This ATLAS HO scale model represents a 70 - ton open hopper of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois (C&EI) railroad, numbered #86348, with a boxcar red and white color scheme. The picture might show a different road number. Since the 1930s, this hopper was an industry - standard on many railroads. It was recommended by the AAR but lost popularity by the mid - 1950s. Although it had greater capacity than cars with flat sides, the original open hoppers had a problem with acidic coal corroding the car's joints, leading to expensive rebuilding. This model comes with great features like true - scale dimensions with accurate details, weighted and detailed underframes, AccuMate® Knuckle Couplers (licensed from AccuRail, Inc.), trucks with free - rolling metal wheels, accurate painting and lettering, and a removable coal load.

Using your ATLAS HO scale 70 - ton open hopper model is easy. You can place it on your model railroad tracks and connect it to other cars using the AccuMate® Knuckle Couplers. The removable coal load gives you the option to show the hopper empty or full, adding realism to your layout. When handling the model, be gentle to avoid damaging the fine details like the lettering and the underframe. To maintain it, you can use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off any dust. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials as they could scratch the paint or damage the parts. If you need to clean the wheels, use a mild soap and water solution, then dry them thoroughly before putting the model back on the tracks.