--- In STMFC@..., "Gatwood, Elden" <Elden.Gatwood@h...>
asked - "P.S. So, what are the real reasons no one is doing the
alternate standard offset twin hopper?"

I'd like to see it too; it was used by Erie, my home road, but I think
it's too close to Athearn's and Atlas's cars.

I wonder how many average model railroaders replace their old models
when a new and improved version comes along? Obviously Walthers is
betting that enought will with these cabooses.

Some of the layouts featured in the various model magazines still run
older cars like Athearn reefers, ribbed hoppers and 40 ft. box cars
even though more accurate equivalents are produced.

Ed