Tangent Scale Models is pleased to announce our next all-new car, the HO Scale General American Dry-Flo covered hopper. This is the first time this model has been produced in HO Scale.
General American Transportation Corporation produced a large fleet of 3500 cubic foot “Dry-Flo” covered hoppers beginning in 1959 as a response to customer demands for larger covered hoppers capable of handling bulk commodities. While covered hopper innovations during the 1950s proved valuable to bulk shippers, they wanted covered hoppers that could handle larger quantities of specialized commodities such as such as oats, malt, and rice. Coincidentally, plastic pellet producers were also looking for larger cube covered hoppers that could be easily loaded and unloaded under pressure. The Dry-Flo family of cars was General American’s answer to this call, with gravity-pneumatic or pneumatic-only discharge options available through three different outlet gate versions. These outlet gate variations were marketed as the Dry-Flo, Dry-Flo Chem, and Dia-Flo.
The Tangent Scale Models Dry-Flo covered hopper includes road-specific details accurate for each paint scheme. Our Dry-Flo hoppers include our finely-detailed gravity-pneumatic outlet gates and are ready for any of the following services on your layout: malt, fertilizer, feed, chemicals, plastics, carbon black, rice, or salt. Also, check out our correct “true-to-life” colors and “hyper-accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement. Finally, our scale replicas operate as well as they look, equipped with free-rolling all-metal wheels and genuine Kadee® scale couplers, meaning our models are truly ready to run. Oh, and some of our new cars also ride on our new Barber S-2-A 70-ton roller bearing trucks (available separately!), while others ride on our fine ASF 70-ton ride control plain bearing trucks – depending on which truck the prototype rode on! See our website for prototype photos!
At more than 100 parts per car, we provide you with an unusual looking yet common, high-value model that will provide you with years of enjoyment. We debut our stunning General American Dry-Flo models in eight roadnames plus undecorated versions, listed here:
– BN “Cascade Green” with the classic large BN herald and large spelled out Burlington Northern. With a paint date of 1-72, these classic cars come in four roadnumbers and continue the “family appearance” of our fine BN products.
– Conrail “H41” is a former PRR class of cars that feature the stencilized “CONRAIL” and can opener, as well as the now-classic Conrail font for reporting marks and road numbers. A sharp gray car, these replicas are available in two road numbers and will stand out on any layout.
– Illinois Central “Original Gray” in the classic original gray scheme from 1960. These cars come with the accurate black underframe coloring with distinctive open and close lettering in white on the six underbody bays. These sharp cars are available in 4 road numbers and are essential for IC and ICG modelers lasting well into the 1980s.
– Northern Pacific “Original Gray” in the classic original gray scheme from 1960. Like some General American painted cars, these cars include the correct black underframe coloring with distinctive open and close lettering in white on the six underbody bays. These cars are available in 3 road numbers and are essential to NP and BN modelers, as well as interchange roads, and lasted well into the 1980s.
– PRR “Original Gray” in the classic gray paint with large “PENNSYLVANIA” spelled in black across the side of the car, with a beautifully-rendered shadow keystone on the right side of the car. Our PRR replicas are offered in four road numbers.
– Union Pacific “Albina Silver 1979” is offered in the classic all silver paint with highly visible red lettering. This car screams UP 1980s pride. We know how to do UP right, and this car includes silver-painted trucks and is available in 4 road numbers.
– GACX “Diamond Sugar – Montreal” is the first of our two private operator schemes offered at this time, continuing our series of highly-accurate Canadian models. These gray private operator cars include a large blue and white band, and a distinctive red diamond logo. Saying these are flashy is an understatement. Check out the beautiful, prominent lettering on this car! It is available in 2 road numbers.
– GACX “D O W – Freeport TX” is the second of our two private operator schemes offered. This car includes the distinctive diamond shaped logo that stands out in white and black on this gray car. This car is quintessential 1960s in its appearance, and is a very sharp model, so don’t miss it! This scheme is available in 2 road numbers.
– Undecorated RTR Primer Gray
– Unpainted Kit
These products will begin shipping today. Features for these replicas include:
– Dimensional accuracy – designed from General American plans and verified with field measurements
– Highly correct “true to life” colors
– “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
– Genuine Kadee® scale couplers
– “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail
– Multiple road numbers for each scheme
– “See through” etched metal running boards
– Road-specific details for each scheme, including 2 different truck options, 2 different shaker brackets, 3 different brakewheels, and 3 different handbrake housings
– Lacy details – wire grab irons and coupler lift bars
– Separate air hoses
– CNC-machined 33” wheels in high quality Tangent Scale Models trucks, with semi-scale wheels available separately
– Recommended age 14 years and older
Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models General American Dry-Flo covered hopper, one of the most needed freight cars from the turbulent early-1960s period of freight car development that lasted to the early 1990s! Pricing for RTR models is $44.95, with quantity discounts for direct purchases from Tangent Scale Models.
That wraps up our update for today, and thank you for supporting the family-owned businesses in our industry!
David Lehlbach