Need MFG ID for HO 3 bay Metal Hopper?

[TedTrain]

Hi all!
I've got this 3 Bay HO Metal Hopper that I'm trying to figure out who made it? It has the road name/# ATSF 78590. The Bays do open. It says "BLT 7-44", don't know how real that is? I guess it's got Kaydee's on it. It was weathered by someone. Any ideas?
Thanks, Ted

 

[Russ Bellinis]

The "blt 7-44" is part of the info from the prototype. It means the prototype car that this one is modeled from was built in July of 1944. Do you have any idea of what metal it is made of? Athearn made brass kits in the early 1950's. Bowser has the dies for those kits now. I don't know if any other manufacturer made brass kits at that time. I would think that if it was a brass import from Japan from one of the name brand Japanese model manufacturers there should be some sort of manufacturer's trade mark somewhere.

 

[TedTrain]

Just Diecast.

Hi!
Thanks for the info!
It's just Diecast, it has alot of weight to it.
THX, Ted