Asheville, North Carolina: Tangent Scale Models announces the availability today of our latest all-new HO Scale model system: The General American 4500 Covered Hopper. Never-before available in plastic, we are pleased to bring you this highly-relevant – and needed – prototype in HO Scale.
No preorders. No waiting. These cars are available right now.
During the 1960s, railcar builders experimented with new covered hopper designs to satisfy the evolving needs of shippers as they moved away from forty-foot box cars to bulk transport railcars. During the 1963-1966 period, General American Transportation Corporation (GATC) produced its first “grain hopper” design as a 4500 cubic foot capacity prototype, selling more than 1,200 cars to a variety of railroads and lessors. The design had two distinct exterior appearances, with either 13 or 15 exterior side posts. The 4500 had a sister car design, of 4700 cubic feet, which looked similar because it had the same side post variations, however it utilized a 5-inch taller design.
The Tangent Scale Models GA 4500 covered hopper system is a dimensionally-accurate replica of the real car, designed from actual blueprints and field measurements. Our system includes key build variations for the 4500 cubic foot design: body side post designs, running boards, roofs, roof hatches, discharge gates, high or low handbrake mounting and appliance options, and body or truck mounted brakes. This replica includes our “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail. This GATC hopper rides on Tangent’s precision 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps and separate brake beam part. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished with real metal grab irons, coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee® scale couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.
Our February 2023 debut includes four railroad schemes, plus three undecorated kit options.
– ATSF “Quality Repaint 1991” is a great example of a later-era GATC 4500. The ATSF refurbished their GATC 4500s in the early 1980s and removed the distinctive General American rooftop ribs. We have carefully duplicated this rebuilt roof with this offering, including an accurate Morton style running board with that distinctive Uni-wing flange. We didn’t stop there. Along with its roof changes, the car lost its original frame-style Wine outlet gates. If you look carefully, you will notice the updated, accurate Miner outlet gates with “Selflok” mechanisms on the model. The ATSF’s prototype GATC cars featured a 13-post body, body-mounted brake hardware and linkage below the underframe, all features that are present on this Tangent replica. The B-end has as accurate Klasing 1150 hand brake, modern brake wheel, Moton brake step and lowered retainer valve. Check out those gorgeous 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with proper body-style brake beam and rotating Timken caps! The Santa Fe GA-159 covered hopper is painted in Topeka Shops-applied oxide red with “Quality” logo graphics for the 1991+ era. This modern example of Santa Fe railroading is available in 6 numbers! SKU 28010
– CB&Q “Delivery Gray 1-1965” replicates the CB&Q’s second order of cars from General American. These 400 cars were delivered in the Q’s classic covered hopper gray with Chinese Red graphics and featured a herald applied to a stand-off plate across the ribs. One of the neat details of this scheme is the large General American triangle logo painted on the far left of the body, carefully duplicated on the Tangent model with the correct red background specific to the CB&Q. Of course, those black bays and underframe are a classy touch. The Q’s cars were built with the 15-post body style with an Apex walkway and a high-mount retainer on the B-End. The prototype’s truck-mounted brake gear translates to little things on the model like a “missing” brake cylinder on the B-End. The 4 individual brake cylinders are actually mounted on the truck brake beams, duplicated on the 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks! Take your time and enjoy the Wine outlet gates and their distinctive frame mounting plus accurate gear housing mechanism on the one side. The CB&Q was one of the largest owners of the GATC 4500, and these cars lasted in CB&Q paint into the 1990s! This all-new Tangent model is available in 12 numbers! SKU 28011
– CGW “Delivery Gray 9-1966” shows off the “Lucky Strike” paint scheme that has made the CGW one of our most popular roadnames. The Chicago Great Western took delivery of 50 cars from GATC and they featured the 13-post body along with an Apex walkway. The ends of the CGW replicas have the correct long grab irons on the right side, body mounted brake details, a Morton brake step and a low-mounted retainer valve. Check out that beautiful Equipco power brake behind the modern brake wheel! Underneath the car, you can spot the Miner outlet gates with support brackets and underframe brake linkage. The Tangent model is equipped with 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks and proper Brenco-6 style rotating caps! The CGW GATC 4500 prototypes lasted into the CNW and the UP eras, where these cars were used with their larger covered hopper fleets. We proudly offer these CGW replicas in 12 road numbers. SKU 28012
– CRDX “ADM Blue Lease 9-1966” is one of those schemes that defines the word “sharp.” ADM leased these cars from Chicago Freight Car Leasing Company (CRDX) and they were painted in a wonderful ADM dark blue with white graphics. These models duplicate the CRDX prototypes with Morton roof walkways and body mounted brake gear. Look closely at the bays, and you will notice the distinctive Wine “Combo” style outlet gates that allowed for either normal gravity unloading or low pressure air-assisted pneumatic unloading depending on the commodity. The B-end features an accurate Morton brake step and Ajax power brake. The low retainer valve is mounted near the air reservoir, just like the prototype. The black 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks have accurate rotating Timken bearing caps. This scheme is available in 6 numbers. SKU 28013
We also have several undecorated kit options available, continuing our dedication to the modelers. We get it—sometimes you just want to build and paint your own car. We are modelers too, and we understand the need to continue to offer undecorated products without drama.
– Undecorated KIT – ATSF, CGW, CRDX Version is a completely unassembled and unpainted kit. It is based on the GATC 13-post body with body-mounted brake details and is appropriate for the ATSF, CGW and CRDX prototypes. Multiple parts options are included to handle roof walkways, outlet gates and power brake details. This kit includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 28000-01
– Undecorated KIT – CB&Q, C&S, FW&D Version is a completely unassembled and unpainted kit. It is based on the GATC 15-post body with truck-mounted brake details and is appropriate for the CB&Q, C&S and FW&D prototypes. The kit comes with GATC as-delivered details including an Apex roof walkway, Wine outlet gates and an Ajax power brake. This kit includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 28001-01
– Undecorated KIT – EL, GN, N&W Version is a completely unassembled and unpainted kit. It is based on the GATC 15-post body with body-mounted brake details and is appropriate for the EL, GN and N&W prototypes. The kit comes with GATC as-delivered details including an Apex roof walkway, Wine outlet gates and an Ajax power brake. This kit includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 28002-01
– Pigeons – 24 Unpainted Pieces is without a doubt one of the most important additions to the Tangent “Unique & Useful Parts” line in a generation. Yes, it ranks up there with Freight car retainers (TSM 1201) and Firecracker antennas (TSM 1301). This package contains 24 tiny HO unpainted plastic pigeons in 3 different poses. They are the perfect finishing touch for the roofs of all your Tangent freight car projects. SKU 211
All of these models (with prototype GATC photos) can be seen at www.tangentscalemodels.com !
The Tangent Scale Models GA 4500 covered hopper system is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Our GATC 4500 system of models offers a multitude of detail variations and phases to replicate the many different GATC 4500 offerings. Example variations include: 13-post or 15-post body shells, original and rebuilt roof options, body-mount or truck-mount brake systems, multiple prototype outlet gates and Apex and Morton roof walkways. 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 150 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 GATC 4500 era and railroad-specific details and variations include:
• Dimensional accuracy – designed from General American 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
• Signature GATC ribbed roof with both upper and lower flange roof edge fastener detail
• Six-panel GATC roof hatch with separately applied metal hand grabs and locking knobs.
• “See through” running boards and crossover platforms (in both Apex and Morton Uni-wing combinations)
• Road-specific details for each scheme, including 2 different brake systems, 6 different outlet gates, 2 different running board and brake step platform options, end ladder options, 12 brakewheel housing and clevis 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!
• Metal corner stirrup steps
• Separate flexible rubber air hoses
• CNC-machined 36” wheels
• 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!)
• Recommended age 14 years and older
Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models GATC 4500, one of the most-requested HO freight cars from the 1960s-2010s period! Pricing for RTR models is $56.95, with quantity discounts for direct purchases from Tangent Scale Models.