ScaleTrains 31048 N Scale Rivet Counter PS-2CD 4785 H54A Covered Hopper Staley TLCX 35030

Designed from builder drawings and field measurements, the all-new Pullman-Standard 4785cf Covered Hopper is the latest freight car from ScaleTrains.com. Perfect for modelers from the 1960s until today, these cars are an important part of the P-S covered hopper family. Since the beginning, these cars have crisscrossed North America running in groups and singles in freight trains. These models feature numerous roof hatch, outlet gate, running board, and end “cage” support variations per roadname and production group.

One of the larger sizes offered in the Pullman-Standard covered hopper catalog, the PS-2CD 4785 cubic foot design could be optimized for a variety of commodities, from grain products, to chemical or mineral ladings. Introduced in 1967 and built at their Butler, PA plant, the basic design would see refinements to its basic design over its five-year production span. The end “cages” of the cars would change over this period, with revisions to the end grab iron and support arrangements. Later production would also feature tall shear plates as part of the end sills, adding another visual distinction to this family of cars.

And as common with other covered hopper production, the customer could option the cars with different roof hatch options; full-length trough, three-trough, or round hatches. The full-length trough hatches were typically applied to cars intended for grain duty, allowing easy loading from spouts used at grain elevators. Round hatches are easier to seal, and were preferred for cars designed for commodities that needed better protection from the elements. The three-trough option, unique to Cotton Belt, was essentially the full-length trough divided into three smaller sections, making it a “best-of-both-worlds” option that combined the ease of loading of the full-length trough, with the better sealing capability of a round hatch.

Different outlet types and brands could also be fitted, with gravity or gravity-pneumatic types installed for optimal handling of different commodities. Gravity outlets were preferred for grains, while the gravity-pneumatic outlet type offered greater flexibility in the types of commodities that could be handled. The gravity setting allowed the commodity to discharge from the outlets via normal gravity (such as grain), while the pneumatic setting allowed commodities to be unloaded via vacuum hose. This was used for ladings such as plastic pellets, or powdery chemical or foodstuff commodities, that would tend to “cake-up” in the outlet, and needed the vacuum for smoother and contamination-free unloading. Running board and end coupler platforms could also vary per customer option, with Apex (slotted-hole), Morton (round-hole), and U.S. Gypsum (diamond-hole) types seen fitted to these cars.

Road Number Specific ScaleTrains

A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. (TLCX Leased)

• As-built paint and configuration
  
• TLCX 35030-35114, built 1969 (P-S Lot 9427)
  
• Equipped with short-track gravity outlets
  
• Equipped with long trough loading hatches
  
• Tall angled end grab supports with long center sills
  
• Handbrake on Tall angled end supports
  
• Apex (slotted) running boards and coupler platforms
  
• Separately-applied photo-etched “Staley” logo placard
  
• Examples lasted into the 1990s in their as-built paint

Additional Features

• All-new model
  
• Four (4) different road numbers
  
• Two different roof hatch options: Continuous Trough or 3-Trough.
  
• Apex (slotted) walkways and coupler
  
• Photo-etched stainless steel see-through running board with plastic grab irons
  
• Photo-etched stainless steel see-through end crossover platforms
  
• Two different end brace and grab variations– see roadname above for specific version
  
• Two different “end cage” grab iron and support – see roadname above for specific version
  
• Gravity or Gravity-Pneumatic outlets – see roadname above for specific version
  
• End shear plates – denoted as appropriate by roadname above
  
• Factory-applied ladders with metal rungs
  
• Factory-applied trainline pipe
  
• Brake plumbing with separate air reservoir amd control valve details plus separately applied wireform plumbing.
  
• Handbrakes mounted to stands, end supports, and or end shear plate – see roadname above for specific version
  
• Plastic semi-scale standard Type E couplers
  
• Highly-detailed Barber S-2 100-ton trucks with finely rendered raised foundry data
  
• 36” machined metal wheels
  
• Minimum radius: 10”
  
• Recommended radius: 12”

All Rivet Counter N Scale Freight Cars Feature

• Fully assembled
  
• Color matched to Tru-Color Paint colors whenever possible
  
• Printing and lettering legible even under magnification
  
• Coupler cut levers
  
• Trainline hoses
  
• Intricate brake plumbing
  
• Weighted to Industry standards
  
• Operates on Code 55 and 70 Rail
  
• Clear jewel box packaging safely stores model