{"product_id":"exactrail-n-53017-3-pullman-standard-4427-covered-hopper-northern-pacific-1965-as-delivered-billboard-np-76147","title":"ExactRail N 53017-3 Pullman-Standard 4427 Covered Hopper Northern Pacific '1965 As Delivered - Billboard' NP #76147","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eIn 1965, the Northern Pacific switched from a smaller block lettering on their covered hoppers to the much larger 'billboard' style lettering seen in this release. These 6 numbers come from a smaller order of PS-2CD 4427s that the NP received in July 1965 from Pullman-Standard and were numbered from 76120-76169.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eDesigned, Engineered and Tooled in the United States!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eFactory installed couplers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003e100-Ton ASF 'Ride Control' Trucks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eCNC- machined metal wheel sets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eRazor sharp painting and printing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003ePhoto-etched, stainless steel roof walk\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrototype History\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eThe Pullman-Standard PS-2CD 4427 cubic foot covered hopper, introduced in 1963 offered versatility for various commodities, such as grain products, chemicals, and minerals. Manufactured at their Butler, Pennsylvania factory, the design underwent refinements during its nearly nine-year production period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eEarly production featured 'Low-Hip' construction, featuring taller side sheets between the bolsters, while later cars featured 'High-Hip' construction, with shorter side sheets that exposed more of the car bays between the bolsters. Changes were also made to the end 'cages,' including the lowering of the hand-brake, revisions to the end grab iron and support arrangements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eSimilar to other covered hoppers, customers had the option to choose different roof hatch configurations, including full-length trough round hatches. The full-length versions were commonly used for grain transport, facilitating easy loading from grain elevators. On the other hand, round hatches were preferred for commodities that required enhanced protection from the elements due to their superior sealing capability.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eCustomers could also specify different types and brands of outlets to suit various commodities. Gravity outlets were suited for grain products, while gravity-pneumatic outlets offered even more flexibility, being able to switch between straight gravity discharge, or pneumatic discharge via vacuum hoses, which was ideal for powdery commodities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eThe choice of running board and end coupler platforms varied according to customer preferences. These cars could be equipped with Apex slotted-hole, Morton round-hole, or U.S. Gypsum diamond-hole types, offering different platform options.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eProduction ended in 1971 with thousands of cars operating in revenue freight service across North America until the late 2000s. Cars built prior to July 1, 1974 fall under AAR Rule 90 status, allowing a car life of 40 years in interchange service. Since freight cars built prior to 1974 are no longer eligible for 'Free Interchange' service, they can only be handled between participating railroads on an exception basis or must undergo a recertification program as per AAR Rule 88 Rebuild.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\"\u003eDespite mandatory retirement from interchange service, some 4427cf hoppers are still hard at work in roles such as maintenance of way, having their roofs removed and outlets modified to make them suitable for company ballast service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"std\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLombard Hobbies - Your Valued Shop for over 40 Years!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"ExactRail N","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48320004063385,"sku":"EN53017-3","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0685\/8847\/0425\/files\/en-53017-a_web__15612.1700069445.1280.1280.jpg?v=1784151926","url":"https:\/\/lombardhobby.com\/products\/exactrail-n-53017-3-pullman-standard-4427-covered-hopper-northern-pacific-1965-as-delivered-billboard-np-76147","provider":"Lombard Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}