MTH 20-95705 - 2-Bay Fish Belly Hopper Car "Reading"

• Road Name: Reading
• Road Number: 65009, 65193
• Product Line: Premier
• Scale: O Scale

Features:

• Intricately Detailed Durable ABS Body
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Die-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
• Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
• Colorful, Attractive Paint Schemes
• Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
• Needle-Point Axles
• 1:48 Scale Dimensions
• O Scale Kadee Compatible Coupler Mounting Pads
• Unit Measures: 9 1/2” x 2 1/2” x 3”
• Operates On O-31 Curves

Overview:

Unlike equipment that carried a variety of loads, like boxcars, flatcars, and gondolas, this two-bay hopper was designed specifically for one cargo: anthracite coal on railroads of the eastern seaboard. Its capacity matched the volume of coal that a pair of typical 50-ton freight trucks could carry. And its “fishbelly” slope sheets — the angled floors at either end of the car — were set at precisely the angle at which coal would flow easily from its bottom doors. (Covered grain hoppers, for example, require much steeper slope sheets.)

The two-bay car was ideal for delivery of clean-burning anthracite to coal dealers who served the home heating market. In contrast, dirtier-burning bituminous coal, used more commonly by large industrial customers, often traveled in bigger three- and four-bay hoppers.

MTH Premier O Scale freight cars are the perfect complement to any manufacturer’s scale proportioned O Gauge locomotives. Whether you prefer to purchase cars separately or assemble a unit train, MTH Premier Rolling Stock has the cars for you in a variety of car types and paint schemes.

Virtually every sturdy car is offered in two car numbers which makes it even easier than ever to combine them into a mult-car consist. Many of MTH’s Premier Rolling Stock offerings can also operate on the tightest O Gauge curves giving them even more added versatitlity to your layout.