This HO scale Atlas 20006560 PS - 2 covered hopper, Smith Douglass SDCX #33, comes in eye - catching gray, red, and white colors. Note that the picture might show a different road number. Covered hoppers are a modern addition to the car family. Before the 1980s, the AAR regarded them as'special' cars, and they later got their own car type code. These early designs were made for efficient cement loading and unloading, replacing the old way of bagging cement and using box cars. Pullman - Standard built this two - bay covered hopper design from the late 1940s to the 1950s. It has eight round roof hatches for fast loading and two large gravity gates for quick commodity discharge, with a capacity of 2,003 cubic feet. Key features include 50 - ton friction bearing or 70 - ton roller bearing trucks (depending on the road name), detailed brake gear, Accumate® couplers, and prototypical painting and printing.

Using this covered hopper is easy. For loading, just open the eight round roof hatches and fill the car with the commodity. When it's time to unload, open the two large gravity gates and let the contents flow out. Here are some things to keep in mind. Don't overfill the hopper as it has a capacity of 2,003 cubic feet. When handling, be gentle with the detailed brake gear and Accumate® couplers to avoid damage. For maintenance, regularly check the trucks (either 50 - ton friction bearing or 70 - ton roller bearing depending on the road name). Keep them clean and lubricated as needed. Also, check the painting and printing to make sure they stay in good condition. If there are any signs of wear, consider getting it repainted to keep its prototypical look.