ScaleTrains Operator HO SXT11401 Pullman-Standard 5820 Covered Hopper Pullman Leasing 'Novamont' PLCX #43608

Description

Please note picture is representative of the item but may not be same road number. Always refer to product description for actual product details.

ScaleTrains Operator HO SXT11401 Pullman-Standard 5820 Covered Hopper Pullman Leasing 'Novamont' PLCX #43608

Road Number Specific ScaleTrains

• All-new model

• Era: 1979 to Late 1980s
• Series 43603 to 43682; built 3-4/79, PS Lot 1022

• Fully-assembled 
• Multiple road numbers
• Late body with 19 posts with lower notches in post; clerestory roof
• Molded Morton stamped round hole roofwalk with plastic grab irons
• Tri-Wheel roof hatches
• Micro-matic pneumatic outlet gates
• Molded Morton stamped round hole coupler crossover platforms
• Factory-applied ladders with plastic rungs
• Brake wheel, stand, and chain
• Finely detailed triple valve, air reservoir
• Semi-scale coupler boxes
• Body-mounted semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers
• Barber S-2 100-ton trucks with finely rendered raised foundry data
• 36” machined metal wheels with accurately profiled .110” wide wheel tread 
• Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
• Simplified printing and lettering legible even under magnification
• Weighted to Industry standards for reliable operation
• Packaging safely stores model
• Detail kit available separately SXT81766 Includes metal grab irons, coupler cut levers, trainline hoses, and more.
• Minimum radius: 18”
• Recommended radius: 22”

The new ScaleTrains Operator HO Scale series model of the Pullman-Standard 5820cf Covered Hopper was designed with value-conscious modelers in mind. To keep costs down, the Operator model shares a common 'late' body type with 19 posts with lower notches in post, a clerestory roof, Tri-Wheel roof hatches, and micro-matic pneumatic outlet gates. In addition, Operator cars feature simplified underbody brake rigging details, along with simplified printing and lettering. Weighted to match NMRA specifications, these smooth-rolling, value-priced models are available in a wide variety of paint schemes for modelers of the 1970s to the present.

For modelers wanting to take their Operator 5280cf to the next level, a detail kit available separately SXT81766 and includes metal grab irons, coupler cut levers, trainline hoses, and more.

PROTOTYPE HISTORY:

Pullman-Standard was one of many legacy domestic car builders that would introduce a design intended to serve the plastics trade. Drawing heavily upon existing grain hopper designs in their catalog, Pullman-Standard introduced a 5820cf capacity car in late 1971. Designed with plastics products in mind, these exterior-post cars were imposing, featuring four bays, and a length of nearly 70 feet over the couplers. The earliest versions featured a peaked roofline and 17 exterior posts per side.

Later versions adopted the trademark P-S 'clerestory' roofline that was also utilized on their landmark 4750cf grain hopper, as well as a revised side panel construction utilizing 19 posts. Initially, the posts featured a small triangular notch at the bottom before switching back to a solid-bottom design. Also reflecting a family appearance with other designs in the P-S catalog, such as the 4785cf covered hopper, all of the 5820cf cars featured vertical structural shear plates on the end sills.

The P-S 5820cf covered hopper proved to be a popular design, with a large number built for a number of private owners, as well as Pullman-Standard’s lease fleet, between 1971 and 1982. While the oldest 5820 cars have been withdrawn from interchange service by now, having reached their 40-year age limit, cars built after July 1st, 1974 are allowed 50 years of service, and up to 65 years if they meet 'Increased Service Life' criteria. And like most car designs, the 5820s have exhibited changes over their service lives, mostly to their hatches and outlets.

As-built, most were equipped with P-S / ITEL Corp. proprietary 'Micro-Matic' pneumatic outlets and either 'Mon-o-Wheel' or 'Tri-Wheel' roof hatches. As these components wore out, they would often be replaced by aftermarket replacements, such as Salco-brand Kam-Op pneumatic outlets. Salco also offers a popular line of replacement hatches for these cars, either plain or vented, which helps negate the need for personnel to climb onto the car running boards to open hatches for venting while unloading.

Operationally, they tended to congregate in petrochemical production regions waiting for loading e.g., the Texas 'Chemical Coast', but were – and still are – seen traveling nationwide in singles or in blocks of cars heading to production facilities for items ranging from plastic milk jugs to fiberglass panels. Interestingly, they can also be seen staged at plastics logistics yards where huge blocks of loaded plastics hoppers are parked, with pellets bought and unloaded as needed onsite by the customer using tractor-pneumatic tank trailer rigs, essentially making the cars rolling warehouses.

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