{"product_id":"fox-valley-models-15005-ho-scale-usra-55-ton-2-bay-open-hopper-baltimore-ohio-b-o-726431","title":"Fox Valley Models 15005 HO Scale USRA 55-Ton 2-Bay Open Hopper Baltimore \u0026 Ohio B\u0026O 726431","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFox Valley Models 15005 HO Scale USRA 55-Ton 2-Bay Open Hopper Baltimore \u0026amp; Ohio B\u0026amp;O 726431\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with steam locomotives, railroads needed a way to transport the black diamond of fuel: coal. While gondolas could do the job, specially designed cars were developed in the late 1800s to haul the commodity. As a result, coal hoppers would become one of the most numerous types of cars built. Their specific purpose was to bring coal from the mines to the end customers – railroads, factories and coal yards for home delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoal hoppers had a basic design of a large open top area for loading, slope sheets on the interior to aid in unloading, and bays at the bottom with door that would open to quickly unload a car. From there, designers always tried to find a way to increase capacity from a basic design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen America's railroads were nationalized during World War I, the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) created a series of standardized freight cars. One of the most popular designs was the 55-Ton all-steel open hopper, of which 22,000 were produced. After the war, the USRA adopted the design as its standard practice, and near-clones were built by the tens of thousands – the majority of which worked long enough to be seen through the 1960s and early 1970s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFEATURES:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple road numbers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully assembled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinely cast stirrup steps; end ladders; underbody and brake system\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWire grab irons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeparately applied handbrake wheel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed trucks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e33” Machined metal wheels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccurately profiled .110″ wide wheel tread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlastic semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers, Kadee compatible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody mounted coupler box will accept Kadee whisker couplers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeighted to Industry standards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePackaging safely stores model when assembled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum radius 18”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: Road number may vary from picture shown.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fox Valley Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44247570415829,"sku":"SXT15005","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0520\/1972\/4454\/files\/fox-valley-models-15005-ho-scale-usra-55-ton-2-bay-open-hopper-baltimore-ohio-b-o-726431.jpg?v=1687371267","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterosehobbies.com\/products\/fox-valley-models-15005-ho-scale-usra-55-ton-2-bay-open-hopper-baltimore-ohio-b-o-726431","provider":"White Rose Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}