These models were originally manufactired in New Jersey (starting in about 1976). Production was later moved to China. They are currently sold under the Atlas "Trainman" line. Earlier versions came with Rapido-style couplers.
Trainman features -
- Colorful painting and printing
- Removeable cement container load
- Rivet detail
- Detailed underframe
- Ready-to-run
- AccuMateŽ couplers
I'm told that this model is based on an old Varney HO car from the 1950's (which itself was based on a never-produced USRA prototype). The closest real world example is reportedly a C&EI prototype (converted from a drop-bottom gondola). In any case, steel-sided 42' gondolas of this general type date back to at least the 1930s. They are used to transport just about anything that can be loaded using an overheard crain - coal, garbage, cable, railroad ties, iron, logs, piling, pipe poles, posts, rip rap, rock, rods, scrap metal, steel, tin, tubes, wire (and on and on).