As hot rolled coil steel production accelerated during the 1960s, the railroads needed to provide railcars to secure outbound loads of this “hot” commodity. PRR’s Samuel Rea shops answered the market call with a customized railcar: PRR introduced the G41 coil steel gondola in 1965 but quickly made modifications to the design, and produced the G41A from 1966 to 1968. The G41A was a gondola design with 6 transverse troughs of varying sizes, designed to handle different loading combinations and coil roll diameters. G41As initially included specialized coil hoods that protected the loads. The G41A fleet saw modifications from Conrail in the 1990s, notably the removal of walkway supports and hood alignment guides. In 2000, NS heavily rebuilt these cars from 6 to 5 internal troughs to accommodate larger diameter coils common for the era.

The Tangent Scale Models PRR Samuel Rea Shops G41A Coil Steel Gondola accurately replicates the prototype’s distinctive 39’ body and extended draft gear. We have tooled three specific build variations: PRR delivery with removable coil hoods, Conrail 1990s modifications, and NS (post-Conrail) 2000 rebuilds. These cars come with incredible detailing including crossover platform and power brake variations, coupler lift bar variations, wire brake piping, separate metal stirrup steps, durable wire grab irons, and “near-scale” draft gear. We include coil hoods where era-appropriate. These cars come standard with HO scale’s most accurate colors and car stenciling, and ride on one of two all-new 125-Ton ASF Gould Foundry Roller Bearing trucks: with or without the PC-era coil damper detail (both with 38” wheels). Finally, our replicas are weighted properly and are equipped with Kadee couplers which means they operate as good as they look.

A quick synopsis of our era and railroad-specific detail variations include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from actual PRR G41A blueprints

• Highly correct “true to life” colors

• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement

• Genuine Kadee scale couplers

• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered Cushion Draft gear “flare” detail

• “See through” crossover platforms

• Precision Stanray ends and roof matching these prototypes

• Center-of-Car Cushion underframe layout and design

• Road-specific details for each scheme including 3 different trough bodies, brakewheel housing options, coupler lift bar bracket options, 2 different crossover platform combinations.

• Beautiful details – wire grab irons and highly detailed coupler lift bars – no “molded in” plastic grab irons here!

• Durable rubber air hoses

• Strong metal stirrup steps.

• Our precision Tangent Scale Models 125-ton ASF trucks with rotating bearing caps and separate brake beam part

• CNC-machined 38” wheels

• Weighted over the NMRA-recommended weight so they can operate well when empty

• Multiple road numbers for each scheme

• Multiple accurate coil size options available separately for prototype load modeling

• Recommended age 14 years and older

– NS “GP67 Repaint 2005+” is an exciting release for us. NS rebuilt some of their G41A cars around 2000 and placed them in the GP67 class. These rebuilds were changed from 6 troughs to 5 troughs to accommodate larger diameter coils. This major change, along with yellow trough bracing, makes these cars really stand out in the crowd. The Tangent offering picks up in 2005+, where the NS cars have received their conspicuity stripes. The troughs received not-so-subtle wide white stripes down the centerline of the car to assist loading. If you read the data carefully, you will find accurate 50 Year Life Extension stenciling and painted diamonds labeling the cars for “HOT” steel coil service. The 125-Ton trucks feature NS reporting mark and car numbers along with 38” wheels and rotating Timken caps. These are some “HOT” cars for the “modern” era.

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