Bluford Shops 74105 N Ontario Northland Version 2 3-Bay Offset Hopper #140173

70 ton 3-Bay Offset Side Hoppers first appeared in the late '20s and by the late '30s had become an AAR standard design with cars delivered from a number of builders in large quantities. The last of these cars were delivered in the late-'60s and many remained in service through the '80s.

These ready-to-run models feature: diecast slope sheet-hopper bay-center sill assembly; injection molded plastic sides, ends, and hopper doors; fully molded brake tank, valve and air lines; slope sheet braces; separately molded vertical brake rod and lever assembly; body mounted brake hose detail; “coal” load except as noted; body mounted magnetically operating couplers; close coupling; friction bearing or roller bearing trucks as appropriate for each road name. All road names are produced in multiple road numbers.

These Ontario Northland cars feature the “Canadian Style” hopper arrangement with the center hopper bays facing the brake wheel end instead of the “A” end of the car. This style was only used on Canadian roads but was not universally applied (the CN cars in this batch do NOT have the reversed center bays for instance.) Coal was not a big commodity on the ONT but metallic ores were. This group of 6 road numbers includes “nickel ore” loads.

Note: Pictures may be of another Road Number.