This group of Chesapeake & Ohio hoppers was rebuilt with panel sides provided by Union Metal Products at C&O’s Raceland Shops in the autumn of 1932. The use of these panel sides was just catching on and the conversion was featured prominently in Railway Mechanical Engineer magazine the following spring. That article led many other railroads to consider the panel side design as their hoppers came due for rebuilding.

 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.)