MODEL INFORMATION
Company: Lionel
Product #: 6-27012
Gauge: Standard O
First Cataloged: 2007
Trucks: Die-cast, Sprung
Couplers: Die-cast, Operating
Notes: Part of 3 car, individually numbered, set 6-21881
Product Website
PROTOTYPE INFORMATION
Builder:
Era: 50's, 60's
Primary Use: Coal
Notes: As early as the late 1920s, the American Association of Railroads began designing standardized 50-ton open hopper cars. These hoppers would ride the rails for decades. The A.A.R standard 50-ton open hopper was classified HM, which designated it as a self-clearing open top car with two divided hoppers, fixed ends, fixed sides and doors hinged crosswise to allow dumping between the rails. The cars became widespread on coal hauling railroads throughout the country, seeing service behind steam and diesel locomotives.
Tens of thousands of these cars were built in the first half of the 20th century and many lasted well into the diesel era and were pulled by all sorts of locomotives from 0-6-0s to mallets to modern six axle road switchers.