ScaleTrains - Rivet Counter - HO Scale - Thrall 5750 Carbon Black Covered Hopper
- JM Huber (JHMX) #57540 - Black w/White Lettering & Logos (SKU 6502-SXT30283)
Available On: November 1, 2017
Prototype History:
Found throughout North America, these unique freight cars are commonly found in large groups near major carbon black producers or users. They can also be seen singularly or in small blocks of cars in mixed freight trains. All three models were painstakingly researched from field documentation, photographs, reference books, and builder drawings.
During the 1970s, Thrall Manufacturing Co. introduced a new railcar designed for handling carbon black. These 3-bay, 70-ton capacity covered hopper cars boasted a volume of 5750 cubic feet, and measured 51’ over their ends. Unlike traditional covered hopper designs, where the end slope sheets are plainly visible, these cars featured an enclosed, boxy design, which was a necessity due to a special design feature to aid in the unloading of carbon black.
At the inside ends of the car are special inflatable bags, called “granuflators”. When the car is loaded, they lay flat inside the car. When inflated with pressurized air, the granuflators expand, and push the carbon black towards the outlets. And as typical with cars designed to haul carbon black, they featured tight-sealing 16” round roof hatches (22 hatches on most, but some customers specified 28), sampling spigots on the car sides, and “butterfly” type outlet gates.
The first version, the “1970s” 5750, represents Thrall 5750 production from approximately 1977 until 1979, which featured ten column-style posts per side, and a unique roofline. While the ends are peaked, and the end roof panels feature a single slope, the remaining roof panels feature a dual slope and a steep shoulder where it meets the side plate.
The second version, the “1980s” 5750, represents Thrall 5750 production from 1979 to 1989, which featured twelve column-style posts per side, and a revised roofline that saw the dual-slope and shoulder roofline continue from end to end.
Features:
Road Number Specific Details For JMHX 57540:
All Rivet Counter Freight Cars Feature: