Bluford Shops N 74131 Offset Side 70-Ton 3-Bay Hopper, Pere Marquette #15051

Centered number scheme

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.

The 2,200 mile Pere Marquette blanketed Michigan's Lower Peninsula, connecting it with Chicago, Toledo, and cutting across Ontario to reach Buffalo, New York. They found themselves in a fine position to serve the growing automobile industry. Control of the PM was acquired by the Van Sweringen brothers who also controlled C&O, Nickel Plate, Erie and Wheeling & Lake Erie. In 1947, the PM became the Pere Marquette District of the Chesapeake & Ohio.

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