A collection of various Covered Hopper Cars for reference use on your Model Railroad. We’ve added brief descriptions to each highlighting some of their unique features.
Prototype photos can be an invaluable resource when you are trying to make your Model Railroad as realistic as possible, or even just give you some ideas for equipment you want to add.
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UP 111628 would be a good candidate for your first attempt at weathering. The subtle rust on the panel sides can easily be done with chalks or thinned paints.Note the unique horizontal ribs on this covered hopper. Adding variety like this to your rolling stock will add realism to your Model Railroad.UP 99514 shows the darkening along the vertical panel joints that is often seen on covered hoppers and boxcars.UP 76414, a typical outside braced covered hopper. This one is exhibiting some rust along the side posts, and also some rusting around the hopper release mechanisms below.UP 76194, a Union Pacific outside post style has a lot of ideas for the Model Railroader when it comes to weathering. Note the faded lettering in addition to the heavy rusting on sides. Interesting to point out is the rusting is on each end and not so much in the center.COER 354967 covered hopper sits on the arrival departure tracks just outside the main hump yard in Roseville, California.Chicago and Northwestern covered hopper 174696 has some excellent weathering references. Note the faded logo that is barely visible, and also the faded paint and extensive rust on the side panels.This view of three covered hoppers illustrates well the concept of a railway fill. Small details like this can make a big difference, as well as mixing equipment as seen here.CMO 20579 is showing little signs of aging, but of interest is the slight rusting on the vertical seams. The underside is covered with grime, typical of most covered hopper cars.CITX 701396 has only a very light weathered effect and can easily be duplicated with the use of chalks or light airbrushing.UP 112093 looks to be not that old judging from the gray paint still evident on the trucks and lack of noticeable rusting.THIS THREE BAY COVERED HOPPER IS SHOWING A LOT OF HEAVY RUSTING ON ITS SIDE PANELS AND POSTS.NOTE THE FRESH CP RAIL LETTERING ON THIS EX-SOO LINE COVERED HOPPER. THE LETTERING WAS APPLIED OVER THE RUSTED SURFACE AND WOULD MAKE AN INTERESTING ADDITION TO YOUR MODEL RAILROAD WEATHERED FLEET.RECREATING THE PATTERN OF RUST ON THIS COVERED HOPPER WOULD BE A CHALLENGE BUT WELL WORTH THE EFFORT FOR YOUR MODEL RAILROAD.THIS 3-BAY COVERED HOPPER SHOW YEARS OF ROAD GRIME ON THE UNDERSIDE AND SOME MODERATE RUSTING ON THE SIDE PANELS AND POSTS. THIS CAN BE SIMULATED USING STIFF BRISTLED DRY BRUSH TECHNIQUES.THE LETTERING ON THE SIDES OF THIS 3-BAY COVERED HOPPER ARE BARELY DISCERNIBLE WITH THE EXTENSIVE PRODUCT IT CARRIES ACCUMULATING ON ITS SIDE. THE BOTTOM EXHIBITS TYPICAL ROAD GRIME. NOTE HOW EVEN THE TRUCKS HAVE PICKED UP THE LIGHT GRAY PRODUCT BUILDUP.A 4 BAY COVERED HOPPER CAR IN THE RAILROAD YARDTHIS 4 BAY COVERED HOPPER SHOWS SOME EXTENSIVE RUSTING ON ITS SIDE PANELS. THIS IS A PERFECT CANDIDATE TO COPY AND PRACTICE YOUR WEATHERING SKILLS ONTHIS 4 BAY COVERED HOPPER SHOWS SOME BLACK STREAKING AOLONG ITS SIDES FROM THE ROOF AREA. MOST LIKELY THIS CAR CARRIED CARBON BLACK OR SIMILAR CHEMICAL PRODUCT. IT GIVES THE MODEL RAILROADER A PRIME EXAMPLE FOR WEATHERING.A NEAR NEW LOOKING 4 BAY COVERED HOPPER CAR; THE RAILROAD TRUCKS ARE STILL DISPLAYING THEIR FACTORY APPLIED GRAY FINISH WITH LITTELE RUST ON THEM. IT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO DO A LIGHT WEATHERING ON THEIR ROLLING STOCK.AN OLDER STYLE 3 BAY HOPPER WITH LOTS OF RUST O THE SIDE PANELS. THIS COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN AN OLD ROCK ISLAND CAR BASED ON THE COLOR. RECREATING THIS WOULD TAKE A BIT OF TIME AND PATIENCE, BUT WORTH THE EXTRA REALISM IT ADDS TO YOUR MODEL RAILROAD.A 4 BAY COVERED HOPPER WITH MINIMAL WEAR ON IT. THE SUBTLE HUES ALONG THE BOTTOM PORTION ARE FROM OIL AND GRIME KICKED UP FROM THE WHEELS AND ALSO WEATHER.THIS MODERN ERA 3 BAY COVERED HOPPER IS DESIGNED FOR CARRYING CEMENT AND OTHER HEAVY LOADS IT IS DISTINGUISHABLE BY ITS SHORTER LENGTH, TYPICAL OF THESE TYPES OF CARS.A 3 BAY COVERED HOPPER FOR CARRYING CEMENT. NOTE ITS SHORTE LENGHT COMPARED TO SIMILAR LOOKING 4 BAY HOPPERS THAT CARRY LIGHTER LOADS THIS SLIGHTLY RUSTY 3 BAY CEMENT HOPPER OFFERS SOME GOOD IDEAS FOR WEATHERING LIGHTLY. THE RUST CAN EASILY BE RECREATED WITH MINIMAL EFORT AND A BIT OF WEATHERING ON THE TRUCK SIDEFRAMES WOULD BRING YOUR MODEL TO LIFE.A FAIRLY NEW 2 BAY COVERED HOPPER SHOWING SOME ROAD GRIME ONITS UNDERSIDE. NOTE ALSO THE BLUE BEARING ENDS AND SLIGHT RUSTING ON THE TOP ROOF AREA.
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