HO GATC 2600 Airslide Hopper (ATHG87489)

HO Scale GATC 2600 Airslide Hopper is a highly detailed model that faithfully reproduces the iconic air-fluidized bulk-car used for powdery cargos. This HO-scale replica captures the 2,600-cubic-foot, single-bay configuration common to mid-century service, making it ideal for realistic era scenes on a model railroad. The Airslide design uses air to fluidize the load, allowing powders such as flour, starch, sugar and plastics to flow toward the outlets, a feature faithfully represented in this scale model.

Designed for HO layouts, this model offers three distinct body styles and a wealth of period-accurate detailing. It includes a detailed underbody with outlet piping, rectangular or oval shaker brackets, gravity or gravity-pneumatic outlets, a see-through metal roof walk, and separately applied round roof hatches with a brake wheel. It can be fitted with either roller bearing or Bettendorf trucks, machined RP25 wheels, and is weighted for steady running. Body-mounted McHenry scale knuckle couplers ensure reliable operation with other rolling stock, while the injection-molded body is finely painted and printed for a faithful appearance. It is tuned for typical HO radii, with a minimum curve radius of 18 inches. In prototype service, some 2,600-cubic-foot Airslide cars were permanently paired into two-car drawbar sets for a total capacity of 5,200 cubic feet, a historical detail reflected in the model's fidelity.