The third run of Trinity 5,660-cubic-foot capacity pressure differential (PD) covered hoppers has been released by Atlas Model Railroad Co. The modern freight car, based on former BLMA tooling, features freestanding details, screw-mounted trucks with 36″ chemically blackened metal wheelsets, and body-mounted couplers.
Prototype history
The 5660 PD covered hopper was introduced in 1999 by Thrall Car Manufacturing Co. The design became part of the Trinity Industries (now TrinityRail) portfolio in 2001 when the Dallas, Texas-based company purchased Thrall. The car is still in production today. Approximately 4,000 covered hoppers have been built to this design.
Free-flowing products, such as flour, are transported in pressure differential covered hoppers. Sales literature from TrinityRail indicates that the discharge lines can be customized (aluminum, carbon, or stainless steel) to suit the commodity being transported.
The sample we received is decorated as GATX Capital 8769, part of the 8764 through 8793 series built by TrinityRail in June 2010 under Job 3294. Cars from this group can be found in service today.
Model features
The majority of the Atlas PD covered hopper features plastic construction. The roof has seven 20″ hatch covers, painted aluminum, with molded cam lever detail. Two molded safety vents are also located on the roof.
Framing the hatch covers is a one-piece, see-through etched-metal running board. A formed-wire grab iron, painted yellow, is attached to the longitudinal running board above the full-height ladder on both ends.
The brake rod and train line are molded to the left and right sides of the car, respectively. Because of this, some of the stencils found on the sill of the full-size car had to be printed on the brake rod on the model.
The factory-applied plastic end cages have molded grab irons and ladder rungs. A see-through, etched-metal crossover platform is attached to the bottom of both. The air reservoir, brake cylinder, and control valve, as well as the brake wheel, are freestanding parts on the B end. Following prototype practice, the air reservoir is mounted at an angle.
The aerator assembly attached to the bottom of all five hopper bays is painted aluminum. Two-inch air hoses, painted black with silver ball valves, run from each aerator to the 3″ pipe. The 3″ and 5″ pipes, compression couplings, 5″ Y pipe, discharge laterals and tubes, swivel pipe fittings, flanges, elbows, and mounting brackets, among other items, are a single injection-molded plastic casting that’s also painted aluminum.
Rounding out the details are the plastic roller-bearing trucks. The bearing caps are painted blue. The reporting mark and road number are printed on the sideframes.
Measuring up
The review sample we received features a smooth, even coat of gray paint. Except for a few small labels, all of the printing is legible under magnification. The yellow FRA-224 stripes are opaque.
Graphic placement follows prototype images that I found online. Sometime between 2011 and 2016, the ConAgra Mills name and logo were removed from the car sides. The running board supports should be painted to match the body color.
I compared the car to drawings from the TrinityRail website. The model closely follows the published dimensions, which are noted as being approximate.
To see how the model performed in an operating layout environment, I took the car over to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. The covered hopper had no issue navigating the 18″ radius curves and No. 6 turnouts while being pushed and pulled in a train.
If you’re in the market for modern era N scale rolling stock, you’ll want to check out the Atlas Master Line Trinity 5660 pressure differential covered hopper. The model will look right at home in a freight train or spotted at an industry.
Facts & features
Price: $47.95
Manufacturer
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Ave.
Hillside, NJ 07205
shop.atlasrr.com
Era: 1999 to present
Road names: GATX Capital (ConAgra Mills and blue GATX logo, both with GACX reporting marks), GE Rail Services (NAHX marks), CIT Group (TCMX marks), Trinity Industries Leasing (TILX marks), and VTG North America (VTGX marks). Six road numbers per scheme.
Features
• 36″ metal wheelsets, correctly gauged
• Body-mounted couplers at proper height
• Weight: 1.2 ounces, correct per National Model Railroad Association Recommended Practice 20.1
