By Railroad Model Craftsman Staff

Walthers has announced a new production of its popular Proto series Evans-built 4780 cubic foot Covered Hoppers for HO scale.  With the first cars hitting the rails in December of 1976, Evans produced over 4,000 hoppers of this design during its five-year production period.  The cars were especially popular with Nebraska grain cooperatives and lessees and have been a common sight all over North America.  Walthers’ rendition of the Evans 4780 is a ready-to-run model that includes see-through etched-metal walkways and end platforms, longitudinal trough hatches, and a combination of plastic and separately-applied metal grab irons at the end cages, 36-inch insulated metal wheels and more.

Due to arrive in July at your favorite dealers, this new run features seven paint schemes including Boston & Maine (blue), Union Pacific (full gray UP repaint with MKT reporting marks), Missouri–Kansas–Texas (green), Farmers Co-op Association – St. Edwards, Nebraska (orange), and Archer-Daniels-Midland (multiple liveries).  Multiple road numbers offered per scheme. $39.95 each from your favorite dealer or direct.

Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 800-487-2467; www.walthers.com.