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. In 1963, General American Transportation Corporation (GATC) produced its first “grain hopper” design with 4500 cubic foot capacity (Tangent released a model for this in March 2023!). Railroads requested more capacity, and GATC then offered a sister car design, of 4700 cubic feet, which was 5 inches taller than the previous 4500, selling more than 1,100 cars. The 4700 model offered the option of either 13 or 15 exterior side posts. When the GATC 4700 was first produced in 1964, it was the largest grain hopper on the market, and lasted in production until 1967.  NYC was the first railroad to buy this model from GATC, and Despatch Shops Inc. (a NYC subsidiary) would later go on to build their own clones of these cars.

The Tangent Scale Models GA 4700 covered hopper is a dimensionally-accurate replica of the real car, designed from actual blueprints and field measurements. Tangent Scale Models model includes key build variations: body side post designs, running boards, roof hatches, discharge gates, high or low handbrake mounting and appliance options, and body or truck mounted brakes. It also incorporates all Despatch Shops variations. This replica includes Tangent Scale Models “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail. This GATC 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 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 GATC 4700 covered hopper system is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Tangent Scale Models GATC 4700 system of models offers a multitude of detail variations and phases to replicate the many different GATC 4700 offerings. Example variations include: 13-post, 13-post IC, or 15-post body shells, body-mount or truck-mount brake systems and multiple prototype outlet gates. 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 GATC 4700 era and railroad-specific details and variations include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from General American and Despatch Shops Inc. 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 GATC ribbed roof with both upper and lower flange roof edge fastener detail

• Signature Despatch welded roof with both upper and lower flange roof edge fastener detail

• Six-panel GATC roof hatch with separately applied metal hand grabs and locking knobs.

• “See through” running boards and crossover platforms (in both Apex and Morton Uni-wing combinations)

• Road-specific details for each scheme, including 2 different brake systems, 6 different outlet gates, 2 different running board and brake step platform options, end ladder options, 7 brakewheel housing and clevis options, 2 retainer valve mounting 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

• The precision Tangent Scale Models 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

– Illinois Central (IC) “Delivery Gray 1-1967” replicates one of the largest orders for the GATC 4700. The IC received 500 cars in this order, as part of their expanding fleet of 100-ton covered hoppers. These sharp grain haulers were painted medium gray, and were the first new cars to wear the IC’s Split-Rail logo. The IC GATC 4700s featured a 13-post body and low ladder appliances, but with a twist. If you look carefully at the prototype photos, you will notice that the side ladders feature 4 rungs on the ladder, versus the “normal” 3 rungs for other roads. The end ladders feature 8 rungs, versus 7 rungs for the other roads. Yes, Tangent designed and tooled a IC-specific body to handle this important detail. GATC even “filled in” the unused pre-punched holes on the ladder stiles with rivets, a detail carefully replicated on the Tangent model. The IC cars were equipped with Truck-mounted brake hardware, so this translates to little things on the model like a “missing” brake cylinder on the B-End. The 4 individual brake cylinders are mounted on the truck brake beams on the 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks! Don’t forget to take a look at that beautiful Ellcon-National 1600 power brake with a separately-applied short release lever. Underneath, the model has accurate Keystone “Portloc” gravity outlet gates with intricate ratchet and rod detail. These cars had incredible longevity in delivery paint, with over one-third of the fleet staying in their original gray paint through the IC-ICG era. In fact, IC original gray cars have been documented into at least 2007!

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