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New ARHS-09 decal sheet

Reading Class HTv Offset Side 55 ton Steel Hopper with Speed Lettering
 

THE MODEL

This is an Atlas Trainman two bay offset side hopper (previously part of Atlas' regular line), ready to run with blackened metal wheels and AccuMate knuckle couplers installed.  It is painted in the second Reading "Anthracite" scheme with speed lettering, with all printing done by Atlas except the road numbers.  For 2006, it has a NEW decal sheet with at least 10 NEW complete road numbers, and over a hundred more can be easily made with only one splice of the decals.  The Rail Graphics decals were created from Atlas' artwork, so are a perfect match for the printing on the model.

300 of these hoppers have been produced in 2006 exclusively for sale by ARHS.

THE PROTOTYPE

A second order of 1,000 of the class HTv hoppers, numbered 87000 - 87999, were built during 1953 - 1957.  This order was delivered with the same anthracite herald as the first order, but with "speed" lettering replacing the Roman lettering of the 83000 - 86699 series.  Most were rebuilt into Class HTc in the early 1960's, but 157 still remained in this series when the the Reading was absorbed into Conrail.  Many if not all of these remaining cars had their hopper doors blanked off and were used as gondolas in sand service.