HO Scale Hopper Cars

Like tank cars, hopper cars are the workhorse cars for bulk commodities. For coal, cement, sand, fertilizer, wheat and even sugar, hopper cars are essential to moving products from field to factory. Covered hoppers protect agricultural and other bulk loads from weather. Open ones handle coal - trains of up to hundreds of cars still bring this essential fuel-source out of Pennsylvania mines. (Watching a coal train can challenge the most meticulous of car-counters!)

HO scale hopper cars reflect both the need for stable loading and the mechanics of moving loads to other means of transport. You may even wish to add an HO scale model truck bay to your layout to complete the experience of working with hopper cars. For young railroaders, hopper cars provide great geography lessons as well as a fine rail experience.