Here we see another example of the difficulties of the "preorder" world. Nobody knows for sure if this will be a rerun of old MDC tooliing (in which case, the artwork is wrong) or new tooling (in which case, we are left trying to discern the prototype). And the "prototype info" provided by the manufacturer...
PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:
The development of the hopper car went along with the development of automated handling of such commodities, with automated loading and unloading facilities.
Open hopper cars are used for commodities such as coal, which can suffer exposure with less detrimental effect. Hopper cars have been used by railways worldwide whenever automated cargo handling has been desired.
Seriously? I am going to assume that virtually EVERYONE who subscribes to the Athearn newsletter knew that much before they looked at their page. How about what we actually need to know, like, what is the prototype for this model? Or what year? or what manufacturer? or........
Why did they bother to waste the ink? Or electrons....
