Bluford Shops N 74061 Offset Side 70-Ton 3-Bay Hopper, Chicago and North Western #6074

70-ton 3-bay offset side hoppers first appeared in the late 1920s and by the late '30s had become an AAR standard design with cars delivered from a number of builders in large quantities. The last of these cars were delivered in the late 1960s and many remained in service through the '80s.

Chicago & North Western inherited this group of hoppers with their 1968 acquisition of Chicago Great Western. By the mid-70s they were receiving this paint scheme with the large "Employee Owned" version of the C&NW ball and bar logo and re-equipped with roller bearing trucks. The CGW reporting marks were retained. This was not unusual because changing a car's number could require amending equipment trusts and/or lease agreements.

Features:
Diecast slope sheet-hopper bay-center sill assembly
Injection molded plastic sides, ends, and hopper doors
Fully molded brake tank, valve and air lines
Slope sheet braces
Separately molded vertical brake rod and lever assembly
Body mounted brake hose detail
"Coal" load except as noted
Body mounted magnetically operating couplers
Close coupling
Friction bearing or roller bearing trucks as appropriate for each road name