HO ACF CENTER FLOW COVERED HOPPER

For its latest ready-to-run freight car, Atlas has created a superb model of an early American Car & Foundry 3,500-cubic-foot Center Flow covered hopper. When first made in 1961, these cars introduced a then-radical cylindrical design. The car's pear-shaped cross section allowed a lighter weight and increased volume compared to standard covered hoppers. Prototype cars were built in several versions and lengths, all known by their cubic-foot capacities and number of compartments and unloading bays.

The model's injection-molded styrene body has all detail parts installed except for four bolster safety straps, one at each corner near the stirrups. A couple of minutes and some cyanoacrylate adhesive and the car is ready to roll.

Atlas has done a beautiful job with the details on the model. The brake piping, end bracing, and hatches in particular are very sharp.

The model measures a scale 51'-6" long, 10'-7" wide, and 15'-0" tall. These dimensions match prototype drawings of a 3,500-cubic-foot car published in the February 1969 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. Its 4.5-ounce weight matches NMRA Recommended Practice 20.1.

Horn-hook couplers are installed in body-mounted draft-gear boxes, with covers held in place by friction pins. Kadee no. 5 couplers will drop right in place, as will McHenry or InterMountain knuckle couplers.

These cars are very free-rolling, and the wheelsets feature blackened metal wheels on plastic needlepoint axles. The roller-bearing trucks are held in place by plastic friction pins.

The painting and lettering are nicely done, including reporting marks, number, and data on each end as well as data on and near the discharge bays. Our Chicago, Burlington & Quincy sample is properly numbered for a series of ten 3,500-cubic-foot cars the railroad purchased in 1963.

Atlas has done a great job with this model, and the company will soon be releasing a six-bay version of the same car. J.W.