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Ak-Sar-Ben - 9107 - Open Hopper, 3-Bay, 100 Ton - Knoxville Bicentennial

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N Scale - Ak-Sar-Ben - 9107 - Open Hopper, 3-Bay, 100 Ton - Knoxville Bicentennial
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Production TypeSpecial Run
Stock Number9107
BrandAk-Sar-Ben
ManufacturerLife-Like
Body StyleSanda Kan Open Hopper 3-Bay 100 Ton
Prototype VehicleOpen Hopper, 3-Bay, 100 Ton (Details)
Road or Company NameN/A (Details)
Reporting MarksKNOX
Road or Reporting NumberKnoxville Bicentennial
Paint Color(s)Black
Print Color(s)White
Coupler TypeRapido Hook
Coupler MountTruck-Mount
Wheel TypeNickel-Silver Plated Metal
Wheel ProfileStandard
Item CategoryRolling Stock (Freight)
Model TypeOpen Hopper
Model Subtype3-Bay
Model Variety100 Ton
Prototype RegionNorth America
Prototype EraNA Era IV: 2nd Gen Diesel (1958 - 1978)
Scale1/160



Model Information: These models were made in China for Life-Like by Sanda Kan. They were also imported by Industrial Rail and Con-Cor. They have been repainted by Bev-Bel. They are sometimes referred to as "45 Foot Rib Side Hoppers". They have nickel-silver plated deep flange wheels and Rapido Couplers.

With the model in the TroveStar library, we found that the parts just don't fit together very well. The underframe simply doesn't line up with the body.
Prototype History:
The 1960s brought about a growth in car size (and capacity). Railroads that transported coal moved away from the older 2-bay 55-ton USRA standard to newer 90- and 100-ton three bay hoppers. On the WM, the first 90 ton cars were purchased for stone service to Sparrows Point around 1963. These cars were effective and long-lived. Many railroads swapped out the trucks on these cars to increase the capacity to 100 tons. Many companies produced these, including Pullman, Bethlehem, Evans, Greenville, Trinity and Ortner. Details, of course, vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but typically they were rib-sided. As of 2007, the NS still had lots of 90 ton hoppers in coal service.
Road Name History:
No applicable company.
Brand/Importer Information:
Ak-Sar-Ben Hobby Co
Information on AkSarBen Hobby and their history is sketchy at best. Of course, AkSarBen is Nebraska spelled backwards so one might assume that they got their start in the Husker state. The most recent evidence of their existence, however, was in the 2010 Model Retailer Hobby Industry Directory listing them in Jacksboro, TN. The phone number listed is disconnected, so, who knows for sure? What is known is that AkSarBen Hobbies was owned by Allen Miller and got their start in the 1980's producing very high quality custom, limited edition HO and N Scale products. They probably have left the model train business for more than 20 years ago.
Item created by: CNW400 on 2020-06-25 12:05:10. Last edited by CNW400 on 2020-06-25 12:05:11

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