Manufacturer
Wm. K. Walthers Inc.
P.O. Box 3039
Milwaukee, WI 53201
www.walthers.com
Era: 2001 to present
Comments: An HO model of a TinityRail covered hopper is now available from Walthers. The prototype is a 6,351-cubic-foot car that Trinity debuted in 2001. The car is commonly used in the ethanol industry and is designed for transporting dried distillers grains and other light-density products. It has high side sills, an arched roof, and a continuous trough hatch.
Our sample, decorated for Archer Daniels Midland, has smooth, evenly applied paint and sharp printing. The hopper features a one-piece injection-molded plastic body, numerous separately applied parts, simulated reflective stripes, and factory-installed wire grab irons. The etched-metal crossover platforms and running boards seat in a plastic frame.
The model uses correctly gauged RP-25 contour metal wheelsets and Proto-Max metal magnetic knuckle couplers mounted at the appropriate height. The car weighs 8.2 ounces, which is 2.7 ounces too heavy based on National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1.
The model’s dimensions closely follow prototype drawings on the TrinityRail website. The four-bay hopper is decorated for ADM, Chicago Freight Car Leasing, Midwest DDGs Transport, Trinity Leasing, Vera Sun Energy, and the fictional North American Ethanol. The cars are offered in three road numbers per road name; an undecorated version is also available.
I've seen one of these models, and the running boards are really nice. Etched metal "roofwalks" without plastic frames actually look too thin and and often a bit "wavy". And they're certainly an improvement over all-plastic roofwalks you can't see through.