This subject came up recently, and I found this very interesting site discussing these cars, with lots of photos,..
https://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/7340/talk-thrall-door-cars-links?page=1

I collected a good number of these cars as the more detailed ones from Walthers came out. I'm going to have a number of them, along with centerbeams loading up at my finishing mill on my new layout.

Hey guys! I was carving rocks on my layout and have pile plaster debris which I will use as rock talus. My question is, how to paint it? Shall I glue all the debris to the surface and paint it after, or shall I paint it in some container before using? What is your experience? The rocks are already painted.

Thank you,

Jure

Now that I am getting closer to running trains, and have settled on an era, I am starting to build up my rolling stock. I recently discovered Bluford Shops who have multiple models of N scale hopper cars that fit my needs nicely. I have never seen any of their models in person but they look quite nice in photos.

I am curious if the loads are removable? And, if they aren't "officially" removable, if anyone knows if it is possible to remove them with a bit of work without destroying the car.

I have installed a 305 Atlas turntable and was hoping for some ideas on how to wire it for DCC. I have the decoder already hooked up to it to run the turntable, now just trying to figure out what to do with power to track. Instructions say it has a slip ring in it for reversing. Seen some different diagrams online one using auto reversing switch one saying it doesn't need it. New to DCC so I am looking for some help.