Atlas Master Line N 50005668 Trinity PD5000 Covered Hopper, CLI Industries (FCSX) #102

The Pressure Differential, or “PD” covered hopper was designed as a competitor to the General American Transportation Airslide hopper in the early 1970s to transport light, powdered materials. Unlike the Airslide, which forced pressurized air up through a fabric liner to help fluidize the cargo, the PS series of hoppers applied both a positive pressure of about 15 lbs. psi above the outlets as well as a vacuum at the outlet to help draw the cargo from the car. This design was well suited to products with very small particle size, such as talc, clay, plaster, and cement which would readily foul the fabric liner in an Airslide design. In addition, since the upper hatches did not need to be opened during unloading, the PD hopper was also ideal for transporting goods where contamination by outside air, dirt, or moisture could affect the load.

Features:
All-new end cage tooling
Etched metal roofwalk
Distinctive flat side
Free-rolling trucks