USA Trains Ultimate Series 70 Ton Hopper


USA trains Ultimate series has been rolling out the merchandise this last year.  One of the most recent additions to the Large Scale enthusiast has been the 70 Ton, 12 panel, 3 bay Hopper.  Generally speaking, there were thousands of 3 bay hoppers that fit this specification.  Pennsy Railroad alone had some 16,000.. Generally speaking the USA trains Model is best described as an H39 Hopper. The HE7A Hoppers are very similar to these with the differences showing up in the slope at the end of the hopper being much more pronounced than the slope of the HE7A. The H39 also has ladder rungs versus a full ladder. The USA Trains has ladder rungs above the short ladder.

Generally - these Hoppers were available in the early 1960's. 
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Close up photo of crisp lettering. The dateo this particular paint job indicates an hopper of the early 1960's.
Close up details of one of the ends of the hopper.  Note the fine details and rivits.
One of the nice details on the USA Hoppers is the working hopper doors.  These are nicely detailed and even have the nice touch of letting you know which way is open of closed.
The USA Trains Model came well packed as all USA trains cars do.  It's packaging well supports the item and there was no damage noted when taking the Hopper car out of the box.

There are very few additional pieces to place.  Metal wheels are a standard.  Hook n loop and USA couplers provided.
Class H39 Prototype
Type: Open Open Open
Capacity: 140,000
Weight: 53,500
Capacity box: 2,603
Capacity Heap: 325
# Panels: 14
Side Type: Girder
# bays: 3
Inside Length: 39' 10"
Length Over Sills: 40' 1-1/2"
Truck Centers: 31' 0"
Inside Width: 9' 9-1/2"
Extreme Width: 10' 6-5/8
Height: 11' 0"

The graphics are very good on this Burlington Herald.  The only thing wrong is that this is not a properly painted sign.  The outside border is supposed to be black.  USA Trains got this right on their other Heralds on their engines but not on this hopper.
The USA Trains comes with a respectable fake coal load.  This load can be easily removed and replace with your own coal, gravel, etc.