{"product_id":"tangent-scale-models-ho-32109-01-illinois-central-gulf-icg-orange-hopper-topper-1973-3-pack","title":"Tangent Scale Models HO 32109-01 Illinois Central Gulf ICG Orange Hopper Topper 1973+ 3-Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'arial black', 'avant garde'; font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTangent Quad Coal Hopper Sold Separately\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eICG Orange Hopper Topper 3-Pack 1973+\u003c\/strong\u003e illustrates a railroad in problem-solving mode. In 1973, the ICG experienced record levels of grain shipments from Iowa and Minnesota. The ICG’s grain hopper fleet utilization was stretched to its limits, and Centralia Quad hoppers were quickly pressed into service, utilizing plastic tarps for weather protection. A more elegant solution was proposed by Proform Incorporated in Minneapolis, MN: a fiberglass top that could be bolted onto the Centralia Quad. This “Hopper Topper” allowed ICG to convert the 100-ton coal hopper fleet to grain service as needed, and providing shippers an additional 7,000 pounds of hauling capacity with trough hatch loading capability and weather protection. Successful tests concluded in the summer of 1973, and Proform was delivering “Hopper Toppers” by the end of the year to Paducah KY. It took 30 minutes to attach the fiberglass cover to a hopper, and the cars were put into use hauling wheat, corn, and soybeans. These Tangent covers feature prototype accuracy and were designed from real photos and blueprints and feature a beautiful etched metal Morton walkway. While this truly innovative solution was utilized by other railroads in later years, our Hopper Topper replicas are designed to fit the Tangent IC\/ICG Centralia Shops 3834cf Quad Coal Hopper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTruck: Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken bearing caps and separate brake beam part\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWheels: CNC-Machined 36″ Wheels\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEra: 1973-1983\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"woocommerce-product-details__short-description\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"\u003ePrototype History:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003eIn 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 quickly 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\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\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 = Big Inventory ∙\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cem\u003eValue Pricing ∙ Fast Shipping ∙ Great Service\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tangent HO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48320754614425,"sku":"TSM32109-01","price":42.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0685\/8847\/0425\/files\/32109-group__13092.1777063994.1280.1280.jpg?v=1784167146","url":"https:\/\/lombardhobby.com\/products\/tangent-scale-models-ho-32109-01-illinois-central-gulf-icg-orange-hopper-topper-1973-3-pack","provider":"Lombard Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}