Big Four refers to the Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railroad which operated a dense network in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Vanderbilt and his New York Central controlled the company since its formation and CCC&StL freight cars routinely carried New York Central Lines oval logos. Big Four rebuilt this group of hoppers at their Beech Grove Shops with panel sides provided by Union Metal Products in March of 1935.

 These cars first appeared in the 1930’s as some early 2-bay hoppers came due for heavy maintenance. A predecessor of Standard Railway Equipment introduced replacement side panels that were bulged outward between the ribs for the purpose of increasing the interior capacity of the cars. A number of railroads adopted these panels, or those from competing suppliers, for a portion of their 30’6” 2-Bay Hopper fleets.

These ready-to-run cars will feature:

• diecast slope sheet-hopper bay-center sill assembly
• injection molded plastic sides, ends, and hopper doors
• fully molded brake tank, valve and air lines
• body mounted brake hose detail
• coal load
• lever-style hand brake
• body mounted magnetically operating knuckle couplers
• close coupling
• Fox Valley Models metal wheels

All road names will be available in multiple road numbers. For instance, order a single, a 2-pack and a 3-pack to get all six road numbers on a run. (Some road names will be available in just three road numbers.)