E&C Shops - 715 - Gondola, Bathtub, Trinity Rotary - Wisconsin Electric - 2378

Specific Item Information: Johnstown Coalporter

Model Information: These models come with optional, user-installed weights and internal bracing.

Prototype History: There have been a number of designs of coal-hauling gondolas for todays operations. Most of the major builders have offered aluminum-bodied coal gons at one point or another. Bethlehem Steel Car made a significant introduction with its Bethgon design. This design continues with Johnstown America today. The basic design uses two longitudinal tubs between the trucks - thus adding additional cubic-foot capacity with a lower center of gravity.

In 1992, Trinity Industries introduced a similar design and called it the Aluminator. Six demonstrators were built and placed under Trinity Industries Leasing Company reporting marks (TIMX 1001-1006). This initial design was rated at a 4,400 cubic-foot capacity. Most new-built coal cars (hoppers and gondolas) are built to a standardized 53' 1" outside length. The Trinity Aluminator is no exception. The 4400 design has a 12' 7" extreme height (11' 6" inside height). What made the Aluminator unique was the way the bottom of the tubs slope down ward from the center to the ends (the Bethlehem/Johnstown design had straight bottom tubs). The body has 13 side posts each with an alternating rivet pattern. There are three internal cross braces (at the 4th, 7th and 10th side posts). Trinity's aluminum rotary dump gondola features twin longitudinal tubs located on either side of the steel center sill.

Road Name History: WEC Energy Group, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is one of the nation’s largest electric and natural gas delivery companies, with deep operational expertise, scale and financial resources to meet the region’s future energy needs. They focus on reliable service, customer satisfaction and shareholder value. They provide vital services to over 4.6 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. Their scale and geographic proximity allow for operating efficiencies across 71,000 miles of electric distribution lines, 51,400 miles of natural gas distribution and transmission lines, and 7,700 megawatts of reliable power capacity.

In 1896, The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co. forms to provide electric, steam and interurban rail service. Service area covers more than 12,000 square miles. In 1938, the company changed name to Wisconsin Electric Power Co. In 1987, Wisconsin Electric restructures, establishing Wisconsin Energy Corp., and several new subsidiaries including Wispark, Wisvest and Witech. In 2002, Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas began doing business as We Energies. In 2015, Wisconsin Energy Corp. acquired Integrys Energy Group, forming WEC Energy Group.

Brand/Importer Information: E&C Shops made decent and inexpensive Wood Chip Cars and Coalporters (their first offerings). They were genius because they made mass produced multiple road numbers available at the same time, something that the big guys are just now embracing after years of cycles of watching for announcements and checking the ones you already have. At the time and at least 10 years beyond it was nice to grab a dozen BN coalporters with different numbers in a box and go. Kudos to Fred Becker and Hubert for trying something different and cutting edge. Their Bethgons were less expensive and more detailed than later big-name productions.