Arrowhead Models HO 1020-1 Committee Design Hopper, Rio Grande #17506

In 1960, the Denver & Rio Grande Western purchased its first lot of Committee Design hoppers. These were built by Bethlehem Steel Company and assigned the number series #17500-17699. Up to 1957, the D&RGW had a well-established history of using drop bottom gondolas for coal service. Although the Committee lot was not the first 70-ton open HT class hoppers for the Rio Grande, it was perhaps the most important pivot towards HT class cars. From here forward, the Rio Grande never looked back-both in terms of the Committee Design and its builder, Bethlehem Steel. Every new HT AAR class car that the D&RGW purchased was from Bethlehem, and every new, 70-ton HT class car the Rio Grande acquired was of the committee design. In total, D&RGW would own 800 Committee Design hoppers. This car comprised 44% of the total 70-ton hopper fleet. The remainder of the fleet was divided among smaller lots of varying designs.

Features:
70-ton ASF ‘Ride Control’ roller bearing trucks
L-shaped AR/BL superior grab iron
Wine double door locks
Wine hopper doors and frames
Miner 1942 handbrake
Retaining valve location
Retaining and release valve rods
Brake rod and lever arrangements
Bethlehem defect card holder