Description
In 1995, Trinity Industries introduced a new center-sill design covered hopper car designed primarily for grain transport. The new design was visually quite different - this one featured curved sides versus previously familiar rib-sided design adopted from Pullman-Standard. The new 5161 cubic-foot capacity design along with the recently introduced allowable 286,000 lbs GRL (Gross Rail Loading) brought a new standard to the industry (Trinity's competition were ACF and Thrall).
Initial deliveries went to Trinity's leasing component and to ADM Transportation, a large private company heavily invested in grain products. Within months, deliveries to the other “grain” companies began rolling down the steel rails. Eventually, the traditional grain railroads jumped in on the game with BNSF leading the pack.
The 5161 grain variants have long trough hatches usually broken into sections for easy opening. The outlets on grain cars are usually gravity-only and vary by manufacturer. Fixed shaker brackets can be found on the hopper sides.
However, not all the 5161s are for grain-products. BNSF has a good-sized fleet of cars used for sugar transport that feature round-hatches in elongated hatches, gravity-pneumatic gates and have special interior lining. Other variations include round-hatch only cars for chemical transport and cars being used for the potash and fertilizer industry.
Currently, the design is still in production with over 27,000 units being delivered and this model stands as being the most popular grain car in today's market.
Founded in 1888 as the West End Brewing Company by Francis Xavier Matt, F.X. Matt Brewing Company is the forth oldest brewery in the United States. In 1920, Prohibition under the 18th Amendment of the US Constitution prohibited the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcohol in the United States. While many other breweries went out of business as a result, F.X. Matt’s West End Brewery survived producing Utica Club line of soft drinks and several other non-alcoholic beverages. With the appeal of Prohibition in 1933, the West End Brewing Company is the first in the nation to obtain a license and the first to sell beer using the Utica Club label. Walter J. Matt followed his father taking the helm of the company in 1951. The second generation family made the Utica Club brand a household name through very popular advertising campaigns featuring “Schultz & Dooley” beer steins voiced by comedian Jonathan Winters in the 1960’s. Walter Matt expanded the product line with new brands including Matt’s Premium, Maximus, and Fort Schuyler. In the early 1970’s, FX Matt’s introduced an innovative new concept; the Beer Ball and its popularity quickly takes the northeast by storm. A third family generation; FX Matt II takes over in 1980 and begins to focus on the burgeoning craft beer movement and releases a new lager called “Saranac 1888”, named for the upcoming 100th anniversary of the brewery in 1985. The brewery’s Saranac Adirondack Lager is judged the top premium lager at The Great American Beer Festival in 1991 and it becomes the company’s flagship brand. Five years later, F.X. Matt introduces the first variety craft beer mixed pack called Saranac Adirondack Trail Mix, which featured 4 distinctly different styles of beer based on heritage recipes. In 2000, the brewery reintroduced its Saranac 1888 Soft Drinks based on original recipes earning awards and gaining new fans around the world. In 2019 a $56 million dollar brewery expansion was completed adding a new brew house, tank farm and additional can line. In 2022, “Clouded Dream IPA” wins 4 Gold Medals. Most recently F.X. Matt purchased a long-time contract partner “Flying Dog Brewery”.
Features Include:
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Jr Junction Train & Hobby original design and specific details
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Metal stirrups and grab irons
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Trucks have rotating bearing caps
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Etched-metal roof walk and safety platforms
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Different hatch styles as appropriate per road name
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Die-cast trucks and couplers
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Authentically detailed paint schemes
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Length: Approx. 14.5"
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Height: Approx. 3.9"
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Minimum diameter curve (3-Rail): O-54
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Minimum radius (2-Rail) : 36"