FVM 10077 Trinity RD-4 Coal Hopper, C&NW Chicago & NorthWestern #880067 Fox Valley Models N Scale

The FVM 10077 Trinity RD-4 Coal Hopper from Fox Valley Models in N Scale, featuring C&NW Chicago & NorthWestern #880067. Note that the picture might show a different road number. The Trinity RD-4 is a modern 4200-cubic-foot aluminum coal hopper built since the mid-1990s and still in use today. Railroads and public utilities use these cars in unit trains to transport coal from fields to power plants or ports. This FVM RD-4 Hopper for C&NW offers new road numbers, spanning from 1994 to the present. It belongs to Series 880000 - 880249, built in Apr - May 1994. It's fully assembled with a detailed plastic body and die-cast weight with interior details. It has modeler-applied interior braces, a removable coal load, detailed free-rolling trucks, 36” machined metal wheels, and body-mounted operating knuckle couplers compatible with Micro-Trains®. The printing and lettering are clear even under magnification. It's weighted to industry standards, operates on Code 55, 70, and 80 rail, and comes in a clear jewel box for safe storage. The minimum radius is 9 ¾” and the recommended radius is 11”. Coal transport by train has evolved from single cars to modern unit trains. The RD-4 is a result of the development towards high-capacity, low-weight cars, and can be emptied quickly either as a conventional bottom dump or with a rotary dumper.

Using this N scale coal hopper is easy. Just place it on your Code 55, 70, or 80 rail track, and it's ready to roll. Make sure to use a track with a radius of at least 9 ¾ inches, but we recommend 11 inches for better operation. You can add or remove the coal load as you like. When it comes to maintenance, keep it clean from dust and debris. You can use a soft brush to clean the detailed plastic body and the trucks. If the couplers get a bit sticky, a little bit of lubricant can help. Store it in the clear jewel box when not in use to protect it from damage. And remember, since the picture might show a different road number, the one you get is #880067.