BLMA - 16016 - Covered Hopper, 3-Bay, GATX 3500 Dry-Flo - Union Pacific - 19297

Model Information: These models were designed to match the prototype - down to the last detail! Engineered from prototype blue prints, the N Scale Dry-Flo will feature an accurate attention to both body and paint detail as you've come to expect from BLMA Models. Separate placards depending on the paint job to 'lacy' roofwalks and etched brake-wheel platforms - this model has it all!

Features: Fine-Scale Detail; Separate Brake Detail; Chemically Etched Brake Platform; Accurately Painted/Printed; Prototypical Ride Height; BLMA 70-Ton ASF Ride Control Trucks; BLMA 33" Scale Profile Metal Wheels.

Prototype History: General American Transportation Corporation produced a large fleet of 3500 cubic foot “Dry-Flo” covered hoppers beginning in 1959 as a response to customer demands for larger covered hoppers capable of handling bulk commodities. While covered hopper innovations during the 1950s proved valuable to bulk shippers, they wanted covered hoppers that could handle larger quantities of specialized commodities such as such as oats, malt, and rice. Coincidentally, plastic pellet producers were also looking for larger cube covered hoppers that could be easily loaded and unloaded under pressure. The Dry-Flo family of cars was General American’s answer to this call, with gravity-pneumatic or pneumatic-only discharge options available through three different outlet gate versions. These outlet gate variations were marketed as the Dry-Flo, Dry-Flo Chem, and Dia-Flo. Dry-Flo production ended in 1962, however these cars lasted in service well into the 1990s.

Road Name History: The Union Pacific Railroad (reporting mark UP) is a freight hauling railroad that operates 8,500 locomotives over 32,100 route-miles in 23 states west of Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana. The Union Pacific Railroad network is the largest in the United States and employs 42,600 people. It is also one of the world's largest transportation companies.

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP); both are headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Over the years Union Pacific Corporation has grown by acquiring other railroads, notably the Missouri Pacific, Chicago & North Western, Western Pacific, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, and the Southern Pacific (including the Denver & Rio Grande Western).

Union Pacific Corporation's main competitor is the BNSF Railway, the nation's second largest freight railroad, which also primarily services the Continental U.S. west of the Mississippi River. Together, the two railroads have a duopoly on all transcontinental freight rail lines in the U.S.

Read more on Wikipedia and on Union Pacific official website.

Brand/Importer Information: BLMA Models was founded in July of 2000 to bring Z, N, and HO Scale products of superior quality and originality to the model train community. At BLMA Models, we understand that quality and accuracy count in producing realistic scale models. Our passion revolves around accuracy, diversity, innovation and satisfaction to prototype model railroaders by providing exceptional products and service that goes beyond your expectations.

BLMA was acquired by Atlas Model Railroad in January of 2016.