Atlas' HO AAR 70-Ton 9-Panel Open Hopper has been re-released with new paint schemes & road numbers. This review is of Central Vermont 4492, item number 20 004 894, part of Atlas' Trainman® range of train cars. These AAR 70-Ton 3-bay models are available with both an arched end and a standard end.
I hate to start the review off this way but this is not a 9-panel hopper. This is an 11-panel ribbed triple hopper model, and this is the 10th release of this popular model, with new road numbers. Let's see why it is so popular.
AAR Class:	MWB: Ballast Cars. All descriptions of cars used for the purpose of carrying ballast for the laying of new right of way and repairs. The car used generally for this work is of the gondola type, with side or center dump.
To see a photo of Central Vermont 4492's sister No. 4493, see Click here for additional images for this review at the end of this review.
We now understand that this is not a 9-panel hopper. This is an 11-panel ribbed triple hopper. All the same, it is finely molded in plastic without flash, ejector circles, seam line or sink marks. It rolls on RP-25 metal wheels and attaches to other cars with knuckle couplers.
Atlas packs it securely in a custom fitted cradle with a matching clear top. The hopper is protected from scuffing by a soft plastic sheet. That is held inside an end-opening carton with a plastic film window. Atlas includes a simple parts diagram and warranty information documents.
Trainman® models are more entry level and thus lack the extensive extra detail of Atlas' Master Line models. Still, they have a good amount of detail, although almost all of it is molded on.
Grabs and stirrups, rails and stiffeners are thicker than the more expensive models and yet they are horrible. As far as I can tell, the only detail item not modeled to the body is the hand brake wheel. The coal is not molded to the body, either, although I don't consider it part of the hopper model.
Structural detail includes rivets and dump chute locks. A fair air brake system is molded into the A-end.
The car rides on plastic trucks holding metal wheels.
The coal load looks good.
Those metal wheels roll very well across Atlas code 83 track and a No. 6 turnout, and through a Peco code 80 slip switch. The couplers are hung at the proper height. Atlas scaled the body to 43 feet of length, with 47 feet from coupler to coupler. The car weighs 3.7 ounces, slightly light according to NMRA RP20.1, Car Weight. That removable coal load makes it very easy to add some weight if you wish.
Modern application of paint and printing enhances this model from earlier issues. The paint is opaque and does not cover detail.
Printing is excellent. Reporting marks and road numbers, as well as technical stenciling is legible. Central Vermont used these cars as ballast hoppers (most railroads used gondolas), hence the "MWB" stenciling.
Central Vermont is a well documented railroad so I will include no history of it here, aside from pointing out their green and yellow livery. Classy!
Atlas' HO Trainman® AAR 70 Ton 3-Bay Open Hopper is a good looking "intermediate level" model. While the rugged molding of parts lacks the finesse achievable, this isn't the clunky Tyco or Life-Like models of my youth. Nor is it a "handle-with-care" case. Pricing models is controversial and some modelers may find this model overpriced, but at least it has the industry standard knuckle couplers and metal wheels. And that printing is better than the aftermarket decals many of us used to pay big bucks for.
Overall I think this is a good model for young and intermediate model railroaders.
Please remember to tell vendors and retailers that you saw this model here - on RailRoad Modeling.
* AccuMate® couplers are made under license from AccuRail, Inc.
** NEB&W Railroad Heritage Website. NEB&W Guide to Atlas Triple Hopper Car Models. [Web.] 23 September 2011, at 12:57.
*** Leighton Haeseler. RR Picture Archives. Pictures of CV 4493. [Web.] 7/12/2007 2:34:35 PM.
Highs: Excellent paint and printing. Metal wheels and knuckle couplers.
Lows: Rugged molding of parts lacks the finesse achievable.
Verdict: A good model for young and intermediate model railroaders.