The HO scale Bethlehem Steel 100-ton-3-Bay Hopper is a release from the “Bachman Silver Series” rolling stock line. The car I am reviewing is decorated for the regional railroad of “Wheeling And Lake Erie Railway.” The paint is crisp and the colors match the rail colors exactly, and the font is spot on, although a bit of weathering is recommended to tone down the shine for a more prototypical appearance.
It includes metal wheels, additional weight and body mounted couplers to increase the quality of tracking. There is also an included bracing for the interior, and to help hold up the included coal load, which fits with the car’s use (coke mostly). My only complaint is about the shine of the car, but as I said before, can easily be toned down with the right weathering techniques.
MSRP: $31.50