Tangent Scale Models HO 32111-24 IC Centralia Shops 3834CuFt Quad Coal Hopper Inland Steel 'Delivery Black 1968' INLX #10269

INLX Inland Steel “Delivery Black 7-1968″ models the 270 car delivery for Inland Steel, built by Centralia in 1968.  Inland Steel cars were used on IC-powered unit trains that ran between Inland Mine No. 1 near Sesser, IL and the Inland Steel Plant in East Chicago, Indiana.  Heads up ATSF guys:  We also have photo evidence of the Inland Steel unit train cars running Westbound – loaded – on the ATSF through Joliet, IL in 1976.  The Tangent INLX cars feature a 1968 body with two separate grab irons on the left side.  The hopper doors have the same Keystone Monoloc locking mechanisms as the 1968 IC cars, along with hanging brake linkage running between the bays.  The B-End of the car has an accurate Ajax high handbrake, Morton brake step and modern brake wheel.  Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) flood-style coal load, accurate for the Inland No.1 Mine coal loader at Sesser, IL.  These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Timken caps.  Centralia painted the cars black with Inland’s diamond logo and large “INLAND STEEL” graphics.  Did you notice that “extra tall” ACI label on the side of the car?  The INLX cars utilized an extra 3-digits on the ACI “barcode” to denote the first three digits of the cars light weight.  This assisted Inland Steel in their automated weighing of the cars.  Of course, we have carefully duplicated this neat little piece of lettering.  All IC Quads are not alike – these Inland Steel cars have a specific body and build for INLX, compared to their IC cousins.  Yes, Tangent tooled an INLX-specific body shell to handle the details.  Finally, your Inland Steel trains can have accurate Centralia Quad Hoppers, and not stand-in models!  These INLX models are available in 12 new road numbers from the July 1968 build month, with varying CAPY and date-related data.