The Atlas 20006566 PS-2 covered hopper in HO scale represents Northern Pacific #75446 in stylish gray and black. Note that the picture might show a different road number. Covered hoppers are a modern addition to the car family. Until the 1980s, the AAR regarded them as “special” cars, and they finally got their own car - type code category. These early designs were made for more 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 simple. For loading, just use the eight round roof hatches to quickly fill it with your desired commodity. When it's time to unload, open the two large gravity gates and the stuff will come out fast. As for things to watch out for, be careful when handling the couplers. Don't force them too hard when connecting to other cars to avoid damage. Also, try to keep the car on a smooth track to prevent any jolts that could spill the load. For maintenance, give it a gentle clean every now and then to keep it looking good. Check the brake gear and trucks regularly to make sure they're working well. If you notice any parts that seem worn out, it's a good idea to replace them right away.