During the 1960s, railcar builders experimented with new covered hopper designs to satisfy the evolving needs of shippers as they moved away from forty-foot box cars to bulk transport railcars.

Inspired by the success of the General American Transportation Corporation (GATC) 4500/4700 cubic foot covered hopper designs, the PC Samuel Rea Shops (SRS) designed and built clones of 4600 cubic foot capacity between 1968 and 1969. While these cars were externally very similar to GATC designs, SRS designed their 4600 with a slightly taller carbody and a longer car length. Penn Central outfitted the fleet with a variety of appliance options so the cars could be utilized in multiple services. PC’s own marketing department promoted the cars as “connecting the great grain producing regions to leading eastern ports and markets.” PC classed them in four total subclasses: H51, H51A, H51B, and H51C, for a total of 761 copies. Additionally, 100 cars were built for Lehigh Valley, majority-owned by PC. After serving into the Conrail and post-CR eras, some were sold to lessors.

The Tangent Scale Models SRS 4600 covered hopper is a dimensionally-accurate replica of the real car, designed from actual blueprints and field measurements. Tangent Scale Models want to be very clear: This is an all-new car. The SRS 4600 is one foot longer striker-to-striker than the similar GATC 4500. The carbody is also 3 inches taller, giving the SRS 4600 a different look as its sill rests slightly lower to the rail than a comparable GATC 4500. Tangent Scale Models SRS 4600 includes key H51, H51B and H51C build variations: discharge gates, handbrake appliance options, and body or truck mounted brakes. This replica includes Tangent Scale Models “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail. This SRS hopper rides on Tangent’s precision 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps and separate brake beam part. Tangent Scale Models ready-to-operate replica is finished with real metal grab irons, coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee scale couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.

The Tangent Scale Models PC Sam Rea Shops 4600 covered hopper is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Tangent Scale Models PC SRS 4600 offers detail variations and phases to replicate the different SRS 4600 build offerings. Example variations include: body-mount or truck-mount brake systems, multiple prototype outlet gates and B-end power brake options. This replica includes Tangent Scale Models fine “near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail. Tangent Scale Models ready-to-operate replica is finished scale metal grab irons, coupler lift bars, accompanying Kadee scale couplers and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. At more than 150 parts per car, not to mention phase accurate details, genuine Kadee couplers, and all-metal wheels, Tangent Scale Models provide you with a high-value model that will provide you with years of enjoyment and curb-appeal.

These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of Tangent Scale Models PC SRS 4600 era and railroad-specific details and variations include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from General American plans and verified with field measurements

• Highly correct “true to life” colors

• Industry-leading “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement

• Genuine Kadee scale couplers

• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail

• Multiple road numbers for each scheme

• Signature PC SRS “smooth” welded roof with both upper and lower flange roof edge fastener detail

• Ribbed roof hatch

• “See through” Apex running board and Apex/Morton crossover platforms

• Road-specific details for each scheme, including 2 different brake systems, 4 different outlet gates, 2 different crossover platform options, 5 brakewheel housing and clevis options and 2 different routing board options.

• Beautiful details including separately-applied scale wire grab irons and coupler lift bars – no “molded on” plastic grab irons or “thick” plastic grab iron parts anywhere on this replica!

• Metal corner stirrup steps

• Separate flexible rubber air hoses

• CNC-machined 36” wheels with front and back detail and accurate tapered axles

• Tangent Scale Models precision 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps (four possible options!) and separate brake beam part (2 possible options!)

• Recommended age 14 years and older

Lehigh Valley (LV) “Delivery Gray 12-1968” shows off Lehigh Valley’s large, distinctive graphics on the side of the car. These cars were delivered in a beautiful gray with the red LV flag across 2 panels. Penn Central built 100 cars for Lehigh Valley in December of 1968, stenciled for 4550 cubic feet capacity and equipped with truck-mounted brakes. On the B-end of the car, that translates to a “missing” brake cylinder and a brake linkage that extends lower than the sill, on its way to the trucks. Speaking of the trucks, they were delivered in a red-brown color that really stands out from the LV graphics and the gray carbody. The 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks have individual brake cylinders mounted on the truck brake beams. These models are equipped with an accurate Peacock 6500 brake housing and modern-style brake wheel. The three bays are equipped with intricate and accurate Keystone Portloc “Combo” gates, allowing the prototype cars to be unloaded by simple gravity or an air-assisted pneumatic system. Tangent Scale Models are very pleased to release yet another LV model, and for those who are paying attention, know that they will continue to execute Lehigh Valley prototypes of all kinds to the highest level possible.

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