As I recall, ground coal is used in filtration systems. After all, coal is carbon. I don't know if it is subject to additional processing. I remember (correctly, I hope)that one of the final operations at the famous Locust Summit breaker was the production of ground coal.

A quick, Google check shows that ground coal is also used in Plastic and Polymer production. The Asbury Carbon website has a list of Anthracite sizes and uses you may find helpful.

Todd, as far as decals, have you looked at the Herald King 501, 504, and 505 for black speed lettering instead of making whole new decal sets? As far as hoppers T1 Nut (Butch) did some nice LOc kitbash work as he had them at the Modelers Meet. I was also doing some homework on the XMu boxcar class and found on the site that 12 cars were used for "ground coal loading" and in the October 1958 ORER, the Reading rostered 99 LOe, how many were in this service I don't know. Lastly as JoannaBill noted, the fine sizes #4, and #5 as produced in the breaker were used not only for co-gen, but the carbon for filtration.

I agree-the HK sets are fairly available on Ebay.. Also, when our co-member John Hall was still making HO decals, he made a set that included LOc-d-e data, but no coal loading assignments. I used the for my kitbashed LOd, after finding them on Ebay a while back. Plans for the hopper were in RMC and also (by Eric Neubauer) in the old Freight Cars Journal, sometime in the late 80's. I would be willing to offer my article with plans for scanning if anyone can assure me of no illegalities involved! I always thought Funaro & Camerlengo should have done these cars, since the CNJ had some, and some were sold second-hand to the Maine Central as well in the 60's.

To continue, Mitch mentioned plans for these LO class covered hoppers. In the June 1989 issue of RMC, George Losse did a write up on these even with a photo of one in Conrail as a scale test car. As far as a resin kit, doubt Funaro will ever do it, I played with the idea of a modified Tyco covered hopper roof, making a pattern of the sides then casting them, and using an Eastern Car Works / EB Valley covered hopper as a "core". The dimensions were very close overall most notably it was a little over a scale foot too long. I never went farther than the drawing board as other projects held my interest.

Here's a pic of one that used the Tyco car.. I gutted the body to fit the E&B slope sheet/hopper bay casting. Ends and side ladders/sills were also form the E&B kit, as was the centersill, shortened. New hatches were added, new brakewheel and platform, and a riveted styrene overlay for the center panel on the sides. Also added the angled fillet along the top of the "chord" between the ribbed and non-ribbed portion of the sides. Had to shorten the roof by a foot or so also, to match the plans.