In 1968, Southern Illinois and Kentucky Bituminous coal was on the rise. In response to increased carloadings and unit train opportunities, the Illinois Central Railroad (“IC”) tasked its own Centralia, Illinois, Car Shops to modernize the IC coal hopper fleet. Their answer was an all-new 100-ton 3834 cubic foot Quad Coal Hopper. These modern coal hoppers utilized exterior-post construction and quad unloading chutes. Centralia Shops built multiple orders of the cars on an assembly line between 1968 and 1977. 3,420 “Centralia Quads” became the backbone of the IC(G)’s modern coal hauling capacity. IC/ICG Centralia also built an additional 330 cars for Inland Steel and 50 cars for Indianapolis Power & Light. While over half of the ICG fleet was rebuilt into visually different 3614cf cars between 1980-1982, more than 700 cars survived in their original build configuration. Some original Centralia Quads would see extended lives on ICG spin-offs like the Chicago Central and Paducah & Louisville. The original fleet of Centralia Quads dwindled quickly through the early 1990s.

Interestingly, in 1973, the ICG experienced record levels of grain shipments while at the same time the ICG’s grain hopper fleet was fully utilized, so Centralia Quad “coal” hoppers were quicky pressed into service. Proform Incorporated developed a fiberglass “Hopper Topper” that provided ICG an easy path to convert some of the Centralia Quad coal hopper fleet to grain service as needed. The “Hopper Topper” included trough hatches on the roof and kept the food grade lading dry like a traditional covered hopper!

It is important to note: These 3834 cubic foot IC Centralia quad coal hoppers are quite different from “Western Design” 3600 cubic foot and Bethlehem Steel Corporation “Eastern Design” 3350 cubic foot hoppers, both offered by Tangent. That’s right, Tangent Scale Models have now tooled their 3rd different quad coal hopper system: the correct IC Centralia Quad Hopper!

The Tangent Scale Models IC Centralia Shops 3834cf Quad Coal Hopper system features multiple era-specific bodies covering the original 1968-1977 built variants. Tangent Scale Models model is a dimensionally-accurate replica of the real car, and includes other key build variations such as bay door locking mechanisms, brake housings, brake equipment and end frames. 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, removable coal load of either the “flood” or “tipple” style.

The Tangent Scale Models IC/ICG Centralia 3834cf 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 IC Centralia 3834cf Quad Coal Hopper system of models offers a multitude of detail variations and phases to replicate the many different Centralia offerings. Example variations include: 1968, 1969, 1972 and 1977 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 NMRA-compliant yet 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 IC Centralia Quad 3834cf Quad Coal Hopper era and railroad-specific details and variations include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from IC Centralia Shops Quad 3834cf 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 IC/ICG Centralia 1968, 1969, 1972, 1977 bodies and assembly builds, with end frame, ladder assemblies and brake gear details
• Two coal load options: Flood vs. Tipple Style
• “See through” brake step platform
• Proform Incorporated “Hopper Topper” roof covers with etched metal running boards available separately
• Road-specific details for each scheme, including 6 brake wheel housing 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 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

Inland Steel (INLX) “Delivery Black 1968” IC Centralia Shops 3834CuFt Quad Coal Hopper

• Product: Centralia 3834 cuft Quad Hopper
• Scale: HO Scale 1:87.1
• Truck: Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken bearing caps and separate brake beam part
• Wheels: CNC-Machined 36″ Wheels
• Era: 1968-1990

– INLX Inland Steel “Delivery Black 7-1968″ models the 270 car delivery for Inland Steel, built by Centralia in 1968. Inland Steel cars were used on IC-powered unit trains that ran between Inland Mine No. 1 near Sesser, IL and the Inland Steel Plant in East Chicago, Indiana. Heads up ATSF guys: Tangent Scale Models also have photo evidence of the Inland Steel unit train cars running Westbound – loaded – on the ATSF through Joliet, IL in 1976! The Tangent INLX cars feature a 1968 body with two separate grab irons on the left side. The hopper doors have the same Keystone Monoloc locking mechanisms as the 1968 IC cars, along with hanging brake linkage running between the bays. The B-End of the car has an accurate Ajax high handbrake, Morton brake step and modern brake wheel. Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) flood-style coal load, accurate for the Inland No.1 Mine coal loader at Sesser, IL. These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Timken caps. Centralia painted the cars black with Inland’s diamond logo and large “INLAND STEEL” graphics. Did you notice that “extra tall” ACI label on the side of the car? The INLX cars utilized an extra 3-digits on the ACI “barcode” to denote the first three digits of the cars light weight. This assisted Inland Steel in their automated weighing of the cars. Of course, Tangent Scale Models have carefully duplicated this neat little piece of lettering. All IC Quads are not alike – these Inland Steel cars have a specific body and build for INLX, compared to their IC cousins. Yes, Tangent tooled an INLX-specific body shell to handle the details. Finally, your Inland Steel trains can have accurate Centralia Quad Hoppers, and not stand-in models! These INLX models are available in 12 new road numbers from the July 1968 build month, with varying CAPY and date-related data.

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