HO Bethgon Coalporter with Load, BNSF #3 (5) Overview
The Coalporter was developed in an effort to create a higher-capacity, more efficient coal car. Built by Bethlehem Steel's Johnstown American Corporation, the BethGon features all-aluminum construction and a unique trough-style bottom for added carrying capacity.
This âBathtub' design increased the cubic capacity of the car and gave the added advantage of a lower center of gravity for better tracking. Coalporters generally operate in solid unit trains. One end of each car is equipped with a rotary coupler, to allow a train to be fed through a rotary unloader without uncoupling the cars.