Scaletrains SXT32481 Bethgon G52X Coal Gondola, Conrail/Gray #507537 Rivet Counter HO Scale

Scaletrains SXT32481 Bethgon G52X Coal Gondola, Conrail/Gray #507537 Rivet Counter HO Scale. Picture may show a different road number.

In 1997, Conrail built 600 Bethgon G52X Coal Gondolas at the Hollidaysburg Car Shop from engineering drawings supplied by Johnstown America. After the breakup of Conrail, most of these cars went to Norfolk Southern where they can be found in almost every Norfolk Southern coal train still today.

Road Number Specific ScaleTrains

• Era: 1997 to present
• Conrail Series 507401-508001 (G52X), built 07-97 to 12-97
• Multiple road numbers
• Unique COTS and end data specific to each road number
• Body comprised of main body, separate end sheets for both the A and B car ends, side bearing supports, and two internal braces
• 32 wire form grab irons
• Photo-etched metal see-through end crossover platforms
• Die-cast center sill and end frame floors with integral coupler box
• Durable body mounted metal semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers
• ASF Motion Control 100-ton trucks with rotating bearing caps
• 36” machined metal wheels
• Separately applied brake details including brake cylinder and arm, air reservoir, control valve, brake wheel, brake wheel housing, brake wheel housing rod, and wire form brake wheel housing rod guide
• Plastic and wire form brake plumbing including auxiliary reservoir pipe, emergency reservoir pipe, branch pipe, and brake cylinder pipe
• Wire form retainer valve rod and photo-etched metal retainer valve rod supports
• Two version of coal loads sold separatelyMinimum radius: 18”
  • SXT81340 Offset
  • SXT81341 Symmetrical
• Recommended radius: 22”

All Rivet Counter Freight Cars Feature

• Fully assembled
• Factory-applied metal grab irons, coupler cut levers, and trainline hoses
• Intricate brake plumbing
• Printing and lettering legible even under magnification
• Accurately profiled .110″ wide wheel tread
• Weighted to Industry standards for reliable operation
• Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
• Packaging safely stores model
• Color matched to existing Tru-Color Paint colors whenever possible

History

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.

In 1997, Conrail built 600 Bethgons at the Hollidaysburg Car Shop from engineering drawings supplied by Johnstown America. These were 4100 cubic-foot cars with a capacity of 116 tons of coal. They were Conrail class G52X.

After the breakup of Conrail, most of these cars went to Norfolk Southern where they can be found in almost every Norfolk Southern coal train still today.