Tangent Scale Models HO Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) Orange Hopper Topper 3-Pack

Product Details

Centralia 3834 cuft Quad Hopper
Scale: HO Scale 1:87.1
Era: 1973-1983

ICG Orange Hopper Topper 3-Pack (1973+)

This product captures a fascinating moment in railroad history, showcasing the ICG's problem-solving ingenuity during a period of record grain shipments from Iowa and Minnesota in 1973. Faced with a stretched grain hopper fleet, the ICG turned to creative solutions to meet the demand.

Key Features and Historical Context:

• Innovative Adaptation: Centralia Quad hoppers were repurposed for grain service using plastic tarps for weather protection. However, Proform Incorporated from Minneapolis, MN proposed a more elegant solution—a fiberglass top that could be bolted onto the hoppers.
• Enhanced Functionality: The "Hopper Topper" conversion allowed the 100-ton coal hopper fleet to haul grain, offering an additional 7,000 pounds of capacity with trough hatch loading capability and weather protection.
• Efficient Design: The fiberglass cover could be attached in just 30 minutes, enabling the cars to haul wheat, corn, and soybeans effectively.
• Prototype Accuracy: Tangent Scale Models designed these covers based on real photos and blueprints, ensuring authenticity. The model includes a beautiful etched metal Morton walkway.

Historical Milestones:

• Summer 1973: Successful tests of the Hopper Topper concluded.
• End of 1973: Proform began delivering the fiberglass tops to Paducah, KY.
• Legacy: While other railroads adopted this innovative solution in later years, Tangent’s replicas are specifically designed to fit the IC/ICG Centralia Shops 3834cf Quad Coal Hopper.

This model is a true celebration of railroad innovation and historical accuracy, making it a standout addition to any HO scale collection.