Manufacturer
Tangent Scale Models
P.O. Box 6514
Asheville, NC 28816
www.tangentscalemodels.com
Era: 1979 to present
Road names: Burlington Northern, Family Lines with Louisville & Nashville reporting marks, Foster Farms, Mid-South Milling, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, and Southern Ry.
Comments: Tangent Scale Models has released a newly tooled version of its 3-bay covered hopper based on the 1979 to 1982 prototype. At first glance, the hopper may not look much different than the early/mid-1970s car the firm released last year. But upon closer examination, you can see differences. The new model features narrow roof hatches, sloped lateral running boards, large holes in the jacking pads, and welded underframe components with access holes.
Our sample is decorated for Burlington Northern. The Cascade Green is evenly applied, and the white lettering is opaque and legible at all sizes. The lettering placement matches a prototype photo I found online. The car accurately has a stiffener over the middle 12 exterior posts.
The model’s dimensions closely match data in the April 1982 Official Railway Equipment Register. At 5.3 ounces, the car is 0.5 ounce too heavy based on National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1. The Kadee scale knuckle couplers are at the correct height, and the metal wheelsets are properly gauged.
Tangent continues to raise the bar on its models. With their prototype-specific car data, numerous separately applied details, and excellent painting and printing, these covered hoppers will be the stars of your freight car fleet.
