Bluford Shops N 65228 8-Panel 2-Bay Hopper, Chesapeake And Ohio #324748

Yellow ribs

A majority of 8-panel hoppers were the result of the rebuilding of other styles of 2-bay hoppers. Offset side hoppers were particularly good candidates for this conversion. The argument for the offset side car is that by placing the side sheets on the outside of the ribs, you could then fill the volume between the ribs with coal (or other commodity.) The downside was that the offset side cars were more difficult to build and repair. Also, the load often packed in the corners between the rib and side sheets, trapping moisture and making repairs more frequent. Rebuilding them with 8 full length panels and 9 posts was relative easy and cheap, more than making up for the loss in cubic capacity. The rebuilt car could provide another 15 to 25 years of revenue service.

This group of Chesapeake & Ohio 8-panel hoppers was the product of a mid-60s rebuild program at C&O’s Raceland Shops. A portion of the fleet later received four yellow ribs on each side denoting that they were assigned to Armco Steel (the yellow circle next to the road number was a signal to carmen and agents that this car was for unit train service and should not be confiscated.) Changing traffic patterns and car availability rendered these markings superfluous and these hoppers scattered across the region.

Features:
Ready-to-run
Die cast slope sheet-hopper bay-center sill assembly
Injection molded plastic sides, ends, and hopper doors
Fully molded brake tank, valve and air lines
Body mounted brake hose detail
Load included
Body mounted magnetically operating knuckle couplers
Close coupling
Metal wheels