Bluford Shops N 65254 8-Panel 2-Bay Hopper, International Minerals And Chemicals #9404

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.

International Minerals & Chemicals purchased their fleet of 8-panel hoppers secondhand, probably from one of the Chessie roads. They were used to haul phosphate based minerals from mines to processing facilities primarily for the production of fertilizer. Some of these minerals could also be used to inhibit corrosion in steel. These car will have appropriate “phosphate” loads.

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