Please click on the images at right for pricing, SKUs, high resolution photos, prototype photos, car number options, and/or to order these HO scale replicas!
It’s time for a newly-tooled Covered Hopper! That’s right! Tangent Scale Models announces the availability today of a brand-new body in our PS4750 System – the N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 4750 Covered Hopper, our new product release for August 2025!
Just eight months after Pullman-Standard released the groundbreaking 4750cf covered hopper, in February 1973 Norfolk and Western Railroad (N&W) produced the first prototype for their own “home shops” fleet of this in-demand railcar. N&W’s Roanoke Shops, based in Roanoke, Virginia, produced many freight cars over the years, notably the majority of N&W’s large fleet of coal hoppers. Roanoke Shops also constructed 1,500 of these 4750 covered hoppers in the HC-71 class, designed to handle grains, fertilizers, lime, and other bulk commodity needs. These covered hoppers still operate on Norfolk Southern in both original and repaint paint schemes, while at the same time some cars have been sold to other operators.
Our August 2025 production includes five total schemes, with eras spanning 1973 to today, plus two Undecorated RTR options.
– NW “Delivery HC-71 1973”shows off the classic NW delivery gray paint. Roanoke built this group of 1000 cars across 1973-1974. The car numbers are selected from August and September 1973 Roanoke production, with ribbed roof hatches and Keystone Portloc outlet gates. It’s hard to understate the importance of these cars for modelers of the last 50+ years. Check out that Roanoke-style 4750 body construction, including two vertical rows of huck bolts on the car sides, wider post flanges and slot-style jacking pads above the bolsters. The shaker brackets on the bays are mounted higher than their Pullman Standard-built peers. Yes, we tooled an all-new body to cover these details and more! The paint details stand out, with the classic yellow N&W return route box under the “Grain Loading Only” lettering. The centersill of the car even features the tiny car number and Roanoke paint code stencil! We duplicated the slight spacing variations on the one-inch CLOSE HIOPPER SLIDES stencils across these car numbers. Eagle-eyed modelers will notice the Tangent model’s A-B-C bay stencils are accurately applied with the “C” bay at the B-end of the car. This was just the N&W’s way of doing things. (Pullman typically labeled the “B” Bay to the B end of their cars!) The car sides have an ACI label mounted on a raised plate, matching the prototype. The accurate 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks feature tiny N&W-applied T-188 truck class stencils, rotating Brenco-6 caps and 36” all-metal wheels. We are proud to offer these NW replicas in 12 road numbers: SKUs -01 through -08 feature 8-1973 build dates while SKUs -09 through -12 have 9-1973 build dates. SKU 36220
– NW “Delivery HC-71 1979” duplicates the second Roanoke delivery of 500 HC-71 cars from 1979. This group of cars is visually different from their 1973-74 peers. These 1979 cars are equipped with accurate smooth-style roof hatch and larger open-circle jacking pads above the bolsters. For this production, we chose cars built in November and December of 1979. That distinctive Roanoke body really stands out, with the two vertical rows of huck bolts on the car sides. If you look closely at the ends, you will see the Roanoke-style weldments on the end vertical end sheet behind the end running board supports, straight brake cylinder lever behind the brake wheel and welded sill extensions. These are just a few of the details that make a Roanoke 4750 different from their Pullman Standard brothers. The lettering on this group of cars reflects its 1979 era. The COTS boxes are double style, and the carbody clearly does not include an ACI label. All of those gorgeous NW stencils are carefully recreated, from the large NW logo down to the one-inch Roanoke paint codes. The accurate 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks feature tiny N&W-applied T-219 truck class stencils, rotating Brenco-3 caps and 36” all-metal wheels. We are proud to offer these NW replicas in 12 road numbers: SKUs -01 through -06 feature 11-1979 build dates while SKUs -07 through -12 have 12-1979 build dates. Even the outlet gates are car-number specific! SKUs -01 through -08 feature Miner Selflok outlet gates while SKUs -09 through -12 have Keystone Portloc gates. Tangent is all about the little details! SKU 36221
– NW “Claytor Repaint HC-71” 1986+ brings the mid-1980s into focus for early NS Corporation-era modelers. These car numbers are chosen from the pool of NW’s HC-71 1986 Roanoke Shops repaints in the then-current “Claytor” freight car lettering scheme. Gone is the large block-style NW and replacing it is a bold, condensed NORFOLK AND WESTERN across the car side. This is a very important scheme for NW/NS modelers, as it is often overlooked in model offerings. The models wear a slightly lighter gray for the Claytor scheme. Each Tangent car number is carefully matched to prototype photos and features accurate CAPY, COTS, truck class and end data for these 1973/1974 Roanoke-built cars. Yes, every car is different. All of the car numbers feature a smooth-style replacement roof hatch and Keystone Portloc outlet gates. Those Roanoke details are all there, from the huck bolts on the side posts to the distinctive square-style routing card placard above the left bolster. We have even applied Stucki HS-7 snubbers on the 100-Ton trucks, based on individual car numbers – SKUs -02 through -04 have the Stucki snubbers while SKUs -01, -05 through -12 do not. The accurate100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks feature rotating Timken caps and 36” all-metal wheels. We are proud to offer these NW Claytor repaints in 12 road numbers. What a hot scheme! SKU 36222
– NS “NW HC-71” 1989+ offers a full NS repaint scheme, first showing up on the rails in 1989. While the individual NW reporting marks were maintained, repaints from this era featured the Norfolk Southern Railway logo. The models wear NS light gray and feature a smooth-style replacement roof hatch, slotted jacking pads above the bolsters and Keystone Portloc outlet gates. Each Tangent car number is carefully matched to prototype photos and features accurate CAPY, Instruction side lettering, COTS, truck class and end data for these 1973/1974 Roanoke-built cars. Yes, every car is different. We have even applied Stucki HS-7 snubbers on the 100-Ton trucks, based on individual car numbers – SKU -09 has the Stucki snubbers while SKUs -01 through -08 and -10 through -12 do not. The accurate100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks feature rotating Timken caps and 36” all-metal wheels. We are proud to offer these NS NW HC-71 repaints in 12 road numbers. A beautiful paint scheme! SKU 36223
– NS “Conspicuity HC-71” 2005+ offers the contemporary modelers a beautiful repaint option. These car numbers are pulled from 1992-era full NS repaints (now with NS, not NW, reporting marks). The application of the yellow conspicuity stripes brings the cars forward into the 2005+ era. The models wear NS light gray and feature a smooth-style replacement roof hatch and Keystone Portloc outlet gates. The accurate100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks feature Stucki HS-7 snubbers, rotating Timken caps and 36” all-metal wheels. Those Roanoke body details are all there, from the huck bolts on the side posts to the higher mounting location of the shaker brackets on the bays. Each Tangent car number is matched to prototype photos and features accurate NS Logo placement, CAPY, Instruction side lettering, COTS, truck class, and conspicuity stripes for these Roanoke-built cars. Yes, every car is different. That means that the jacking pads over the bolsters change as well – the 1973/74 built cars have the slotted style (SKUs -01 through -04) and the 1979 built repaints has the large circle style jacking pads (SKUs -05 through -08) If you look closely, you will see each model has a frame mounted AEI tag as well, correct for the era! This NS Repaint scheme in the 2005+ Era is available in 8 accurate numbers. What a variety of details for each car number! SKU 36224
– Undecorated RTR Unpainted Version 1 NW 1973-1974 HC-71 continues our dedication to the modelers. We get it—sometimes you just want to paint your own car. We are modelers too, and we understand the need to continue to offer undecorated products without drama. This car is completely assembled and unpainted! It is based on the 1973/1974 HC-71 Roanoke group with ribbed roof hatches, slotted hole jacking pads above the bolsters, Ajax hand brake, Morton-style roof walkways and Keystone Portloc outlet gates. The model rides on Tangent’s unmatched 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks with rotating Brenco-6 caps and 36” all-metal wheels. This model is ready for painting and lettering in an NW/NS prototype scheme or your own private road. SKU 36210-01
– Undecorated RTR Unpainted Version 2 NW 1979-1980 HC-71 continues our dedication to the modelers. We get it—sometimes you just want to paint your own car. We are modelers too, and we understand the need to continue to offer undecorated products without drama. This car is completely assembled and unpainted! It is based on the 1979-1980 HC-71 Roanoke group with smooth roof hatches, large hole jacking pads above the bolsters, Ajax hand brake, Morton-style roof walkways and Keystone Portloc outlet gates. The model rides on Tangent’s unmatched 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks with rotating Brenco-3 caps and 36” all-metal wheels. This model is ready for painting and lettering in an NW/NS prototype scheme or your own private road. SKU 36211-01
We are also pleased to add another brand-new truck to our product line:
– 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Truck with Stucki HS-7 Snubbers
Each pair of trucks includes separately installed brake beams, rotating Timken bearing caps and the distinctive Stucki HS-7 Snubber detail in the center spring package area.
- SKU 2051 with 36” all metal blackened normal tread wheels. (RP-25 .110”)
- SKU 2052 with 36” all metal blackened semi-scale tread wheels. (.088”)
- SKU 2053 with 36” all metal nickel plated semi-scale tread wheels. (.088”)
And for you 1990+ “modern” guys, we are pleased to expand our Unique and Useful Parts Product Line:
– Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) Tags
Each package includes: 2 pairs of five different mounting styles of AEI tags, as used on our various PS, Trinity and Roanoke 4750 Covered Hoppers and of course other prototype freight cars as well! Railroads tested prototype AEI tags between 1990 and 1994 and they became mandatory on the North American railcar fleet in 1995. Enough AEI tags for 10 cars in each package, including direct side mount, angle mount and bracket mount varieties! SKU 1206
All of these models, trucks, and parts can be seen at www.tangentscalemodels.com !
The Tangent N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 Class 4750cf Covered Hopper is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Our Roanoke 4750 model replicates the prototype’s unique features including the distinctive vertical huck bolt rows on the carbody sides, welded sill extensions, and high shaker bracket locations. The models also include variations in jacking pads, outlet gates, roof hatches, and brake parts. Our replicas include our fine “near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished with coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee® scale couplers and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. At more than 100 parts per car, not to mention phase accurate details, genuine Kadee couplers, and all-metal wheels, we provide you with a high-value-for-your-dollar model that will provide you with years of enjoyment and curb-appeal.
These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of our N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 Class 4750 scale replicas include:
• Dimensional accuracy – designed from N&W/Pullman-Standard plans and verified with field measurements
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme
• Road-specific details for each scheme
• “See through” etched metal running boards and crossover platforms
• N&W Roanoke side and end carbody details, including distinctive side post huck bolt rows
• Accurate N&W Roanoke brake layout configuration
• Brakewheel housing and clevis options
• Outlet gates
• Original + replacement style roof hatch parts
• New jacking pad varieties covering N&W specific Roanoke production from 1973-1979
• 5 different AEI tags covering different applications
• Beautiful details – wire grab irons and coupler lift bars – no “molded in” plastic grab irons here!
• Separate air hoses
• 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!)
• SKU-specific Stucki HS-7 Snubber option applied as needed on Tangent’s Barber S-2 trucks
• CNC-machined 36” wheels
• Genuine Kadee® scale couplers
• Recommended age 14 years and older
Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 4750 Covered Hopper, a unique N&W prototype model needed for many modelers!
Please click on the images at right for pricing, SKUs, high resolution photos, prototype photos, car number options, and/or to order!
