Asheville, North Carolina: Tangent Scale Models announces the availability today of our latest all-new HO Scale model: The Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper. Never-before available in brass or plastic, we are pleased to bring you this highly-relevant – and needed – prototype model in HO Scale.
No preorders. No waiting. These cars are available right now.
From 1974 to 1980, the Bethlehem Steel Corporation built 8,715 100-Ton “Eastern Design Quad” coal hoppers of 3350 cubic foot capacity. These quad hoppers were purchased in large build groups by Louisville & Nashville (L&N) and Clinchfield Railroad (CRR) for loading at Appalachian coal mines, and these quad hoppers became the backbones for both railroad’s coal fleets, plus SCWX South Carolina utility fleet cars. These cars served well into the CSXT era in un-rebuilt configurations due to their importance in CSXT’s coal-hauling strategy. These 3350 cubic foot quad coal hoppers are visually similar but not the same as the “Western design” 3600 cubic foot quad hoppers as utilized by Union Pacific, also offered by Tangent. That’s right, we have tooled and are now offering the correct “Eastern design” car as built by Bethlehem Steel!
The Tangent Scale Models Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper features multiple era-specific bodies and assemblies covering the original 1974-1980 BSC build variations. Our model is a dimensionally-accurate replica of the real car, and includes other key build variations such as brake housings, brake equipment, end frames and roping plates. This replica includes our “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail as well as full body interior rivet detail. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished with separate, real wire grab irons, coupler lift bars, rubber air hoses, genuine Kadee® scale couplers, accurate CNC-machined wheels, 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. Finally, our model includes a realistic, removeable coal load of either the “flood” or “tipple” style.
Our December 2023 debut of the Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper includes four railroad schemes, plus four RTR unlettered options.
– Clinchfield (CRR) “FH18 Delivery Black 1974” replicates Clinchfield’s first order of Bethlehem Quad Hoppers, delivered across the second half of 1974. The Tangent model features an accurate 1974-style Bethlehem body, with angled gussets on the top chord corners and single “lower” side posts at the bolsters. Take a moment to look at the bottom corner roping plate details – see-through and accurate, allowing you to see the terminating bottom chord behind them. The bays are outfitted with Wine lock appliances. On the end of the car, the model features an accurate Equipco 3750 high handbrake and Morton-style brake step. Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) tipple-style coal load. These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Timken caps. The Clinchfield lettering on the cars is thoroughly researched and includes varying CAPY, Trust and COTS data across the different car numbers. And yes, the trucks have the individual car numbers properly stenciling on them, just like the real CRR cars. Are you ready for an accurate coal train? These Clinchfield models are available in 24 numbers with month specific build dates: SKUs -01 through -06 are 7-74. SKUs -07 through -12 are 8-74. SKUs -13 through -18 are 9-74. SKUs 19 through -24 are 10-74. SKU 32010
– Louisville and Nashville (LN) “Delivery Black 1978” shows us examples of the L&Ns H-8 class, with 450 cars delivered by Bethlehem across early 1978. By this delivery and era, the paint schemes were simplified, and these are among the first coal hoppers to wear the yellow block-style lettering. The models feature an accurate 1978 Bethlehem body including rounded top chord corner caps, paired lower posts at the side bolsters, and tiny accurate triangle supports on the bottom chord near the bolster posts. The B-end of the model features an accurate Ellcon National 1148 high handbrake, “modern” brake wheel and Morton-style brake step. Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) flood-style coal load. These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Brenco-3 caps. The L&N lettering on the cars includes varying CAPY, Paint and COTS data across the different car numbers. These cars are available in 24 numbers, perfect for building those coal trains right now on your layout. These L&N models are available with month specific build dates: SKUs -01 through -06 are 2-78. SKUs -07 through -18 are 3-78. SKUs -18 through -24 are 4-78. It’s time to haul coal. SKU 32011
– SBD / CSXT “Black Repaint 1987+” takes us back to early days of the CSX. In 1987, the ex-L&N South Louisville Car Shops were still in full swing, repainting cars. These repaints featured SBD reporting marks and the now-familiar CSX logo on the hopper car sides. This group of CSX repaints is pulled from ex-L&N Bethlehem cars built in 1976. The models feature an accurate body for this ex-L&N series, including rounded top chord corner caps, paired lower posts at the side bolsters, and tiny accurate triangle supports on the bottom chord near the bolster posts. The B-end of the model features an accurate Universal 7400 high handbrake, “modern” brake wheel and Morton-style brake step. Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) flood-style coal load. These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Timken caps. The CSX lettering on the cars is carefully replicated, and includes varying CAPY data, South Louisville paint codes and COTS data across the different car numbers. We see you, patient 1980s and 1990s modelers, and we are pleased to release these CSX repaints in 24 numbers. These models are available with month-specific repaint dates: SKUs -01 through -11 are 6-87. SKUs -12 through -21 are 5-87. SKUs -22 through -24 are 4-87. It’s time to haul coal. SKU 32012
– Wisconsin Central (WC) “Ex-CRR FH19 Patch 1992+ V1” illustrates some of the several-hundred ex-Clinchfield Bethlehem hopper cars WC acquired from the CSXT in 1992. These models feature a weathered-black body color along with various patches. This WC Version 1 group of cars features ex-Clinchfield lettered cars still in their original CRR number series, with black patches and white WC reporting marks. The models feature an accurate body for this ex-CRR FH19 series, including rounded top chord corner caps, paired lower posts at the side bolsters, and tiny accurate triangle supports on the bottom chord near the bolster posts. The B-end of the model features an accurate Universal 7400 high handbrake, “modern” brake wheel and Morton-style brake step. Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) flood-style coal load. These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Brenco-6 caps. We are pleased to offer 4 numbers in this WC scheme – and don’t forget that we have another WC scheme variant available. SKU 32013-01 through 32013-04
– Wisconsin Central (WC) “Ex-CRR FH19 Patch 1992+ V2” illustrates some of the several-hundred ex-Clinchfield Bethlehem hopper cars WC acquired from the CSXT in 1992. These models feature a weathered-black body color along with various patches. This WC Version 2 group of cars show off ex-Clinchfield cars that were patched and renumbered by CSX before being acquired by the WC. Notice how the first three full panels have been fully patched out, and large yellow WC reporting marks added above the CSX six-digit numbers. The models feature an accurate body for this ex-CRR FH19 series, including rounded top chord corner caps, paired lower posts at the side bolsters, and tiny accurate triangle supports on the bottom chord near the bolster posts. The B-end of the model features an accurate Universal 7400 high handbrake, “modern” brake wheel and Morton-style brake step. Inside, the models have a gorgeous (and removable!) flood-style coal load. These coal cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with separate truck brake beams and rotating Brenco-6 caps. We are pleased to offer 4 numbers in this WC scheme.
SKU 32013-05 through 32013-08
We also have four painted and unlettered RTR options available, continuing our dedication to the customers that want to finish their own cars. We have painted these models for you, so they are ready for decaling. We are modelers too, and we understand the need to continue to offer undecorated products.
– Unlettered RTR Black 1974 Body is a completely assembled RTR model, painted black and unlettered. It features the 1974 Bethlehem body and corner roping plates, Tipple-Style coal load, Equipco 3750 high handbrake and Morton-style brake step. This model includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels along with Genuine Kadee® scale couplers. Use this car for the following prototype series or your own road:
LN 193400-193999 1974 (SBD/CSXT 341532-342046)
LN 194000-194399 1974 (SBD/CSXT 342050-342412)
CRR 56700-56999 1974 (SBD/CSXT 342414-342702)
SKU 32005-01
– Unlettered RTR Black 1976-1978 Body is a completely assembled RTR model, painted black and unlettered. It features the 1976-78 Bethlehem body and corner roping plates, Flood-Style coal load, Ellcon National 1148 high handbrake and Morton-style brake step. This model includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels along with Genuine Kadee® scale couplers. Use this car for the following prototype series or your own road:
CRR 57000-57799 1976 (SBD/CSXT 342710-343491)
LN 196200-198799 1976-77 (SBD/CSXT 344894-347388)
LN 198800-199249 1978 (SBD/CSXT 347390-347826)
CRR 57800-57999 1978 (SBD/CSXT 347828-348026)
SKU 32006-01
– Unlettered RTR Black 1979 Body is a completely assembled RTR model, painted black and unlettered. It features the 1979 Bethlehem body and corner roping plates, Flood-Style coal load, Equipco 3750 high handbrake and Morton-style brake step. This model includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Brenco-3 caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels along with Genuine Kadee® scale couplers. Use this car for the following prototype series or your own road:
CRR 58000-58699 1979 (SBD/CSXT 348100-348710)
SCWX 101-254 1979
SKU 32007-01
– Unlettered RTR Black 1980 Body is a completely assembled RTR model, painted black and unlettered. It features the 1980 Bethlehem body and corner roping plates, Flood-Style coal load, Equipco 3750 high handbrake and Morton-style brake step. This model includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Brenco-3 caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels along with Genuine Kadee® scale couplers. Use this car for the following prototype series or your own road:
LN 550000-550999 1980 (SBD/CSXT 348738-349685)
SKU 32008-01
All of these models (with prototype Bethlehem coal hopper photos) can be seen at www.tangentscalemodels.com !
The Tangent Scale Models Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Our Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper system of models offers a multitude of detail variations and phases to replicate the many different Bethlehem Steel offerings. Example variations include: 1974, 1976-1978, 1979 and 1980 body assembly builds. This replica includes our fine “near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished scale metal grab irons, coupler lift bars, accompanying Kadee® scale couplers and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. At more than 120 parts per car, not to mention phase accurate details, genuine Kadee couplers, and all-metal wheels, we provide you with a high-value model that will provide you with years of enjoyment and curb-appeal.
These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of our Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper era and railroad-specific details and variations include:
• Dimensional accuracy – designed from Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper plans and verified with field measurements
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• Industry-leading “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
• Multiple Bethlehem 1974, 1976-1978, 1979 and 1980 bodies and assembly builds, with correct bolster post/detail variations, roping plate versions and top chord corner cap options
• Two coal load options: Flood vs. Tipple Style
• “See through” brake step platform
• Road-specific details for each scheme, including 7 brake wheel housing options, 2 ABD Valve options, 2 retainer valve mounting options and 2 different routing board options.
• Beautiful details including separately-applied scale wire grab irons and coupler lift bars – no “molded on” plastic grab irons or “thick” plastic grab iron parts anywhere on this replica!
• Separate flexible rubber air hoses
• CNC-machined 36” wheels with accurate front and back detail
• Our precision Tangent Scale Models 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps (four possible options!) and separate brake beam part (2 possible options!)
• Weighted to NMRA specifications – yes, even with the coal load removed!
• Recommended age 14 years and older
Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models Bethlehem Steel 3350cf Quad Coal Hopper, a first of its kind in HO scale! It is (was!) one of the most-requested HO freight cars in our line! Pricing for RTR models is $52.95, 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!