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!
Tangent Scale Models announces the availability today of our latest all-new HO Scale model: The Pullman-Standard PS-2 2929CuFt Covered 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.
In the early 1960s, railcar builders experimented with new covered hopper designs to help railroads move away from generic forty-foot box cars to special-duty bulk transport railcars. Pullman created the “PS-2” series of covered hoppers which included more than 20 individual designs, some of which were “generic” hoppers for grains, while others were more specialized. Possibly the best example of a specialized design was the PS-2 2929, which was designed specifically for phosphates from the Southeast. Similar to the PS-2 2893, the “three bay” 2929 looks different for several reasons, including having side posts consistently applied along the entire car side. The 2929 design had three primary design iterations with a total of more than 4,000 cars produced. The Tangent models replicate the high-brakewheel, 100-Ton cars produced for ACL, CRR, L&N, and NS in the 1963-1966 period.
Our February 2025 debut of the Pullman-Standard PS-2 2929CuFt Covered Hopper includes six railroad schemes, plus four RTR undecorated kit options.
– Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) “Delivery Beige 8-1965” replicates ACL’s large 800-car order of Pullman-Standard Covered Hoppers, delivered in 1965. The Tangent model replicates the delivery “beige” scheme. The ACL letters are big and bold across the car side, and every piece of data is carefully replicated, something you have come to expect with Tangent. The models feature a see-through Apex-style running board (straight and flat!), evenly-spaced round roof hatches, body-mounted brake gear and Wine gravity outlet gates. All of these features match the prototype ACL cars. If you look even closer, the model also replicates additional ACL-specific details like the carbody side trust plates, the brake badge plate on the B-End and accurate ACL 100-Ton trucks with the retaining bolts detail. The B-end of the car features all of the brake details and piping of the prototype, including a gorgeous Ajax brake stand, modern brake wheel, Morton-style brake step, high-mounted retainer valve, wire piping details and a finely executed air release rod poking through the bottom sill on each side of the carbody. Metal corner stirrup steps and flexible rubber air hoses on each end of the car provide durability. These sharp Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) models are available in 12 numbers with August 1965 specific build dates. SKU 35160
– CSX “Repaint 1989” shows off the very common and consistent CSX repaints from the 1989-era, and takes us all back to the early days of CSX freight car repaints. This group of PS 2929 cars is pulled from the ex-ACL series and features record-specific CSX Raceland Shops repaint dates and data. The models feature correct ex-ACL roof details like a see-through Apex-style running board and evenly-spaced round roof hatches. In this era, the retainer valve has been moved to a lower location, a feature carefully duplicated on the models. The gravity outlet gates are specific for CSX and are a replacement style with locking bar mechanisms. The prototype CSX repaints maintained the distinctive ex-ACL 100-Ton trucks with the retaining bolts detail. The B-end of the car features all of the brake details and piping of the prototype, including a gorgeous Ajax brake stand, modern brake wheel, Morton-style brake step, wire piping details and a finely executed air release rod poking through the bottom sill on each side of the carbody. Metal corner stirrup steps and flexible rubber air hoses on each end of the car provide durability. These cars are available in 12 numbers, with four possible months of repaint dates:
- 2 from February 1989 (SKUs -03, -06)
- 4 from March 1989 (SKUs -04, -05, -08, -09)
- 4 from April 1989 (SKUs -02, -07, -11, -12)
- 2 from May 1989 (SKUs -01, -10)
It’s time to haul phosphate! SKU 35161
– Louisville & Nashville (L&N) “Delivery Gray 10-1963” shows us the earliest Pullman-delivered PS-2 2929s in original gray paint. The L&N graphics are carefully duplicated on the car, from the slanted “L&N” reporting marks and three-inch “Roman” style capacity data, down to the one-inch Pullman data. These L&N cars differ from the other 2929s that we offer because they have 5 pairs of roof hatches with staggered spacing, as opposed to the “standard” evenly-spaced hatches common to the other 2929s of the era. But don’t worry — we have tooled this L&N-specific roof to execute this model correctly. And if you look closely at the prototype and model photos, you will see we didn’t stop there. The L&N 2929 LOs also feature truck-mounted brake gear. This translates to the B-end missing the brake cylinder (instead there are small brake cylinders on each truck brake beam) and a fine brake air line visible, hanging down from the underframe between the bays (instead of pipe linkage and the automatic slack adjuster). The B-end of the car has more L&N-specific details like a beautiful Klasing 1700 power brake, separate short handle, modern brake wheel, Cobra brake shoe holder and a small brake badge above the defect card holder. This L&N replica rides on 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with Timken rotating bearing caps and the three bays are equipped with Enterprise discharge gates. Metal corner stirrup steps and flexible rubber air hoses on each end of the car provide durability. These models are available with October 1963-specific paint dates. Commodities carried included feed and cement. It isn’t often that you get an L&N-specific railcar. SKU 35162
– Norfolk Southern (“Original” NS) “Delivery Gray 1-1966” illustrates the NS order for 100 PS-2 2929CuFt covered hoppers, delivered in the railroad’s classy Norfolk Southern stenciling, including the large and eye-catching red-painted “N”. The models feature a see-through Morton-style running board with its distinctive side uni-wing flange, evenly-spaced round roof hatches, body-mounted brake gear and gravity outlet gates. The B-end of the car features all of the brake details and piping of the prototype, including a gorgeous Ajax brake stand, modern brake wheel, Morton-style brake step, high-mounted retainer valve, wire piping details and a finely executed air release rod poking through the bottom sill on each side of the carbody. Metal corner stirrup steps and flexible rubber air hoses on each end of the car provide durability. The model rides on 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with Timken rotating bearing caps. We are pleased to offer these classy Norfolk Southern cars in 12 numbers from January 1966. Also, this is the first time Tangent has released a railcar in original Norfolk Southern paint! SKU 35163
– USEX “Texas Industries 1980” illustrates a beautiful orange repaint, private operator paint scheme that was so commonly seen in the 1980s! These former Norfolk Southern cars were financed originally through United States Railway Equipment/Evans. These USEX cars were reconditioned and repainted at the Evans Railcar facility in Ozark, Alabama in July 1980. They received large side placards for the TXI logo and company name. They were assigned to the Texas Industries, Inc. cement plant in Artesia, Mississippi. Since this group of cars have Norfolk Southern heritage, they feature NS details like a see-through Morton-style running board with its distinctive side uni-wing flange, evenly-spaced round roof hatches, body-mounted brake gear and gravity outlet gates. The B-end of the car features all of the brake details and piping of the prototype, including a gorgeous Ajax brake stand, modern brake wheel, Morton-style brake step, high-mounted retainer valve, wire piping details and a finely executed air release rod poking through the bottom sill on each side of the carbody. Metal corner stirrup steps and flexible rubber air hoses on each end of the car provide durability. The model rides on 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with Timken rotating bearing caps. We are pleased to offer 6 numbers in this Texas Industries scheme. SKU 35164
– TRLX “Ex-USRE Texas Industries Restencil 1993+” illustrates a restenciled version of the Texas Industries car we are offering concurrently. These former USRE/Texas Industries Inc. cars were purchased by Texas Railcar Leasing and show their appearance from 1993+ after being restenciled with fresh reporting marks. The Tangent models wear a faded version of the original orange paint, along with fresh patches and stencils for their new owners. Since this group of cars have Norfolk Southern heritage, they feature NS details like a see-through Morton-style running board with its distinctive side uni-wing flange, evenly-spaced round roof hatches, body-mounted brake gear and gravity outlet gates. The B-end of the car features all of the brake details and piping of the prototype, including a gorgeous Ajax brake stand, modern brake wheel, Morton-style brake step, high-mounted retainer valve, wire piping details and a finely executed air release rod poking through the bottom sill on each side of the carbody. Metal corner stirrup steps and flexible rubber air hoses on each end of the car provide durability. The model rides on 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with Timken rotating bearing caps. We are pleased to offer 3 road numbers in this restencil scheme, providing a neat car option for our 1990s and 2000s customers. Each of the three SKUs is photo-specific with paint-out patches applied based on the photos. SKU 35165
We also have four “bare plastic” kit options available, continuing our dedication to the customers that want to build their own kits! We are modelers too, and we understand the need to continue to offer undecorated products, but please support our kit offerings – we have had significantly-reduced kit demand as of late.
– Unlettered Kit ACL Version is a completely unassembled and unpainted KIT. It features the PS 2929 body and evenly-spaced roof hatches with Apex walkway, Ajax Handbrake and body-mounted brake details. This kit includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with retaining bolts and CNC-machined 36” wheels. You supply your own favorite couplers. Use this kit for ACL 120000-120799 (later SCL 420000-420799, SBD 220970-221769, CSXT 220970-221769). – SKU 35150-01
– Unlettered Kit CRR Version is a completely unassembled and unpainted KIT. It features the PS 2929 body and evenly-spaced roof hatches with Apex walkway, Klasing 1150 handbrake and body-mounted 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. Use this kit for CRR 60500-60539 (later SBD 220830-220869, CSXT 220830-220869). – SKU 35151-01
– Unlettered Kit L&N Version is a completely unassembled and unpainted KIT. It features the PS 2929 body and staggered roof hatches with Apex walkway, Klasing 1700 handbrake and truck-mounted 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. Use this kit for LN 38750-38849 (later SBD 220720-220796, CSXT 220720-220796). – SKU 35152-01
– Unlettered Kit NS-USEX Version is a completely unassembled and unpainted KIT. It features the PS 2929 body and evenly-spaced roof hatches with Morton walkway, Ajax handbrake, body-mounted brake details, and TXI placards. 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. Use this kit for NS 5000-5099 (later USEX 5000-5099, TRLX 52XX-53XX series). – SKU 35153-01
Additionally, we are pleased to release an all-new truck today – the Barber 100-ton S-2 truck w/Retaining Bolts with 36-inch wheels. (As seen on many 100-ton ACL, SCL, SBD, CSXT applications). These HO trucks do not have rotating caps, because of the retaining bolt design. These trucks are offered in 3 different wheel configurations:
TSM-2046 – Barber 100-ton S-2 truck w/Retaining Bolts with 36 inch standard tread .110 blackened wheels.
TSM-2047 – Barber 100-ton S-2 truck w/Retaining Bolts with 36 inch semi-scale .088 blackened wheels.
TSM-2048 – Barber 100-ton S-2 truck w/Retaining Bolts with 36 inch semi-scale .088 nickel plated wheels.
Finally, we are releasing new “Unique and Useful” parts that are tied to this PS-2 2929 project.
TSM-1202 – USDOT Safety placard holder parts. The package includes 6 end mount + 6 side mount placards.
TSM-1205 – Pullman Standard Roof Hatches – Late Style (12 hatches). This package includes the late style hatches found on these PS2929 and other Pullman-Standard covered hoppers – a part that has been requested for years!
The Tangent Scale Models Pullman-Standard PS-2 2929 Covered Hopper is a dimensionally-accurate replica and provides continuity with our other Pullman-Standard covered hoppers, including model design, scheme colors, and stenciling. Our model includes key build variations: roof design, discharge gates, hand brakes, brake systems, running boards, and trucks. This replica includes our “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished with coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee® scale couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.
These new freight cars are shipping today! A quick synopsis of our Pullman-Standard PS-2 2929 Covered Hopper era and railroad-specific details and variations include:
- Dimensional accuracy – designed from actual Pullman-Standard PS-2 2929 Covered Hopper plans
- 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
- Two different possible roof configurations
- Multiple discharge gates
- “See through” Apex or Morton running boards and Morton brake step platform
- Road-specific details for each scheme, including 3 brake wheel housing options, 2 brake cylinder options, 2 retainer valve mounting options and multiple B-End bolster web plate detail 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!
- Brass corner steps
- 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!) OR our all-new Tangent Scale Models 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with Retaining Bolts.
- Weighted to NMRA specifications
- Recommended age 14 years and older
Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models Pullman-Standard PS-2 2929 Covered 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 $60.95, with quantity discounts for direct purchases from Tangent Scale Models.
Please click on the images at right for pricing, SKUs, high resolution photos, prototype photos, car number options, and/or to order!
