By Harry K. Wong
Presented here is an early look at pre production samples of a series of ARI 5200cf 3-Bay Covered Hoppers from ClassOneModelworks.com. Never before produced in HO scale, these highly detailed hopper cars are due to arrive in late 2024 or early 2025.
American Railcar Industries was founded in 1994 through the acquisition of assets of famed carbuilder American Car & Foundry (ACF). In 2005, ARI began production of 5,200 cubic foot hoppers of an entirely new design. Built to haul grain and other granular commodities, the Union Pacific Railroad was the first customer for the ARI 5200, assigning its first group to CMO (former CNW) reporting marks, as a number series under UP reporting marks were not available. In 2006, UP placed another order, but to CHTT reporting marks. Later operators of the ARI 5200s include Kansas City Southern, CEFX (West Central), TCMX, and many others.
ClassOneModelworks’ renditions of the ARI 5200 will feature:
- Early 12-panel body style or later 11-panel body shells used where appropriate
- Wire cut levers and wire grab irons on all ladders, roof and body
- Etched metal formed running boards
- Four different styles of loading hatches – applied where appropriate
- Miner single gate or Miner SaniLOK dual discharge gates down below
- Car vents and locations appropriate per prototype car
- Cast metal lower car body for superior tracking
- Two styles of pull/jack plates
- 36” metal wheels with preweathered wheel faces and rotating blue Brenco roller bearing covers.
- ClassOne “Classic” metal knuckle couplers – Kadee compatible
Road names for the inaugural run are to include CHTT (UP), CMO (UP), UP, KCS (Belle scheme), CITX, CEFX (West Central), TCMX and COER (former KCS). MSRP $59.99. Multiple road numbers are available. Pre-orders can be placed now at classonemodelworks.com for delivery in late 2024 or early 2025.
ClassOneModelWorks.com, 8610 NW 107th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, 64153
Four different styles of loading hatches will be offered: round aluminum (CMO – left), straight trough (KCS – center), combination trough/round stainless steel fill hatches (UP – right). Not pictured here are combination trough/square fill hatches for CHTT and CITX. Preproduction samples shown, subject to further revisions.
The arrows highlight two different jack plate styles – Narrow jacking/pull plate vs. wide jacking/pull plate, applied per prototype represented. Preproduction samples shown, subject to further revisions.
The CEFX car features a late-production 11-panel body, straight trough fill hatches, Miner single discharge gates, car-end impactor, wide jacking/pull plates, and a car vent on each end right of center. Pre-production sample shown, subject to further revisions.
