Prototype History:

The GATC 4566 Cubic Foot Airslide Covered Hopper is approximately 9 inches taller than its 4180 cubic foot counterpart, making it a “Plate C” car. In comparison, the 4180 fits within the “Plate B” clearance diagram. This makes the 4566 visually distinctive.

First built in 1978, the 4566 was used for hauling bulk commodities such as chemicals, flour, starch, sugar, etc. GATC built nearly 1,000 4566 Airslides for a variety of private and railroad customers before production ended in 1985.  Today, many 4566s soldier on in their as-intended roles. Having been superseded by larger volume covered hopper designs, some 4566s have been demoted to buffer service for crude oil and ethanol unit trains.

Originally purchased in 1979, these cars represent former Burlington Northern 4,566 cubic foot Airslide hoppers. They were re-assigned by BNSF in the 2000s to ethanol and crude oil unit train “buffer car” service and are still in service today.

Road Number Specific ScaleTrains

• Officially licensed by GATX
• GATX provided original blueprint copies
• All-new model
• Larger 4566cf Airslide variant – visually taller than the smaller 4180
• See-through photo-etched metal running boards and crossover platforms
• Separately-applied “I” beam posts at bolsters
• Finely-detailed underbody brake detail with short brake linkage per prototype
• Separately-applied “Airslide” plumbing
• Gravity outlets per prototype
• Separately-applied shaker bracket details
• Separately-applied metal corner and end grab irons
• All-new Barber S-2 100-ton trucks with rotating bearing caps, separate brake beams, and side bearing detail
• Handbrake housing with finely detailed wheel and chain
• Durable die-cast metal semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers
• 36” machined metal wheels
• Minimum radius: 18”
• Recommended radius: 22”

All Rivet Counter Freight Cars Feature

• Fully assembled
• Color matched to Tru-Color Paint colors
• Printing and lettering legible even under magnification
• Accurately profiled .110" wide wheel tread
• Coupler cut levers
• Trainline hoses
• Intricate brake plumbing
• Weighted to Industry standards
• Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
• Packaging safely stores model