I got my case(s 8 cars) of Accucraft 3-bay hoppers yesterday so I thought you’d like to see some pics.
That’s an RYM brass hopper on the left for comparison.
The EBT-style cut levers actually work. The wheels definitely want a coat of flat black! Otherwise they seem pretty decent. Now, do I have enough coal . .
Nice Pete, real nice.
Nice models.
Long time coming, eh?
Now we need the Combines.
John Bouck said:
Nice models. Long time coming, eh? Now we need the Combines.
John, The #16 is pretty easy to make. Here’s a couple - Geoff’s #17 and my #16:
(http://www.thegalline.com/files/geoff%20pass%20page.jpg)
(http://www.thegalline.com/files/narrow%20gauge%20combine%201.jpg)
There’s also a couple of cabeese on the way - the newer #28/29 and an older #26 with no cupola.
Is it just the angle of the shot or are the Accucraft cars larger. It looks like the body sits higher on the trucks for one thing.
The Rich Yoder cars are superb, but very few folks can afford even one. It looks like you can buy a case of 4 AMS hoppers for less than one copy of the RYM brass.
Now I really need to start packing a lunch and putting my lunch money in a train budget 
If you want to see excellent super hi-res close-up shots, go to the AMS page for the 3 bay hopper and right click on the pictures and select View Image (FF). The detail shots are HUGE !
Gary Buchanan said:
Is it just the angle of the shot or are the Accucraft cars larger. It looks like the body sits higher on the trucks for one thing.
The first report I got, before mine turned up, was that they had oversize wheels and sat too high. In fact, when I got them I discovered they are exactly the same height as the RYM hoppers.
The wheels are a hair under 25", so they are a little big. Accucraft seem to have lowered the body on the trucks to compensate (compared with my RYM hopper. ) Gary Watkins can supply 24" wheels on Accu-sized axles if you are a real nit-picker.
