From 1974 to 1980, the Bethlehem Steel Corporation built 8,715 100-Ton “Eastern Design Quad” coal hoppers of 3350 cubic foot capacity. These quad hoppers were purchased in large build groups by Louisville & Nashville (L&N) and Clinchfield Railroad (CRR) for loading at Appalachian coal mines, and these quad hoppers became the backbones for both railroad’s coal fleets, plus SCWX South Carolina utility fleet cars. These cars served well into the CSXT era in un-rebuilt configurations due to their importance in CSXT’s coal-hauling strategy. These 3350 cubic foot quad coal hoppers are visually similar but not the same as the “Western design” 3600 cubic foot quad hoppers as utilized by Union Pacific, also offered by Tangent. That’s right, Tangent Scale Models have tooled and are now offering the correct “Eastern design” car as built by Bethlehem Steel!

The Tangent Scale Models Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper features multiple era-specific bodies and assemblies covering the original 1974-1980 BSC build variations. Tangent Scale Models model is a dimensionally-accurate replica of the real car, and includes other key build variations such as brake housings, brake equipment, end frames and roping plates. This replica includes Tangent Scale Models “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail as well as full body interior rivet detail. Tangent Scale Models ready-to-operate replica is finished with separate, real wire grab irons, coupler lift bars, rubber air hoses, genuine Kadee scale couplers, accurate CNC-machined wheels, 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. Finally, Tangent Scale Models model includes a realistic, removeable coal load of either the “flood” or “tipple” style.

The Tangent Scale Models Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal 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 Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper system of models offers a multitude of detail variations and phases to replicate the many different Bethlehem Steel offerings. Example variations include: 1974, 1976-1978, 1979 and 1980 body assembly builds. This replica includes Tangent Scale Models fine “near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail. Tangent Scale Models ready-to-operate replica is finished scale metal grab irons, coupler lift bars, accompanying Kadee scale couplers and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. At more than 120 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 model that will provide you with years of enjoyment and curb-appeal.

These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of Tangent Scale Models Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper era and railroad-specific details and variations include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper plans and verified with field measurements
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• Industry-leading “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• Genuine Kadee scale couplers
• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme
• Multiple Bethlehem 1974, 1976-1978, 1979 and 1980 bodies and assembly builds, with correct bolster post/detail variations, roping plate versions and top chord corner cap options
• Two coal load options: Flood vs. Tipple Style
• “See through” brake step platform
• Road-specific details for each scheme, including 7 brake wheel housing options, 2 ABD Valve options, 2 retainer valve mounting options and 2 different routing board options.
• Beautiful details including separately-applied scale wire grab irons and coupler lift bars – no “molded on” plastic grab irons or “thick” plastic grab iron parts anywhere on this replica!
• Separate flexible rubber air hoses
• CNC-machined 36” wheels with accurate front and back detail
• Tangent Scale Models precision Tangent Scale Models 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps (four possible options!) and separate brake beam part (2 possible options!)
• Weighted to NMRA specifications – yes, even with the coal load removed!
• Recommended age 14 years and older

Louisville & Nashville (L&N) “Delivery Orange” 1974 Bethlehem Steel 3350CuFt Quad Coal Hopper

• Product: Bethlehem 3350 cuft Quad Hopper
• Scale: HO Scale 1:87.1
• Truck: Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Hyatt bearing caps and separate brake beam part
• Wheels: CNC-Machined 36″ Wheels
• Era: 1974-2000

– Louisville & Nashville (L&N) “Delivery Orange” 1974 introduces the first-ever class of Bethlehem quad hoppers delivered to any railroad! In turn, these were the first order of L&N cars, and they are very distinctive because they were painted in an orange carbody color! This class of cars was comprised of 650 cars delivered by Bethlehem across the late 1973 and early 1974 period. These cars feature the “slanted” L&N reporting marks – and all other stenciling – in black. The models feature an accurate 1974 Bethlehem Steel carbody including with angled gussets on the top chord corners and single “lower” side posts at the bolsters. Take a moment to look at the bottom corner roping plate details – see-through and accurate, allowing you to see the terminating bottom chord behind them. The B-end of the model features an accurate Equipco 3750F high handbrake, “modern” brake wheel and Morton-style brake step. Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) flood-style coal load. These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Hyatt roller bearing caps. The L&N lettering on the cars includes varying CAPY, paint and COTS data across the different car numbers. These cars are available in 24 numbers, perfect for building those coal trains right now on your layout. These L&N models are available with month specific build dates: SKUs -01 through -12 are 1-74. SKUs -13 through -24 are 2-74.  It’s time to haul coal.

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