While models of Pullman-Standard PS-2 3215cf Covered Hopper have been produced in the past, it has not been available in decades, and certainly not with the “Tangent Treatment!” Tangent Scale Models are very excited to bring you this highly-relevant – and needed – prototype model in HO Scale – in a high quality form!

In the early 1960s, railcar builders experimented with new covered hopper designs to help railroads move away from generic forty-foot box cars to special-duty bulk transport railcars. Pullman created the “PS-2” series of covered hoppers which included more than 20 individual designs that were larger in capacity with time, and the 3215/3219 was the second “three bay” design produced. Pullman’s most significant innovation with the PS-2 designs was taking advantage of gravity, where lading was loaded through the round hatches on the roof, and unloaded via gravity from the bottom outlets. The PS-2 3215/3219 design was produced between 1958-1962, and production ended after delivery of more than 1,400 cars.

The Tangent Scale Models Pullman-Standard PS-2 3215 Covered Hopper is a dimensionally-accurate replica and provides continuity with their other Pullman-Standard covered hoppers, including model design, scheme colors, and stenciling. Tangent Scale Models model includes key build variations: roof design, discharge gates, hand brakes, brake systems, running boards, and trucks. This replica includes Tangent Scale Models “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail. 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.

A quick synopsis of Tangent Scale Models Pullman-Standard PS-2 3215 Covered Hopper era and railroad-specific details and variations include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from actual Pullman-Standard PS-2 3215 Covered Hopper plans
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• Industry-leading “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• Genuine Kadee scale couplers
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme
• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail
• Multiple discharge gates
• “See through” Apex running board and Apex brake step platform
• Road-specific details for each scheme, including 3 brake wheel housing options, 2 brake cylinder options, 2 retainer valve mounting options and multiple B-End bolster web plate detail 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!
• Brass corner steps
• Separate flexible rubber air hoses
• CNC-machined 33” and 36” wheels – as appropriate for each paint scheme – with accurate front and back detail
• Tangent Scale Models models come with one pair of three possible prototype trucks that were found on the PS3215s:
• 70-ton ASF Ride Control Plain Bearing Trucks
• 70-Ton ASF A-3 Ride Control Roller Bearing Trucks
• 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks
• Weighted to NMRA specifications
• Recommended age 14 years and older

Norfolk and Western (NW) “Delivery Gray HC13 5-1961” Pullman-Standard PS-2 3215CuFt Covered Hopper

• Product: Pullman-Standard PS-2 3215CuFt Covered Hopper
• Scale: HO Scale 1:87.1
• Truck: Brand-new Tangent 70-Ton ASF A-3 Ride Control Roller Bearing trucks with Timken rotating bearing caps
• Wheels: CNC-Machined 33″ Wheels
• Era: 1961-1980

– Norfolk & Western (NW) “Delivery Gray HC13 5-1961” illustrates the Norfolk & Western’s HC13 class of covered hoppers, which were 50 Pullman-Standard produced PS-2 3215cf covered hoppers. These cars were delivered in the railroad’s classy stenciling, including the large and eye-catching “N&W” and the small spelled out “Norfolk & Western” stenciling above. The remainder of the lettering harkens to different era, when each railroad still insisted on its own road-specific stenciling for the cars. No Pullman-Standard created stencils here! The models feature a see-through Apex-style running board, “Early-style” round roof hatches, body-mounted brake gear and Enterprise gravity outlet gates. The B-end of the car features all of the brake details and piping of the prototype, including a gorgeous Universal 7400 brake stand, Universal brake wheel, Apex-style brake step, high-mounted retainer valve, wire piping details and a finely executed air release rod poking through the bottom sill on each side of the carbody. Metal corner stirrup steps and flexible rubber air hoses on each end of the car provide durability. The model rides on Tangent’s brand-new 70-Ton ASF A-3 Ride Control Roller Bearing trucks with Timken rotating bearing caps. Tangent Scale Models are pleased to offer these classy Norfolk & Western cars from May of 1961.

Looking for more Tangent Scale Models Hoppers? Click here!