General American Transportation Corporation produced more than 5,000 of these 4180 cubic foot Airslide covered hoppers between 1963 and 1980 as a response to customer demand for larger covered hoppers capable of handling bulk commodities. These very common cars continued General American’s “Airslide” family innovations from the 1950s, and proved valuable to bulk shippers who wanted a larger car than the earlier-design 2600 cubic foot cars provided.

The Tangent Scale Models GA 4180 Airslide covered hopper is similar to previous Tangent releases with a consistent focus on phase variations that mirror prototype build changes over time. For this car, there are three very different variations of the carbody and associated details to replicate cars built between 1965 and 1980. While all 4180 airslides may look the same at first glance, they are not.

BNSF “2005+ Repaint” (Car #400679) throws some love to a modern-era BNSF Airslide scheme – a car that is not in buffer but in revenue service. We wanted to duplicate every single piece of lettering possible here. Check out the variation of the anti-skid roof patches, the roof “Caution” lettering, and conspicuity stripes. Truck reporting marks finish off this classy modern scheme.

Features:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from General American plans and verified with field measurements
• Fully assembled and ready to run
• Detailed underframe  pipe arrangements
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• Hyper-Accurate lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• Kadee scale couplers
• Near-scale draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side key detail
• See through etched metal running boards
• 3 specific production variations that highlight production from 1965-1980, including different roofs, running boards (Apex or Morton), body side post (“rib”) profiles, high and low brake arrangements on the B end, different ladder and grab iron arrangements, with or without crossover platforms and handrails, etc.
• Wire grab irons and coupler lift bars
• Separate air hoses
• CNC-machined 36” wheels in high quality Tangent Scale Models trucks, with semi-scale wheels available separately