Asheville, North Carolina: It’s time for new PS4750 Covered Hoppers! But not just any ordinary PS4750! Nope, Tangent Scale Models announces the availability today of brand new PS4750 tooling that covers some of the unique details of 1980-1981 production cars! This September 2025 release is sure to be a hot seller, hitting on many requested paint schemes!
The Pullman-Standard PS-2CD 4750 covered hopper was the largest production covered hopper design in history, and is therefore statistically important to virtually any modeler from the 1970s to the present. Tangent Scale Models continues the evolution of our “phased approach” PS4750 models, not “one-size fits all” models. This release reintroduces our body variations from 1980-1981 production, which include both open-hole and closed-hole side posts, both large and small jacking pad tabs at the bolsters, and other production trends and car details, including brake systems.
Our September 2025 production includes twelve (12!) total schemes, with eras spanning 1980 to today, plus three all-new, never offered before, Undecorated RTR options.
– CNW “Delivery Green” 3-1981 gives the patient C&NW modelers, who want their “large jacking pad cars,” some Tangent Love. (Yes, the world does need more accurate C&NW covered hoppers!) C&NW rostered several late groups of Pullman 4750s, and we chose the 800-car order from lot 1164 for this release. This all-new Tangent 4750 body shell features Pullman 1981 details like the thick sill protrusion over the bolsters, “closed-hole” side posts, bolted outlet bay flanges and C&NW-specific vertical extensions under the jacking pads and above the trucks. This is group of cars have been requested by C&NW fans since we introduced our Pullman 4750 in 2013, and we wanted to do it right – and that means all-new body tooling! You will notice the differing yellows on the side reporting marks versus the small data. This mimics the prototype. Check out those new Stucki HS-7 Snubber-equipped 100-ton trucks! That yellow-painted snubber detail is a neat highlight. We chose C&NW numbers from the March 1981 group of cars, with SKUs -01 through -12 equipped with Gravac Combo Gravity/Pneumatic outlet gates, and SKUs 13-24 featuring Miner gravity outlet gates. Yes, we are offering 24 numbers of C&NW Covered Hopper nirvana. Stay away from foobie 4750s! Sorry if this release “drains you.” SKU 36360
– AOK “ex-CNW Restencil” 2006+ continues our tradition of gorgeous modern paint patches and restencils. These ex-C&NW cars are examples whose car lease was not renewed by UP, obtained by Greenbrier Leasing, and leased back to various railroads with AOK (Arkansas & Oklahoma Railroad) reporting marks. We chose three different prototype cars from the C&NW’s March 1981 build group. These cars feature all that wonderful C&NW-specific detailing, along with Gravac Combo outlet gates. The models are painted in a more “faded” version of the C&NW green have gray roof hatches and “weathered metal” running boards where the green paint has long since worn off. Each one of the cars follows photo-specific lettering placement, so the patches and AOK restencils differ on each SKU. Little details pop on these AOK cars: Notice the Stucki snubbers are gone from the 100-ton trucks by 2006, AEI tags are mounted on each car (2 different styles of tags for AOK!), AOK reporting marks and car numbers on the trucks, and YES each car number has its own version of faded and peeling C&NW logos. Wow! These stunners are now available in 3 road numbers. SKU 36361
– CFWR “ex-CNW Restencil” 2021+ shows off another contemporary patch, this time for the Caney Fork & Western Railroad. The prototype subjects from 2021 are pulled from the C&NW 1981-built lot and have been passed down in a game of railcar-leasing “hot potato.” For the model, that translates to detail changes and multiple layers of paint and lettering to mimic the prototypes. Each model uses 12 to 14 different colors, accounting for all of the paint and lettering details. Each of the three car numbers is different, matching prototype photos for the aging green bodies, patches, logo fading, multiple yellow delineator applications and more. Yes, each car features a different AEI tag location — the list goes on and on. Available in 3 prototype road numbers. SKU 36362
– FPFX “Foster Farms Delivery” 1980 is an exciting offering for us, as we bring Foster Farms back, more accurate than ever. This group totaled 75 prototype cars. These cars feature an accurate 1980 Pullman 4750 body, including “open hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs associated with much (but not all!) of Pullman’s late production. The “Tea & Cream” body color looks great on the model. (Yes, that is the official name for the color!) The ”Devil’s Food” lettering really stands out. (Honest, we’re not making up that color name either!) The center sill correctly models the body-mounted brake linkage “access holes” on one side of the car, just like the real ones. Our 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks have the correct “Brenco 3” rotating caps. This is a popular scheme, and we are pleased to offer 4 new road numbers and late Pullman accuracy in 2025! SKU 36363
– INTX “ex-Foster Farms” 2011+ gives the mid-2000s guys a great patch offering. This example shows a former Foster Farms car that has been acquired by Interstate Commodities and is part of the massive INTX lease fleet. This ex-FPFX car features a faded version of the “Tea & Cream” body color and faded “Devils Food” lettering. The prototype car did not have delineators in 2011, so we didn’t put them on the model either! This car features an accurate 1980 Pullman 4750 body, including “open hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs associated with much (but not all!) of Pullman’s late production. The center sill correctly models the body-mounted brake linkage “access holes” on one side of the car, just like the real one. If you look closely, we also added the AEI tag with an angled mounting bracket on the sill. Our 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks have the correct “Timken” rotating caps. This is accurate patch is available in one number. Do not miss out! SKU 36364
– PLCX “Gray Lease 4-1980” answers the call for “plain gray” Pullman Standard 4750 Covered Hoppers. Pullman’s own lease fleet traveled far and wide and “fit in” almost anywhere. This PLCX group of cars was built with center tube brake linkage, a side-mounted train air line and feature beautifully replicated Miner “Selflok” outlet gates. This group of PLCX cars have an accurate 1980 Pullman 4750 body, including “open hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. With a plain gray scheme like this, it is important to get all of that lettering right, i.e. “Tangent Accurate.” So get out that magnifying glass, we don’t mind. Not only can you read all of the fine data — you can also sleep soundly knowing that it is accurate down to the Polyclutch liner data and the Terminal Grain, Lessee stencil. Our plain gray cars always seem to go fast, so don’t miss out on these 6 numbers! SKU 36365
– PLCX “Producer’s Grain” 1980 is a beautiful example of a “plain gray” Pullman leaser with the addition of the Producer’s Grain placard. Pullman’s own lease fleet traveled far and wide and “fit in” almost anywhere. This Producer’s Grain group was a massive 250 car order. They were built with center tube brake linkage and a side-mounted train air line. These replicas have an accurate 1980 Pullman 4750 body, including “open hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. The models also feature Miner “Selflok” outlet gates. Check out that placard and carefully duplicated PGC logo! Our 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks have the correct “Brenco 3” rotating caps. This is a popular scheme so don’t miss out on these 6 numbers! SKU 36366
– SOO “ex-Producer’s Grain” 1985+ shows us a couple of examples of 1980s secondhand cars, as SOO Line expanded their grain fleet, including some ex-Producers cars. These cars aren’t like the patches you see in the 2000s+, with lots of paint changes and added lettering. “SOO” was carefully patched over the PLCX, and the PLCX number was maintained. Simple and understated, just like 1980s patches should be. Each of the two car numbers is slightly different, to match prototype photos – the “SOO” side lettering is ever-so-slightly different for those modelers that pay attention. These models have an accurate 1980 Pullman 4750 body, including “open hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. The models also feature Miner “Selflok” outlet gates. Available in two accurate numbers! SKU 36367
– INTX “ex-Producer’s Grain” 2015+ gives modelers a contemporary example of a patched car. We chose this ex-Producer’s Grain car that was acquired by Interstate Commodities and is part of the substantial INTX lease fleet. This car is sharp looking, with its faded gray paint, to match the prototype photo, conspicuity stripes and AEI tag bracket. The placard is still attached to the prototype car, so we included it on the model as well, in all its faded glory. These models have an accurate 1980 Pullman 4750 body, including “open hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. The models also feature Miner “Selflok” outlet gates and is available in one number. SKU 36368
– SOU “Delivery Gray 1981” replicates the eye-catching light gray scheme with the large black SOUTHERN lettering along the sides of the car. Southern ordered 1,000 Pullman 4750 Covered Hoppers between 1980 and 1981, spread across two delivery groups. We chose numbers from the second order, with delivery dates from February and March of 1981. Here’s a fun fact: This group of cars was delivered in reverse order, so the higher numbers have the earlier build dates! The Southern prototypes feature late Pullman details like “closed-hole” side posts, thick sill protrusions over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. The model is also packed with Southern-specific details like 6-panel Landreth-style roof hatches (Look at the zig-zag ribbing on the top!), “bolt-on” Miner Outlet gates (notice the attachment frame above each gate!) and Empty/Load brake equipment on the B End of the car (look for the distinctive “extra” air reservoir and related piping!). Yes, we tooled a Southern-specific body shell to do this right. This is a critical prototype for Southern and NS modelers. We are proud to offer our Southern replicas with 12 road number choices! SKUs -01 through -06 have March 1981 data, while SKUs -07 through -12 have February 1981 data. SKU 36369
– SOU “Delivery 1981” with Conspicuity 2005 shows off the Southern 1981 cars later in life, specifically in their 2005+ appearance. This means lots of little paint and lettering details, including faded gray body color, patches, reweigh data, conspicuity stripe applications and AEI tag/bracket installation. Each individual number in this group of cars is different – yes, every car number is photo-matched so the location of data, patches, fonts etc. all changes from car number to car number. Even the AEI tag bracket style and location change from car number to car number! The Southern prototypes feature late Pullman details like “closed-hole” side posts, thick sill protrusions over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. The model is also packed with Southern-specific details like Landreth style roof hatches (Look at the zig-zag ribbing on the top!), “bolt-on” Miner Outlet gates (notice the attachment frame above each gate!) and Empty/Load brake equipment on the B End of the car (look for the distinctive “extra” air reservoir and related piping!). These beautiful contemporary cars are packed with car-number specific paint and details and are available in 6 road number choices! SKU 36370
– TCWR “ex-Southern” 2019+ shows us examples what some Ex-Southern cars look like “today.” The Twin Cities & Western acquired various covered hoppers in their hand-me-down fleet, including ex-NS cars. We chose two specific cars from the NS Ex-SOU 1981 group for this release. Both cars still wear their original SOU Pullman-applied paint but have 39 years’ worth of layered paint and lettering changes over the years of SOU, NS and now TCWR use. On the models, this translates to lots of faded body paint, patches, new lettering, conspicuity stripe applications (yes, plural). Each of the two car numbers is different – yes, we matched photos. In fact, SKU -01 even matches the non-standard placement of SOUTHERN one-panel-to-the-left, on that one side only! These Ex-Southern prototypes feature late Pullman details like “closed-hole” side posts, thick sill protrusions over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. The model is also packed with Southern-specific details like Landreth style roof hatches (Look at the zig-zag ribbing on the top!), “bolt-on” Miner Outlet gates (notice the attachment frame above each gate!) and Empty/Load brake equipment on the B End of the car (look for the distinctive “extra” air reservoir and related piping!). These beautiful contemporary replicas are ready to go in 2 different numbers. SKU 36371
– Undecorated RTR Unpainted PLCX 1980 Version 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! This car has an accurate 1980 Pullman 4750 body, including “open hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. It also includes center tube brake linkage, a side-mounted train air line and Miner “Selflok” outlet gates. The model rides on Tangent’s unmatched 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks with rotating “Timken” caps and 36” all-metal wheels. Yes, genuine Kadee® scale couplers are installed. This model is ready for painting and lettering. SKU 36350-01
– Undecorated RTR Unpainted CNW 1981 Version 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! This car has an accurate 1981 Pullman 4750 body with C&NW details, including “closed hole” side posts, thick sill protrusion over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs with vertical extensions above the trucks. It also includes center tube brake linkage, a side-mounted train air line and Miner “Selflok” outlet gates. The model rides on Tangent’s unmatched 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks with Stucki HS-7 Snubbers and rotating “Brenco 3” caps and 36” all-metal wheels. Yes, genuine Kadee® scale couplers are installed. This model is ready for painting and lettering. SKU 36351-01
– Undecorated RTR Unpainted SOU 1981 Version 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! The car has an accurate Southern 1981 Pullman 4750 body including “closed-hole” side posts, thick sill protrusions over the bolsters and distinctive wider jacking tabs. Other Southern-specific details include Landreth style roof hatches, “bolt-on” Miner Outlet gates and Empty/Load brake equipment on the B End of the car. 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. Yes, genuine Kadee® scale couplers are installed. This model is ready for painting and lettering. SKU 36352-01
Last month, we announced another brand-new truck to our product line. This month, we are repeating the announcement since it is a truck that goes with some of these Pullman-Standard hoppers as well:
– 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 PS4750 is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Our PS4750 system of models offers a multitude of detail variations and phases to replicate the many different Pullman-Standard offerings. This release includes all-new body tooling to match these later cars! Example variations include: body shells with or without holes in the side posts, brake systems, outlet gates, roofs, roof hatches, roof overhangs, running boards, crossover platforms, end ladders, jacking pads, brakewheel housings, and brakewheels. This replica includes 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 model that will provide you with years of enjoyment and curb-appeal.
These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of our 1980-1981 era and railroad-specific detail variations include:
- Dimensional accuracy – designed from Pullman-Standard 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 and crossover platforms (in 6 possible combinations)
- New Tooling: specifically, multiple all-new Late Pullman 1980-1981 body shells
- Road-specific details for each scheme, including 7 different brake systems, 3 different outlet gates, 3 different sets of roof hatches, 4 jacking pad sets, with or without shaker brackets, 2 roof overhangs, 3 different running board and crossover platform options, end ladders options, 7 brakewheel housing and clevis options, and 2 brakewheel options.
- Beautiful details – wire grab irons and coupler lift bars – no “molded in” plastic grab irons here!
- Separate air hoses
- CNC-machined 36” wheels
- Our precision Tangent Scale Models 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks or 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Truck with Stucki HS-7 Snubbers – each 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 PS4750, the most relevant freight car of the 1970s-1980s period! Pricing for RTR models is $67.95, 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!