It’s time for a newly-tooled Covered Hopper! That’s right! Tangent Scale Models introduces a brand-new body in their PS4750 System – the N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 4750 Covered Hopper, their new product release for August 2025!

Just eight months after Pullman-Standard released the groundbreaking 4750cf covered hopper, in February 1973 Norfolk and Western Railroad (N&W) produced the first prototype for their own “home shops” fleet of this in-demand railcar. N&W’s Roanoke Shops, based in Roanoke, Virginia, produced many freight cars over the years, notably the majority of N&W’s large fleet of coal hoppers. Roanoke Shops also constructed 1,500 of these 4750 covered hoppers in the HC-71 class, designed to handle grains, fertilizers, lime, and other bulk commodity needs. These covered hoppers still operate on Norfolk Southern in both original and repaint paint schemes, while at the same time some cars have been sold to other operators.

The Tangent N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 Class 4750cf Covered Hopper is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Tangent Scale Models Roanoke 4750 model replicates the prototype’s unique features including the distinctive vertical huck bolt rows on the carbody sides, welded sill extensions, and high shaker bracket locations. The models also include variations in jacking pads, outlet gates, roof hatches, and brake parts. Tangent Scale Models replicas include their fine “near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail. Tangent Scale Models ready-to-operate replica is finished with coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee scale couplers and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. At more than 100 parts per car, not to mention phase accurate details, genuine Kadee couplers, and all-metal wheels, Tangent Scale Models provide you with a high-value-for-your-dollar model that will provide you with years of enjoyment and curb-appeal.

These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of Tangent Scale Models N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 Class 4750 scale replicas include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from N&W/Pullman-Standard plans and verified with field measurements
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme
• Road-specific details for each scheme
• “See through” etched metal running boards and crossover platforms
• N&W Roanoke side and end carbody details, including distinctive side post huck bolt rows
• Accurate N&W Roanoke brake layout configuration
• Brakewheel housing and clevis options
• Outlet gates
• Original + replacement style roof hatch parts
• New jacking pad varieties covering N&W specific Roanoke production from 1973-1979
• 5 different AEI tags covering different applications
• Beautiful details – wire grab irons and coupler lift bars – no “molded in” plastic grab irons here!
• Separate air hoses
• Tangent Scale Models precision 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps (four possible options!) and separate brake beam part (2 possible options!)
• SKU-specific Stucki HS-7 Snubber option applied as needed on Tangent’s Barber S-2 trucks
• CNC-machined 36” wheels
• Genuine Kadee scale couplers
• Recommended age 14 years and older

Norfolk Western (NW) “Delivery HC-71 1979” NW Roanoke Shops 4750CuFt Covered Hopper

• Product: NW Roanoke Shops 4750CuFt Covered Hopper
• Scale: HO Scale 1:87.1
• Truck: 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating Brenco-3 bearing caps and separate brake beam part
• Wheels: CNC-Machined 36″ Wheels
• Era: 1979-2025

– NW “Delivery HC-71 1979” duplicates the second Roanoke delivery of 500 HC-71 cars from 1979. This group of cars is visually different from their 1973-74 peers. These 1979 cars are equipped with accurate smooth-style roof hatch and larger open-circle jacking pads above the bolsters. For this production, Tangent Scale Models chose cars built in November and December of 1979. That distinctive Roanoke body really stands out, with the two vertical rows of huck bolts on the car sides. If you look closely at the ends, you will see the Roanoke-style weldments on the end vertical end sheet behind the end running board supports, straight brake cylinder lever behind the brake wheel and welded sill extensions. These are just a few of the details that make a Roanoke 4750 different from their Pullman Standard brothers. The lettering on this group of cars reflects its 1979 era. The COTS boxes are double style, and the carbody clearly does not include an ACI label. All of those gorgeous NW stencils are carefully recreated, from the large NW logo down to the one-inch Roanoke paint codes. The accurate 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks feature tiny N&W-applied T-219 truck class stencils, rotating Brenco-3 caps and 36” all-metal wheels. Tangent Scale Models are proud to offer these NW replicas in 12 road numbers: SKUs -01 through -06 feature 11-1979 build dates while SKUs -07 through -12 have 12-1979 build dates. Even the outlet gates are car-number specific!  SKUs -01 through -08 feature Miner Selflok outlet gates while SKUs -09 through -12 have Keystone Portloc gates. Tangent is all about the little details!

Looking for more Tangent Scale Models Hoppers? Click here!