Rivet Counter HO Scale GATC 4566 Airslide Covered Hopper, BNSF/Buffer Service

The GATC 4566 Cubic Foot Airslide Covered Hopper is approximately 9 inches taller than its 4180 cubic foot counterpart, making it a “Plate C” car. In comparison, the 4180 fits within the “Plate B” clearance diagram. This makes the 4566 visually distinctive.

First built in 1978, the 4566 was used for hauling bulk commodities such as chemicals, flour, starch, sugar, etc. GATC built nearly 1,000 4566 Airslides for a variety of private and railroad customers before production ended in 1985. Today, many 4566s soldier on in their as-intended roles. Having been superseded by larger volume covered hopper designs, some 4566s have been demoted to buffer service for crude oil and ethanol unit trains.