GATX Pressure-Slide "Whale Belly" Cement Hoppers

GATX Pressure-Slide "Whale Belly" Cement Hoppers
CB&Q, BN, SAL, SCL, CSX and Dragon Products (DPCX) versions

Railway Classics' first freight car is the unique, GATX Pressure-Slide cement hoppers that affectionately became known as the "Whale Belly" hoppers. We offered these cars in six different paint schemes that covers nearly a 40-year period from 1965 to the present. We are offered multiple road numbers for operating enthusiast and collector. Don't miss out on adding at least one of these unusual cars to your collection - order yours soon!

Builder: LIK
Factory finished only - with Kadee® No. 5 couplers installed - multiple road numbers

Code	Description	Status	Retail
CBQ-LO9	Chicago Burlington & Quincy Class LO-9 5 road numbers in the 84950-84999 range	Sold Out	$285.00
BN-LO9	Burlington Northern Class LO-9 5 road numbers in the 495000-495049 range	Sold Out	$285.00
SAL-LS21	Seaboard Air Line Class LS21 5 road numbers in the 7050-7099 range	Sold Out	$285.00
SCL-LS21	Seaboard Coast Line Class LS21 4 road numbers in the 747050-747099 range	Sold Out	$285.00
CSX-LS21	CSX Class LS21 4 road numbers in the 976600-976649 range	Sold Out	$285.00
DPCX	Dragon Products 3 road numbers (300, 302, 2806)	Sold Out	$285.00

See your dealer to order yours now!


CBQ-LO9 George Speir Photo	SAL-LS21 Stan Jackowski Photo	CSX-LS21 Warren Calloway Photo

BN-LO9 Peter Arnold Photo	SCL-LS21 Gary Riccio Photo	DPCX Doug Clark Photo

Brief History
In 1965, General American Transportation Corporation (GATX), designed a new-style covered hoppers called “Pressure-Slide” for the transporting of dry bulk material. They provided only one compartment that was pneumatically discharged using an elaborate low pressure (50-80 p.s.i.) air ductwork system. The unique shape of the tank quickly led to their nickname, “whale-belly hoppers.” The 38’ 7” long cars had a capacity of 2,800 cubic feet (100-ton) of material.

The Seaboard Air Line (SAL) purchased 50 from GATX in 1966. Classed LS-21, they were assigned road Nos. 7050 through 7099. These were equipped with A-3 Ride Control trucks and Timkin roller bearings. All cars were assigned to service out of Lehigh, FL.

The SAL cars became Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) cars 747050 through 747099 in 1967. Some of these cars are still in service on the CSX.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q) purchased 50 of these cars from GAT Corp. in January 1967. Classed LO-9, they were assigned road Nos. 84950 through 84999. An unusual feature of these cars was the obvious omission of a Burlington Route herald from the paint scheme. They were immediately placed in cement service over the whole system.

The CB&Q cars became Burlington Northern (BN) cars 495000 through 495049 in 1970 and were eventually repainted with black, stacked Burlington Northern lettering and a large BN logo. After being removed from service on the BN some were sold to Dragon Cement, a northeastern cement company and are still in service with bold DRAGON lettering on their sides.

Railway Classics sets the standard for accuracy, innovation and detailÓ.