Bluford Shops 14610 N 14-Panel 3-Bay Hopper Clinchfield ex-P&LE (PC) #CRR 69656

The Bluford Shops N scale 14-Panel 3-Bay Hopper returns in nine new paint schemes. The design of this hopper was spearheaded by New York Central in the late ‘50s as they sought an alternative to the AAR 70-ton rib side hopper design. In the end, this 14-Panel design proved to be popular with more railroads than the AAR design. Our N scale models feature diecast slope sheet/hopper bay assemblies for plenty of weight – even when running empty, removeable loads, metal wheels, magnetically operating knuckle couplers, separately applied brake detail and carefully researched paint schemes.

Clinchfield Railroad bought this group of 323 (and probably more) hoppers secondhand from Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. Once on the property, the P&LE reporting marks were removed and CRR marks applied. Since the P&LE road numbers were in a range that was vacant on the CRR roster, the numbers were not changed. P&LE was a subsidiary of Penn Central at the time and a PC ‘worms” logo adorned the right end of each side.