Description
Railroad Short Name: AEPX
Developed in the late 1980s by Bethlehem Steel Company’s (BSC, later Johnstown America, and finally FreightCar America), the Bethgon has become one of the most common cars for hauling coal. Originally called the “Coal Porter”, the name was changed to Bethgon when the family of singer Cole Porter asked BSC to change the name.
The Bethgon’s basic shape is that of hopper with sloped end sheets. Two tubs run between the trucks adding capacity for 18 additional tons of coal while lowering the center of gravity making the car more stable. Most Bethgons have been built of aluminum which reduces the weight of the car by some 12 tons compared to a traditional steel hopper of the same capacity. Since the first Bethgon was built, many thousands more with varying capacities have been built along with thousands of similar cars from other builders.
Prototype Specific ScaleTrains:
- Era: 1991 to present
- Series 3201-3863 and 3864-4464, built 07-91 to 08-91 and 11-91 to 12-91
- Era: 1998 to present
- Series 4841-4972, built 03-98 to 04-98
- Six different road numbers
- Body comprised of main body, separate end sheets for both the A and B car ends, and side bearing supports
- Separately applied brake details including brake cylinder and arm, air reservoir, control valve, brake wheel, and brake wheel housing
- Die-cast center sill and end frame floors with integral coupler box
- ASF Motion Control 100-ton trucks
- 36” machined metal wheels
- Detail kit available separately: includes metal grab irons, coupler cut levers, trainline hoses and more (SXT81625)
- Two version of coal loads sold separately
- SXT81340 Offset
- SXT81341 Symmetrical
- Minimum radius: 18”
- Recommended radius: 22”
Operator Freight Cars Feature:
- Multiple road numbers
- Fully assembled
- Simplified brake rigging
- Simplified printing and lettering legible even under magnification
- Body mounted semi-scale knuckle couplers
- Accurately profiled .110″ wide wheel tread
- Weighted to Industry standards
- Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
- Color matched to Tru-Color Paint colors whenever possible
- Packaging safely stores model
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