The 55-Ton 2-Bay Hopper was designed by the government-run United States Railroad Administration during World War I as a standardized hopper to relieve a national shortage of new rolling stock during the war. Following the return to private ownership, many railroads continued to use these hoppers, and a large number of similar cars were constructed to supplement them. While their primary years of hauling coal were between 1918 and the late 1950s, it was possible to catch these reliable cars right up until the 1970s, with many ending their careers in maintenance-of-way service. Today, a number remain in preservation on tourist railroads, giving them a plausible place on just about any layout. The Bachmann USRA 55-Ton 2-Bay Hopper comes fully assembled, featuring a highly detailed painted body with a removable coal load, separately-applied brake reservoirs, blackened metal wheels with RP25 contours, magnetically-operated E-Z Mate® couplers, and added weight for optimum tracking performance. Feed the demands of the industries on your HO Scale layout with the Bachmann USRA 55-Ton 2-Bay Hopper.
