The Atlas 20006595 is a HO scale PS - 2 covered hopper from Burlington Northern, numbered #979039. It comes in eye - catching yellow and green colors and serves as a scale monitor car. Note that the picture might show a different road number. Covered hoppers are a modern addition to the train car family. Until the 1980s, the AAR regarded them as “special” cars, and then they got their own car type code. These early covered hoppers were mainly built for more efficient cement loading and unloading, replacing the old method of bagging cement and using box cars. This two - bay covered hopper was produced by Pullman - Standard from the late 1940s to the 1950s. It has eight round roof hatches for fast loading and two large gravity gates for quick commodity discharge, with a capacity of 2,003 cubic feet. Key features include 50 - ton friction bearing or 70 - ton roller bearing trucks (depending on the road name), detailed brake gear, Accumate® couplers, and prototypical painting and printing.

Using this HO scale covered hopper is easy. You can use it to create an exciting train layout just like the real - world Burlington Northern trains. For loading, imagine it as a real cement carrier. Open the eight round roof hatches on the top and 'load' your model cargo. When it's time to unload, think of the two large gravity gates as the real discharge points. Now, for the important stuff. Be careful when handling the small parts like the couplers and brake gear. Avoid dropping the car as it could damage these delicate details. To keep it looking great, use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe off any dust. If you want to display it in a high - traffic area, consider using a small display case to protect it from accidental bumps. With proper care, this little covered hopper will be a great addition to your collection for a long time.