FVM 10088 Trinity RD-4 Coal Hopper, C&NW Chicago & NorthWestern #880163 Fox Valley Models N Scale

The FVM 10088 Trinity RD - 4 Coal Hopper by Fox Valley Models in N Scale, specifically C&NW Chicago & NorthWestern #880163. Note that the picture might show a different road number. The Trinity RD - 4 Coal hopper is a 4200 - cubic - foot modern car built since the mid - 1990s and still in service today. Railroads and public utilities use these aluminum hopper cars in unit trains to transport coal from coal fields to power plants or export ports. The FVM RD - 4 Hopper for C&NW features new road numbers, spanning from 1994 to the present. It's from the series 880000 - 880249, built from April to May 1994. It comes fully assembled with a detailed plastic body and a die - cast weight with interior details. The interior braces are modeler - applied, and it has a removable coal load. The detailed free - rolling trucks have 36” machined metal wheels. The body - mounted operating knuckle couplers are Micro - Trains® compatible. The printing and lettering are clear even under magnification, and it's weighted to industry standards for reliable operation. It can operate on Code 55, 70, and 80 rail and is safely stored in a clear jewel box packaging. The minimum radius is 9 ¾”, and the recommended radius is 11”. Coal transportation by train has evolved from single - car loads to mile - long unit trains. Cars have developed from early wood and composite ones to modern aluminum hoppers like the Trinity RD - 4, which was built from the mid - 1990s to the early 2000s. Many railroads and public utilities own these cars with various paint schemes. The prototype has a 4200 - cubic - foot capacity and is a Plate F car. The RD stands for Rapid Discharge, and it can be emptied quickly either as a conventional bottom - dump car or with a rotary dumper due to its rotary couplers.

Using the FVM 10088 Trinity RD - 4 Coal Hopper is easy. Just place it on Code 55, 70, or 80 rail and watch it roll. Make sure to use a track with at least a 9 ¾” minimum radius, though a 11” radius is recommended for better operation. You can add or remove the coal load as you like to change the look of the model. When it comes to maintenance, keep the wheels clean to ensure smooth rolling. If you notice any dirt or debris on the 36” machined metal wheels, use a soft cloth to gently wipe them. The body - mounted operating knuckle couplers are Micro - Trains® compatible, so be careful when attaching or detaching other cars to avoid damage. Store the model in its clear jewel box packaging when not in use to protect it from dust and scratches. And remember, the printing and lettering on the model are very detailed, so handle it with care to keep them looking sharp.