The StromBecker H0 Chesapeake & Ohio Two Bay Hopper, Plus A Mystery Car

 I have been waiting to come across one of these kits for a few years now, and I am finally happy to have found one. 

This is StromBecker kit R-41, "C&O Hopper Car". This is a standard AAR 50 ton design, in C&O as an HM class. This model is based on an actual car, one made by American Car & Foundry. 

As per usual StromBecker practice, the sides are printed on cardboard - 

The strip of wood in the scan is 5 5/8"x7/16"x1/16".

The frame is a work of beauty. StromBecker was noted for their milling, and this is just another example - 

 

Dimensions are 4 17/32"x1 9/32"x1" with 3/16"x1/16" rebates cut into the top of the ends. 

There is a center frame sill - 

Dimensions are 4 17/32"x3/16"x7/16", with the narrower length rounded.

As I have mentioned before, I feel it is important to record the information on these models as much as possible. I know that freight cars, especially simple ones such as the StromBecker kits, aren't as interesting as locomotives, but they are still important, after all, the locomotives need something to haul. 

This model will be started shortly.

A Mystery Hopper

And now, a mystery. 

When I bought this, I was told it was an early Varney kit. Checking with a Varney collectors group, though, revealed that this probably wasn't one of the early kits from that legendary company. 

What we do know is that is a clever model. 

The trucks appear to be Varney, the couplers are LaNal. The model's dimensions are 4 3/8"x1 1/4"x1 3/16" over the sides, the bays being an additional 1/4" deep. The main body is a simple block 4 7/32"x1 1/4"x1", angled to shape with thick printed paper sides. The floor of the model is 4 1/4"x1 1/4"x3/32".

Sadly, that's all we have about this model. Still, like the StromBecker kits, I will preserve its information as best I can, and quite possibly reproduce it as well.