#FT-COL-7   PC / NYC   2-Pack • 2 x 51' ACF Cylindrical Hoppers   $56.00 retail ea. • $56.00 Set #2: #NYC 885924, PC 884366 • January 2024 Set #2   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Rail buffs recognize Penn Central (PC) as the failed attempt to combine three traditional corporate rivals (Pennsylvania, New York Central and New York, New Haven and Hartford railroads) united by large-scale service to the Northeast and Midwest USA, in efforts to remain viable under post-war Railroad regulations and modern shipping via our American highway system. The PC operated from 1968 to 1976 when it's assets were nationalized into to the government-owned Consolidated Rail (CONRAIL) along with the other bankrupt Northeastern roads. Here's two Cylindrical Hoppers from Penn Central's heyday! Due to many early mergers of RR Companys, ACF Industries is represented in most States of the Northern USA, east of the Mississippi River. They are responsible for many innovative Freight and Passenger cars used in modern railroading.

#FT-COL-9-3   MONON • Set #3 • 2 x 33' 2-Bay Offset-Side Hoppers   $48.00 retail ea. • $48.00 Set #3: #CIL 4145, #MON 41576 • November 2021 Set #3 • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Here's MONON, a revered Railroad that carried, meat, produce and coal through a goodly portion of the Midwest! The MONON Railroad (MON) AKA Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville Railway (CIL) ca: 1897-1971, operated in Indiana and the States of close proximity, with it's main routes converging in Monon, IN. It was merged into the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1971, and much of the former MONON right of way is owned today by CSX Transportation. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, the MONON had seven sections. Sections Six and Seven were spurs to the west, Six serving the Indiana coal fields. Two main lines ran south from Lake Michigan through Monon, one to Indianapolis then east to Cincinnati and Dayton, OH, while the other ran further south to French Lick and Louisville, KY. Freight and Passengers were carried over all parts of the line.

#FT-3032/4026   MoPac • 1 x 33' 2-Bay Offset-Side Hopper • 1 x 40' 3-Bay 70-Ton Offset-Side Hopper   $46.00 retail ea. • $46.00 Set #1: #33' MP 59335, 40' MP 61534 • April 2017 Set #1 $46.00 • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

The Missouri Pacific Railroad (MP), aka MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the USA west of the Mississippi River. Headquartered in St. Louis, MoPac grew from dozens of predecessors and mergers and ran throughout Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, claiming 13,318 miles of track in 1967, not including that of several of it's major subsidiaries! MoPac operated a fleet of more than 1,500 diesel locomotives, hauling grain, TOFC (Trailer on Flat Car), coal, ore, autos and dry goods. MoPac's premier passenger trains were collectively known as "Eagles." In 1980 the Missouri Pacific Railroad was purchased by the Union Pacific Railroad, and merged with the Western Pacific Railroad in 1982, creating the largest system in its day, the "Pacific Rail Systems." Because of lawsuits and outstanding bonds, the merger didn't become official until 1997.

#FT-2021/2050   Colorado • 1 x 33' 2-Bay Rib-Side Hopper • 1 x 33' 2-Bay Rib-Side Hopper   $44.00 retail ea. • $44.00 Set #1: #C&S 18192, #CBQ 18089 • June 2018 Set #1 $44.00 • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Coal mining in Colorado, originally, was spread across the State, but currently, 11 active mines in the West rank it tenth in US coal production. The Colorado and Southern RR served CO, WY, NM, and TX from 1898-1908 when the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy RR bought it's rights. It ran independently until 1970 when it was absorbed by the Burlington Northern RR which eventually merged with ATSF RR to become BNSF RR. In the second half of the 20th century, the expansion of the Powder River Basin of MT and WY, one of the largest coal regions in the world, fueling over 40% of our nation's power plants, was instrumental for Railroad consolidations and Big Railroad coal freight action. The C&S and CB&Q via the BN RR became huge players in supplying our entire Midwest Power Grid with the commodity! Supplying even Canada and the UK, major coal companies such as PEABODY, have mines and hopper traffic throughout the area shipping worldwide. Here are two hoppers from the Steam to Diesel Era of coal railroading in Colorado!

#FT-COL-52   RBMN   2-Pack • Full Throttle / Pennzee 100-Ton Hoppers   $54.00 retail ea. • $54.00 Set #1: #RBMN 7246, RBMN 7439 • December 2020 Set #1   • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Founded in 1983, headquartered in Port Clinton, PA, the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (RBMN), AKA: Reading and Northern Railroad, is a contemporary regional railroad operating in eastern Pennsylvania. The RBMN provides freight service on 300 miles of track, with it's mainline consisting of the Reading Division between Reading and Packerton and the Lehigh Division between Lehighton and Dupont. The RBMN carries anthracite coal from the mines north of Reading, and runs passenger excursions along it's picturesque system. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (LGSR) is a tourist railroad that operates passenger excursions along the RBMN between Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge State Park. The RBMN also hosts such trips from Reading and Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe. In 2010, due to natural gas drilling in northeastern PA, RBMN expanded operations, refurbishing the Pittston Yard, near Wilkes-Barre and purchasing several new locomotives.

#FT-COL-56   Farm Feeds II   2-Pack • 2 x 51' ACF Cylindrical Hoppers   $56.00 retail ea. • $56.00 Set #1: #SHPX 61328, SHPX 1403 • September 2021 Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

The covered Cylindrical Hoppers were perfect for carrying fodder to all the rural farmlands of our America! Many being compartmented, allowed several different feeds to be transported in one haul. After WWII, American Car and Foundry (ACF) designed a tank-type "Center Flow" covered hopper car to carry "modern" products. Here was a "Freight Car for the Future," ready to transport sugar, cement, sand, salt, fertilizers, many types of grains, coke, starch, feeds, chemicals and plastics! In 1894, William H. Danforth began producing feed for various farm animals under the name Purina Mills. The predominant brand for each animal was generally referred to as "Chow"; hence there was "Purina" Horse, Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Pig and even Monkey "Chow". in 1902, he merged with university professor Webster Edgerly, a producer of breakfast cereals, to form the "Ralston Purina Co.". In 1998 it was purchased by Koch Industries and in 2001 by Land O'Lakes. Our universal Farm and Ranch cylindrical represents the myriad tractor, farm equipment/accessory and feed stores which dot our countryside from the North, South, East and West! Separately owned, they are a common and necessary part of rural life.

#FT-COL-58   Chemicals   2-Pack • 2 x 51' ACF Cylindrical Hoppers   $56.00 retail ea. • $56.00 Set #1: #CRDX 4502, SHPX 60773 • January 2022 Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

American Chemical Companies took full advantage of the "new" covered Cylindrical Hoppers. Here are two prototype cars manufactured by ACF to haul these volatile loads. After WWII, American Car and Foundry (ACF) designed a tank-type "Center Flow" covered hopper car to carry "modern" products. Here was a "Freight Car for the Future," ready to transport sugar, cement, sand, salt, fertilizers, many types of grains, coke, starch, feeds, chemicals and plastics! W. R. Grace and Co. is an American chemical business based in Columbia, Maryland. Grace Catalysts Technologies makes catalysts used in petrochemical, refining, and other chemical manufacturing. Grace Materials and Chemicals makes specialty materials, including silica-based and silica-alumina-based materials, used in pharmaceutical/consumer, coatings, and chemical processing. In September 2021, Standard Industries acquired the company. The Cumberland Chemical Corporation, a subsidiary of the Air Reduction Company, produces a series of vinyl resins that offers superior gloss, color and clarity in vinyl plastics.

#FT-COL-59   Ferry Hoppers   2-Pack • 1 x Ann Arbor 33' 2-Bay Rib-Side Hopper • 1 x Wabash 33' 2-Bay Rib-Side Hopper   $48.00 retail ea. • $48.00 Ferry Hoppers of the Great Lakes Set #1: #AA 30567, WAB 35035 • March 2022     Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers • Coal Loads

In this offering you will find two "sister" hoppers which traversed our Great Lakes. This was no mean feat, but in earlier days was a necessary function for commerce. Not until well after WWII when there were many improvements to our highway system and the "Big Rigs" became omnipresent, did "Ferry Hoppers" cease to exist. Ann Arbor Railroad (AA) operated between Toledo, Ohio, and Elberta and Frankfort, Michigan with ferry operations across Lake Michigan. AA's Lake Michigan train ferry fleet at Elberta started in November 1892 when acquiring its first two boats, Ann Arbor I and Ann Arbor 2 serving four ports west of Lake Michigan. Wabash Railroad (WAB) operated in mid-central USA with track in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and the province of Ontario. Arriving in Detroit in 1897 and contracting with Grand Trunk Railway to use their ferries for crossing the Lake, WAB eventually acquired three of Michigan Central's ferries, the Transport, Transport II and the Detroit, operating until 1994 when it became part of Norfolk Southern. For many years the Ann Arbor was owned by the Wabash, but operated as an independent subsidiary. Grand Trunk Western, Canadian Pacific, Pere Marquette, Wabash, and Michigan Central were all major railroads transferring rail cars across Lake Michigan from the USA to Canada, but sadly all that remains of their glorious fleets are barges, scrap metal and abandoned ferry slips.

#FT-COL-60   CSX Heritage   2-Pack • 1 x ACL 70-Ton 3-Bay Offset-Side Hopper • 1 x SCL 70-Ton 3-Bay Offset-Side Hopper   $46.00 retail ea. • $46.00 Set #1: #ACL 83746, SCL 883816 • May 2022     Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers • Coal Loads

From the 1920's through the 1970's and beyond, the 40', 70-Ton Hoppers were Kings of hauling. Not replacing, but as an adjunct to the venerable 33', 50-Ton, 2-Bay Hoppers, the longer ribbed or offset-side 3-Bay versions were used in unit consists or for large standing orders. Though their production ceased as newer, larger hoppers appeared on the scene in the late 1900's, many refurbished, repainted cars remain working, practical for smaller loads and MoW work. The Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) and Seaboard Air Line (SAL) were two great Southeastern USA Railroads. Long in competition, they joined forces in 1967 to form Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. Acquiring the Piedmont and Northern RR shortly after, headquarters were in both Richmond, VA and Jacksonville, FL. The ACL with double track lines contributed greatly to Florida's economic growth and population, while the SAL hauled produce and goods through the entire South. In 1983 the SCL became Seaboard System RR after a merger with the Louisville and Nashville RR and Clinchfield RR. For some years prior, the SCL and L&N had been under common ownership and the company's railroads were known as the Family Lines System which consisted of the L&N, SCL, Clinchfield and West Point Routes. During this time, the railroads adopted the same paint schemes but continued to operate as separate railroads. In 1980, Family Lines System and Chessie System combined, evolving as Seaboard System and in 1986 finally became CSX Transportation. Here's two hoppers from the CSX (Chessie and Seaboard Extended) past that would be comfortable in a consist with a myriad of Eastern USA rolling stock!

#FT-COL-61   American Reefers   2-Pack • 1 x FGE 34' Woodside Reefer • 1 x WP 34' Woodside Reefer   $52.00 retail ea. • $52.00 Set #1: #WP 7049, FGEX 42327 • August 2022     Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Fruit Growers Express (FGE), now controlled by CSX Corp. was based in VA and FL. Serving the East and Midwest, in 1923 FGE and GN Railway formed Western Fruit Express. FGE expanded into the Pacific Northwest USA via a partnership with the CB&Q Railroad forming Burlington Refrigerator Express (BREX). In 1928 FGE created the National Car Co. Western Pacific Railroad (WP) was formed in 1903, serving our Southwest and West Coast states. In 1983 Western Pacific was acquired by the Union Pacific Railroad. At the turn of the 19th Century, during America's Industrial Revolution, our Railroads refurbished many of their older cars for modern use. Steel underframes, Bettendorf trucks, and newer brake systems were employed. Full Throttle offers two renovated 34' freight/reefer/ice cars which traveled our nation into the early diesel era!

#FT-COL-62   Appalachian Coalers   2-Pack • 1 x 33' 2-Bay Offset-Side Heap Shield Hopper • 1 x 33' 2-Bay Rib-Side Heap Shield Hopper   $50.00 retail ea. • $50.00 Set #1: #INT 5658, P&LE 75736 • November 2022     Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers • Coal Loads

The INTERSTATE Railroad (INT), of southwest Virginia, extended from the Clinchfield RR and ran parallel to the N&W RR, L&N RR, and SOUTHERN RR at various points, but diversified, having many Lines and Spurs running into the mountains of the Kentucky border. The company still exists as a subsidiary of the Norfolk Southern Corporation, but is operated as an NS RR Line. The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE) formed in 1875. Headquarted in Pittsburgh, PA, the P&LE connected Pittsburgh with Youngstown, OH in the west and Connellsville, PA to the east. A specialized railroad, the "Little Giant" moved boundless tonnage, serving the steel mills of the Pittsburgh area, which consumed and shipped vast amounts of coal, coke, iron ore, limestone and steel. When the great steel mills closed the P&LE ceased independence and was absorbed by CSX. HEAP SHIELDS were often added to the hopper-ends to prevent spillage and waste on curvy, steep mountain trackage which demanded much stop-and-go progress. Hay Bros. created the realistic coal loads.

#FT-COL-63   Chemicals II   2-Pack • 2 x 51' ACF Cylindrical Hoppers   $56.00 retail ea. • $56.00 Set #1: #SHPX 60414, SHPX 82353 • May 2023 Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Two of our Nation's most well-known Chemical Companies, U.S.I. and HOOKER, were once offered as Cylindrical 2-pks. by Full Throttle. Now, long out-of-production, this May '23 release has one of each, with new reporting numbers, in a dynamite Collector's Pack! These Cylindrical Hoppers would have been seen all across our country's rails! Hooker Chemical Company, was an American concern that produced chlor-alkali products from 1903 to 1968. and is best known for the chemical waste site "Love Canal," which it sold in 1953, and led to a lengthy lawsuit several decades later. Located in Niagara Falls, NY, the Co. built a second chlor-alkali plant in Tacoma, WA in 1929. Hooker Chemical Company was purchased by Petroleum Corporation in 1968. U.S.I. (Union Silicone Industries) is an American Co. specializing in petrochemicals and polymer products. A base in Dublin, OH, they have major factories in IL and NJ, as well as many plants nationwide. Due to many early mergers of RR Companys, ACF Industries is represented in most States of the Northern USA, east of the Mississippi River. They are responsible for many innovative Freight and Passenger cars used in modern railroading. SHPX is the leasing division of American Car and Foundry (ACF).

#FT-COL-64   SP/Cotton Belt   2-Pack • 2 x 51' ACF Cylindrical Hoppers   $56.00 retail ea. • $56.00 Set #1: #BLCX 1092, SSW 79036 • August 2023 Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) was founded in 1865, later acquiring the Central Pacific RR by lease. The SP, a major USA railroad by 1900, incorporated many small Southern, Western and even Mexican Lines. By 1929 the SP/T&NO was huge, not including it's Cotton Belt Line, whose purchase of the Golden State Route in 1980 doubled it's size! In 1988 the SP was absorbed by Denver and Rio Grande but kept it's name, then serving virtually the entire Southwestern USA! In 1996 the SP became part of the Union Pacific Railroad. St. Louis Southwestern Railway (SSW), aka Cotton Belt, was organized in 1891 and ran on copius trackage from Illinois, down through Missouri and Arkansas, into Louisiana and eastern Texas. The Southern Pacific Company gained control in 1932, but ran Cotton Belt separately until 1992 when they consolidated. From 1959, Cotton Belt diesels were painted in SP's famous gray and red "bloody nose" scheme.

#FT-COL-65-1   CSX • 1 x CSX CSXT 100-Ton Rib-Side 3-Bay Hopper • 1 x CSX WM 100-Ton Rib-Side 3-Bay Hopper   $54.00 retail ea. • $54.00 #CSXT 800328 • October 2023 #WM 830071 • October 2023 This is an exclusive supplement release available only at zscalemonster.com Set #1 $54.00 • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

When incorporated in 1973, the CHESSIE SYSTEM owned the B&O, C&O and WM Railroads, amassing from it's mergers, a giant fleet of quintessential 100-ton coalers, which continue to be in service today. In 1987, CHESSIE united with SEABOARD COAST LINE Industries, forming CSX Transportation. The hopper repaints bore the CSX logo and retained the Railroad of origin in it's reporting marks.

#FT-COL-65-2   CSX • 1 x CSX C&O 100-Ton Rib-Side 3-Bay Hopper • 1 x CSX B&O 100-Ton Rib-Side 3-Bay Hopper   $54.00 retail ea. • $54.00 #C&O 811859 • October 2023 #B&O 162537 • October 2023 This is an exclusive supplement release available only at zscalemonster.com Set #2 $54.00 • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

When incorporated in 1973, the CHESSIE SYSTEM owned the B&O, C&O and WM Railroads, amassing from it's mergers, a giant fleet of quintessential 100-ton coalers, which continue to be in service today. In 1987, CHESSIE united with SEABOARD COAST LINE Industries, forming CSX Transportation. The hopper repaints bore the CSX logo and retained the Railroad of origin in it's reporting marks.

#FT-COL-67   "Aluminum" SOU / CBQ • 1 x CB&Q 33' 2-Bay Rib-Side Hopper • 1 x Southern 33' 2-Bay Rib-Side Hopper   $48.00 retail ea. • $48.00 "Aluminum"   •   Southern & CB&Q Set #1: #SOU 112495, CBQ 190855 • March 2024     Set #1 $48.00 • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers • Coal Loads

Aluminum first appeared in the Rail Industry as early as 1900. Because of it's light weight, corrosion resistance, and overall durability, by 1931, experiments with all-aluminum hoppers began. The idea was that this metal offered a higher payload capacity...more coal per car for the same gross weight. After WWII, the use of aluminum on Railroads blossomed and as the steel hopper fleets began to wear thin, newer alloys and construction prompted the rise of high-side aluminum gondolas which could be dumped by large revolving mechanisms, thus eliminating gravity-fed hopper doors.     Two of the railroads initiating the tests were:       • The Southern Railway (SOU) (1894-1982) was often on the cutting edge of change, covered and serviced nearly the entire southern portion         of the USA with freight and passenger traffic!       • The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CBQ) aka: the Burlington, operated on extensive trackage through the mid-west, out to Wyoming,         Colorado and deep into Texas.

#FT-COL-68   Laundry Soaps   2-Pack • 2 x 51' ACF Cylindrical Hoppers   $56.00 retail ea. • $56.00 Set #1: #SHPX 3996, SHPX 6203 • May 2024 Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

DUZ and Tide were two popular Laundry Soaps used in post WWII "modernized" clothes washing machines by the American housewife. Widely advertised on TV, they often included useful household "gifts" in their boxes, and were responsible for naming their afternoon dramas as "Soap Operas." Indispensable products for the home, even until today!

#FT-COL-69   Northern Chippers   2-Pack • 1 x GBW 33' Offset Side Woodchip Hopper • 1 x MEC 33' Rib-Side Woodchip Hopper   $50.00 retail ea. • $50.00 Set #1: #GBW 403, MEC 1527 • July 2024 Set #1   • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

When, finally, Railroads realized woodchips and bark could be a profitable haul, they customized their older hoppers with extended tops to carry greater quantities of the lighter loads. All manner of extensions were devised, from wooden slats and braced panels, steel plates, to parts of damaged cars. A new market evolved using chips for paper production, bedding on the farm, mulches, playground surfacing, forest fire prevention, and alternative fuel. Full Throttle brings you two examples from railroads which roamed our northern forests.

The Green Bay and Western Railroad (GBW) served central Wisconsin for almost 100 years when in 1993 it was absorbed into the Wisconsin Central which was purchased by Canadian National in 2001.

By 1884 the MAINE CENTRAL Railroad Company (MEC), known as the Pine Tree Route, was the longest railroad in New England. Serving parts of VT and NH, most of it's track was in central and southern Maine. The USRA assumed control in 1917, and it remained independent until 1981, when it became part of what is now the Pan Am Railways network.

#FT-COL-70   USA Reefers   2-Pack • 1 x Hormel Foods 34' Woodside Reefer • 1 x "ICE" ICE Reefer 34' Woodside Reefer   $54.00 retail ea. • $54.00 Set #1: #URT 66008, URTX 1109 • September 2024     Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

Hormel Foods Corp., a USA food processing co. from Austin, Minnesota, founded in 1891, focused on the packaging and selling of ham, sausage and other pork, chicken, beef and lamb products, adding Spam in 1937. ICE Car: For most of the 20th Century before running water and electricity were commonplace in rural America, homeowners were dependent on three kitchen necessities. A wood or coal stove for cooking, a "Hoosier" for flour and baking elements, and an enamel lined "Ice Box!" Ice Reefers carried large chunks of ice to supply homes and packing houses in order to keep foodstuffs from spoiling and provide an early form of "refrigeration." At the turn of the 19th Century, during America's Industrial Revolution, Railroads refurbished many of their well-built older wood-side cars for more modern use by employing steel underframes, Bettendorf trucks, and new brake systems. Here are two refurbished reefers which appeared on American tracks during the Steam to early Diesel years of Railroading.

#FT-COL-72   Wisconsin Coolers   2-Pack • 1 x Milwaukee Road 34' Woodside Reefer • 1 x Miller 34' Woodside Reefer   $54.00 retail ea. • $54.00 Set #1: #URTC 85236, URTC 93138 • February 2025     Set #1   • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

At the turn of the 19th Century, during America's Industrial Revolution, our Railroads refurbished many of their older cars for modern use. Steel underframes, Bettendorf trucks, and newer brake systems were employed. From Milwaukee, WI, serving the Midwest and beyond, here are two refurbished woodside reefers that traversed our nation's tracks during the Steam-to-Diesel era. The "Milwaukee Road" (MILW) (CMStP&P), operated from 1847 until 1986. MILW's colorful "Hiawatha" passenger trains were among the finest, carrying travelers through Montana, Idaho, and Washington to our West Coast. The MILW then merged into the Soo Line Railroad (SOO), a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), in 1986. Much of it's trackage remains in use by other railroads (BNSF, UP, CP). The Miller Brewing Co. of Milwaukee, WI, producing "High Life" beer, was founded in 1855 by Frederick Miller. Molson Coors acquired the full global brand portfolio in 2016, and operates the Miller Brewery complex at it's original site.

#FT-COL-73   Rock Island   2-Pack • 2 x 33' Offset Side Woodchip Hoppers   $56.00 retail ea. • $56.00 Set #1: #R.I. 89437, ROCK 89453 • March 2026 Set #1   • Hay Brothers detailed loads • Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler Trucks • Blackened Metal wheels • Knuckle Couplers

A pair of woodchip hoppers from the mighty ROCK ISLAND LINE! Renown in legend and song, serving the entire mid-section of the USA, these represent the transition period to modernization for the Line.

The "Rock Island Line" was a huge railroad operating in the American Heartland. It stretched across ARK, CO, IL, IA, KS, MO, NB, NM, OK, SD, TX and reached into MN and TN! It was the first RR to connect Chicago, IL, with the Mississippi River, and jointly, with the Southern Pacific RR, ran a passenger service to the West Coast. AKA: "The Rock" was born in 1974, battling decline and competition, and lasted until 1980. The Union Pacific RR by merger with Missouri Pacific RR now owns most of what was Rock Island.

One source of income after mid-century was Woodchips, once considered trash! Their use in paper production, bedding on the farm, mulches, playground surfacing, forest fire prevention, and an alternative fuel made them a profitable haul. Old hopper cars were refurbished, given top-extensions and pressed into service. All manner of extensions were conceived, from wood planking and braced ply boards to welded steel sheeting and scrap parts from irreparable cars to increase capacities for this lighter load.

A new COLLECTOR 2-pk of Woodchip Hoppers! When helpful and profitable uses for woodchips were realized after mid-century and they transcended being "trash," there was a scramble to figure out a way to transport them via the railroads. Old hopper cars, both ribbed and offset were pressed into service. The addition of "extended tops" made the transport of the lighter-than-coal chip loads effective and productive. All manner of tops were conceived, from wood planking and braced ply-boards to welded steel sheeting and scrap siding. These Rock Island woodchip hoppers represent refurbished offset-side hoppers (one a repaint) with a welded steel-side extension.