Tangent Scale Models is pleased to announce new paint schemes for our HO Scale General American 4180 “Airslide” covered hopper. First released by Tangent in 2015, our GATC 4180 Airslide covered hopper continues our long-standing focus on beautiful detailing, consistent colors and stenciling, and excellent operating abilities. When you factor in the quality of detailing and execution out of the box against your modeling time, Tangent provides a better value than train set alternatives that have fewer parts and missing stencil markings.
Our second production of General American 4180 covered hoppers includes the following 8 RTR paint schemes – plus undec RTR and undec kits so you can “build your own masterpiece.”
– ATSF “Original Gray 1978” in the gray scheme common to these cars, representing some of the later GATC production cars for ATSF with the large, spelled out “Santa Fe.” In addition to the larger lettering, our cars include all of the fine lettering the cars should have, just like the prototype. These beauties are available in four road numbers.
– BNSF “Buffer Car” #1 is BNSF road number #808032. It represents a BNSF GATC 4180 that has been changed from revenue service to buffer car service, restenciled by MEI (Metro East Industries in East St.Louis IL) in 2002. This car includes conspicuity stripes. It includes tons of fine stencil lettering, just like the lettering found on the real car. Did you notice the BNSF green patch out for the road number on the prototype car? Yup, we did that too. We also included the faded BNSF logo on the side of the car. But you know what the best part is? Look at the roof. We have included the gray anti-skid paint on the roof that helps a customer avoid slipping on the sloped roof pitch when stepping off of the roofwalk to open the hatches. This is the first of four road numbers available for BNSF, correctly detailed for the 1970s-built prototype this car represents. And don’t forget, crude oil and ethanol trains requiring buffer cars typically have one car on each end of the train! We offer two completely different buffer car models since no two are the same!
– BNSF “Buffer Car” #2 is BNSF road number #808128. It represents a BNSF GATC 4180 that has been changed from revenue service to buffer car service, restenciled by MEI (Metro East Industries in East St.Louis IL) in the year 2000. This car includes conspicuity stripes. It includes tons of fine stencil lettering, just like the lettering found on the real car, such as “BUFFER SVC ONLY DO NOT LOAD.” Like the other road numbers we offer, this car also includes the gray anti-skid paint on the roof that helps a customer avoid slipping on the sloped roof pitch when stepping off of the roofwalk to open the hatches. However, this gray paint pattern on the roof is different from the car above. This is the second of four BNSF buffer car service road numbers available for BNSF, correctly detailed for the 1970s-built prototype this car represents. And don’t forget, crude oil and ethanol trains requiring buffer cars typically have one car on each end of the train! We offer four completely different buffer car models since no two are the same!
– BNSF “Buffer Car” #3 is BNSF road number #808003. This one is a special one – there are a small few “bandits” in the buffer car pool and this car is one of them. It represents a former ATSF 4180 that has been changed from revenue service to buffer car service, but was not repainted, so it retains its original ATSF “Santa Fe” class GA-200 paint from 1978, but with patched reporting marks and number. Like the prototype, it also includes conspicuity stripes. It includes tons of fine stencil lettering, just like the lettering found on the real car, such as “BUFFER SERVICE ONLY DO NOT LOAD.” This is the third of four BNSF buffer car service road numbers available for BNSF, correctly detailed for the 1970s-built prototype this car represents. And don’t forget, crude oil and ethanol trains requiring buffer cars typically have one car on each end of the train! We offer four completely different buffer car models since no two are the same!
– BNSF “Buffer Car” #4 is BNSF road number #808157. It represents a BNSF GATC 4180 that has been changed from revenue service to buffer car service, restenciled by MEI (Metro East Industries in East St.Louis IL) in the year 1998. This car includes conspicuity stripes. It includes tons of fine stencil lettering, just like the lettering found on the real car, such as “BUFFER SVC ONLY DO NOT LOAD.” Like the other road numbers we offer, this car also includes the gray anti-skid paint on the roof that helps a customer avoid slipping on the sloped roof pitch when stepping off of the roofwalk to open the hatches. However, this gray paint pattern on the roof is different from the car above. This is the fourth of four BNSF buffer car service road numbers available for BNSF, correctly detailed for the 1970s-built prototype this car represents. And don’t forget, crude oil and ethanol trains requiring buffer cars typically have one car on each end of the train! We offer four completely different buffer car models since no two are the same!
– C&O Chessie “Original Yellow 1973” represents an original GATX-painted Chessie car as delivered to C&O in 1973. This car includes a beautifully-rendered Chessie car with fine detail – check out the fine cat stenciling. And like the real cars, these cars come with dark blue underframes and trucks. This replica represents the third of four orders from C&O for 4180 airslides, but is the first order delivered in Chessie livery. These Tangent federal yellow stunners are available in 4 road numbers.
– GACX “Brach’s Candy 1974” is the second private operator scheme offered in this production. It represents a fairly common GACX scheme for cars in sugar service for Brach’s candy. These cars are stunners in their alternating red shades with white lettering. These cars are available in two road numbers.
– GACX “Westvaco Carbon 1980” is the first of two private operator schemes offered in this production. It represents one of the GATC 4180s that was assigned to carbon black service, in this case Westvaco Carbon, advertising its “Nuchar activated carbon” product which is stenciled accurately in light blue on the car side. It is a somewhat unique repaint from the GATC shops, and like the prototype it rides on ASF 70-ton ride control plain bearing trucks, which we include for that little bit of accuracy you find on Tangent products. This scheme is available in one road number.
– Undecorated RTR Primer Gray in three versions: 1965-1966, 1967-1969, 1970-1980
– Unpainted Kit in three versions: 1965-1966, 1967-1969, 1970-1980
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The Tangent Scale Models GATC 4180s are shipping now. Features for our replicas include:
– Dimensional accuracy – designed from actual 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
– A series of various spotting variations that replicate cars from General American’s prolific 1965-1980 production period, including different roofs, running boards, body side post (“rib”) profiles, high and low brake arrangements on the B end, different ladder and grab iron arrangements, with or without crossover platforms and handrails, etc. Sell off the toy trains and save your time – we do freight cars right.
– Lacy details installed and painted – wire grab irons and coupler lift bars
– Separate air hoses
– CNC-machined 36” 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 4180 Airslide covered hopper, one of the most sought-after freight cars from the turbulent 1960s-1970s period, done right with phase variations! 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!
Shipping today! Click here to learn more and order!
David Lehlbach