Host Cody Grivno paints wheelsets, adds roof details, applies weathering effects and decals to an old HO scale Athearn covered hopper. All of that in five easy steps detailed in this video, and in a feature story found in the June 2021 issue of Model Railroader magazine.
Cody’s Workshop: Modernize an old covered hopper, Ep. 46
By Cody Grivno | May 12, 2021
| Last updated on July 27, 2021
One of the very first covered hoppers I purchased in a KC hobby shop back in 1983. Wanted 5 of ’em, but they only came in this car # and this was well before re-numbering and patchouts was cool. As an ICG modeler, I remember seeing this car on the MR&T’s RIP track and how sad I felt during my first visit. Thanks for giving it new life Cody and look forward to seeing it again on Jones Island!
I have notice with re constructing and weathering this car that the NMRA standards were not checked. Do you use the standards? Like weight, coupler height and how well the car rolls. Tom
Thanks Cody.
Great weathering and re-decaling the hopper Cody. Question: wouldn’t the hopper car show some signs of salt wash (whitish drip lines) on the sides, underneath on the outlets and near the top hatches from being loaded and unloaded? Thanks.
Cody , what size needle are you using in your airbrush when you are weathering
In the June 2021 MR article on this car, you mentioned in Step 4 about issues with the Clearcote and decals. It would have been nice if you could have elaborated on it in the video. Us visual folk sometimes need more explanation. At 16:30 in the video and Step 5 in the article, the road number reporting look quite different, did you have 2nd thoughts on how you set up the decals?
Highly recommend the Bullseye jig, it will pay for itself quickly. Got mine through MicroMark.
I like the video but I have a question on how to replace a light bulb in the Athern Ho Mikado! I’m getting ready to go DCC with a didgitrax decoder.
Cody,
Have you ever done anything (either MR or MRVP) on the jig you used for the trucks and couplers. I would love a closer look at those.
Great Video Cody! To bad I model even before this car was built and placed in service; but, your techniques are usable still. As always I enjoy your videos, so thanks for doing them!