FT 3402, "Rock Island Line", Offset 2 Bay Woodchip Hopper, 89427 + 89448

FT 3402 Offset 2 Bay Woodchip Hopper ROCK NO# 89427 + 89448

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 chiploads effective and productive.  All manner of tops were conceived, from wood planking and braced ply-boards to welded steel sheeting and scrap siding.  This new woodchip hopper represents refurbished offset-side hoppers with a welded steel-side extension.  Here's a repainted duo from  ROCK's  modernization and rebuilding era! 

 

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. Challenged by CB&Q's similar but farther reaching routes, Western Railroad competition, and increased operating costs, Rock Island maintenance had so degraded that when the Union Pacific RR pursued a merger in the 1970s, RI was no longer an attractive partner! A last attempt at survival was begun including a change of name to The ROCK, an improved MoW, modern motive power, and a new color scheme from the traditional red, black and white to blue, black and white. Despite the initiative, too late, a once great railroad, praised in song and print, sadly, was forced to liquidate in 1980. The Union Pacific RR by merger with Missouri Pacific RR now owns most of what was Rock Island. Full Throttle presents a pair of ROCK Offset-Side Woodchip Hoppers, repainted during the rebuilding era, with realistic loads created by Hay Brothers.