A photo of a Top Gon that BLMA took to make their model.
The NS Coal Distrcit says it all. The old Monongahela Line is a major coal hauling route that is now used by the great Norfolk Southern railroad. However, there is only one type of coal car that was made for this route. Even though the coal car contained in the NS Coal District is great, especially with the new TS2016 sound effects, there still needs to be more variety of coal hoppers to use in the route. I would like to propose three new coal hoppers that would add variety, and better yet, realism to the Coal District.
Photograph copyright and reproduced courtesy of Patrick Harris.
The first are these common black NS hoppers. There doesn't need to be much discription since it is only a coal car, but this coal car can be seen everywhere on Norfolk Southern. Especially in the backwoods territory like the Coal District. It is worth noting that these are years old and most (or all) are completely weathered.
Photograph copyright and reproduced courtesy of Patrick Harris.
Photograph copyright and reproduced courtesy of Scott Nodine.
The second coal car is a well known one. The classic dull red Conrail hopper. These cars are never found in a long string anymore, but it's very common to see several of these cars in a coal train on NS. As a matter of fact, its not uncommon to see a long coal train with each car being different. Another good reason for this proposal. Note that these cars are years old as well since Conrail merged with NS in 2001.
I've saved the best for last. Probably the most recognizable coal car on Norfolk Southern is the black and white Top Gon hopper. Again, these cars are old, but can be seen in a long string. Just like in the photo above, most of these cars are weathered.
This is a very short article but I hope that everyone will agree that the NS Coal District needs more variety in coal cars, and especially the Top Gons would be great for the route. What do yall think?