Introduction

Rapido Trains 72003A HO Scale Procor 3000 cuft Aluminum Hopper “Handrail & Worldmark” UNPX

Car #3

In the early 1980s sodium chlorate began to replace chlorine as a bleaching agent in the paper making process. Historically, sodium chlorate had been transported in solution form in tank cars. With significant increase in demand, a more efficient delivery method was needed. Transportation in crystal form by covered hopper car was a natural solution. However, a means to address the corrosive properties of sodium chlorate was required.

Procor took on the challenge to come up with an alternative and went on to develop an all- aluminum construction covered hopper car. Parallel in concept to the aluminum bodied wheat board covered hopper previously built by National Steel Car (NSC), the Procor engineered car incorporated two fundamental design changes; lower cubic volume, due to higher commodity density (3,000 cu. ft. compared to 4,100 cu. ft.) and upgrade from 70 ton (220,000 lb Gross Rail Load) to 100 ton (263,000 lb Gross Rail Load).

Over the years Procor would assemble a fleet of more than 1,300 aluminum sodium chlorate service covered hopper cars, a portion of which was constructed by NSC and Thrall. The Rapido version is representative of later production cars fitted with steel gull wing end structures.

FEATURES:

• With or without top handrails
• Sparger outlet gates
• Etched walkways
• Separate grab irons installed at the factory
• All-new 100-ton Ride Control trucks with
• HydraShox hydraulic snubbers
• Etched placards (Side placards packed in polybag)
• Full end cage details
• Accurate paint and lettering
• Multiple road numbers available for each scheme

NOTE: Road number may vary from picture shown.