BN Trough Train Full Car

Developed by the Burlington Northern railroad and constructed by Johnstown America in 1994, the Trough Train was unparalleled in American railroading. Consisting of 13 units each, 23 articulated cars were built to haul coal from the Western states. Often paired with SD70MACs in Grinstein green, they represented the pinnacle of BN innovation. They lasted well into the BNSF era, surviving until 2004. A failure of an articulation joint, and susqeuent derailment in 2002 prompted the railroad to pull the cars from service.

This is the first time the Trough Train has been produced in any scale. Each unit is availible separately, allowing the customer to build their train in any configuration, from just the two end units, to the full 13-unit car. Each end of the car is different. You will notice an 'upper' and 'lower' articulation joint. The truck is screwed to the lower one, while the upper one of the adjacent car rests on top. The truck screw should pass through both to link the two units. Owners of the Intermountain/A-Line Thrall well car should understand. Simply lift up the last unit to disassemble and store the model. The upper bolster may need to be drilled out to allow that car to rotate smoothly. 

The train is arranged as follows:
A - M - L - K  - J - I - H - G - F - E - D - C- B
Units M, K, E, and C are the four brake wheel equipped units

To construct the car, you will need:
Trough Train set (this product)
Each articulation joint requires a 1/4" 2-56 screw and a 100-ton roller bearing truck with 36" wheels
Handbrake wheels (x4)
Drop-type grab irons
Straight grab irons
Air hoses 
Coupler cut levers
Brake wheel (one for each intermediate unit with brake equipment)
Ladders for end units (Tichy or other)
Kadee Couplers
2-56 screw for coupler box cover
(2) 36" wheelsets (one for each Unitruck)
Optional coal for load

Construction:
Separate truck sideframes and coupler box sprue from car
Add grab irons to sides and end of car. Drop type grab irons go on the ends and on the bottom two rungs on the side with the partial-height ladder
Add end ladders. Mounting brakets will need to be constructed.
Add air hose and coupler cut lever. A hole has been provided for mounting an air hose
Paint car
Install Unitruck halves. The rectangular bar should fit inside the transverse I-beam to help secure and position the sideframe. The end of it should butt up against the coupler box. Some sanding or positioning may be required based on your chosen wheelset's axle length.
Screw on articulated truck with 2-56 screw
Install coupler and screw on coupler box cover