These 2-Bay War Emergency Composite Hopper cars were built during the Second World War with wood siding and slope sheets at the direction of the War Production Board in hopes of saving as much steel as possible for the war effort. This was especially the case with hoppers that were usually built with copper-bearing steel to resist corrosion. The car sides were built with the Pratt truss design using a combination of vertical and diagonal ribs.

These ready-to-run N scale cars feature: 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; removeable load; body mounted magnetically operating knuckle couplers; close coupling; and Fox Valley Models metal wheels.

Atlantic Coast Line took delivery of 700 of these hoppers from Bethlehem Steel in 1943. Unlike their sister road L&N, coal was not a big commodity for the ACL. Their hoppers were much more likely to be found carrying sand, gravel or various industrial and agricultural minerals. We are including “mineral” loads with the four road numbers in this run.

Looking for more Bluford Shops N Scale Hoppers? Click here!

Looking for more Bluford Shops N Scale Products? Click here!