually nicer - these guys do it all the time) pieces and been done with it.

Just sayin'.

I've always preferred the St Charles Model Works hopper car coal loads. I believe their site is www.trainloads.com 

Rod Stewart posted:

If these are the original Weaver 70 ton 3 bay hopper tooling, Blue Mountain used to make nice coal loads for them. Fit perfect and look great. They were about 8 bucks a piece.

Rod

Blue Mountain is no longer in business. The gent was from Lehighton Pa, but he has passed.

Don

rail posted:

Rod Stewart posted:

If these are the original Weaver 70 ton 3 bay hopper tooling, Blue Mountain used to make nice coal loads for them. Fit perfect and look great. They were about 8 bucks a piece.

Rod

Blue Mountain is no longer in business. The gent was from Lehighton Pa, but he has passed.

Don

Did not know that. Thanks for the info. I guess there must be some of his product still floating around NOS for sale.

Rod

CNJ #1601 posted:

Swafford posted:

Received a reply from Mike at Lionel this evening...........................

Frank,
No sir, they do not. Although loads can be purchased from "Hopper Topper" in PA.
Thank you,
Mike

For those that don't know, "Hopper Topper" recommended by Lionel's Mike above, is our very own Forum member "Rail" (Don Kane, Jr.) from Ashley, PA.  

He made various loads for Weaver (including the wood chip loads) when they were still in business.

Don does great work.  I have purchased several of his loads, including wood chip, railroad tie and "muck" loads.  Highly recommended!

I just went to this guy's website.  It is hard to read because there is an ad from the company posting the guy's site.

Hot Water posted:

I've always preferred the St Charles Model Works hopper car coal loads. I believe their site is www.trainloads.com 

Used them.  Little expensive.  But makes my various LV and N&W hoppers look good.  I was thinking of getting a set of the L GLa hoppers, but with cheap hoppers and these loads, it came it at lower costs.