The Freight Yard - 2101C - Covered Hopper, 3-Bay, PS-2-CD 4750 - Missouri Farmers Association - 14940

Model Information: Precision Masters first released this body style in kit form. Later on, they released the same body as a RTR (Ready-to-Run) model. In 2005, Red Caboose acquired this tooling from PM. Red Caboose released this model in RTR form. The 4740 model can be distinguished from the 4750 model by counting the ribs. The 4740 has 16 ribs and the 4750 has 18 ribs. The ribs on the 4750 are a little chubbier as well.

Fox Valley later acquired all N Scale toolings from Red Caboose and proceeded to re-release an updated version of the 4750 PS-2 Covered Hopper in 2017. The new versions carry MTL body-mounted couplers and low-profile blackened-metal wheels.

Prototype History: Manufactured by Pullman Standard from 1972 through the 1990's at least, these 4750 Cu. Ft. Hoppers were considered the 'Standard of the Industry' at the time. It is one of the most common freight cars in the rail scene since the late '70's. Features unique to this car include the 18 vertical posts on the car side (19 panel side) and compound curve roof (called by some a clerestory roof).
The 4,740 and 4,750 designs are often mistaken for each other, although the 4,750 has two more panels.

Road Name History: MFA Incorporated is a Midwest-based regional agricultural Cooperative serving more than 45,000 farmer/owners in Missouri and adjacent states. Founded on March 10, 1914, MFA (which once stood for Missouri Farmers Association) traces its beginnings to a one-room schoolhouse near Brunswick, Mo. In Newcomer School on March 10, 1914, seven farmers met to discuss an article by William Hirth. Hirth owned a magazine called the Missouri Farmer and Breeder. In his magazine, Hirth called for formation of farm clubs. Seven Brunswick-area farmers (Aaron Bachtel, Tom Penick, Will Heisel, George Heisel, Earl Smutz, John Kohl and Will Armstrong) met to discuss Hirth's article and soon placed the first cooperative order for 1,150 pounds of baler twine.

By banding together for economic strength, members of the Newcomers Schoolhouse Farm Club saved $400 in several group transactions. Hirth handled the orders free of charge. From that meeting emerged a cooperative that grew to become the largest business enterprise in the state. By the 1920s, MFA represented 400 local cooperatives. William Hirth was MFA's first president, serving until his death in 1940. Fred V. Heinkel served as president from 1940 through 1979 and oversaw a period of tremendous growth in MFA memberships, income, and associated businesses.
Today, it is based in Columbia, Missouri. The cooperative created independent companies to serve its members: MFA Oil in 1929 and Shelter Insurance in 1946.

Brand/Importer Information: The Freight Yard was a hobby shop that did custom decoration and special runs of other manufacturers' N Scale products. It sold its custom products under several brands or collections: Premiere Editions, by The Freight Yard and Dreams Design.
It was located in Anaheim, California and then moved to 2006 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Established in the late 1980s, it stopped business under this name by the end of the 2000s.
The Freight Yard was owned and operated by Darren J. Cohen. Darren is now operating North Valley Trains.
The Freight Yard / Premiere Editions runs are usually available in series of two to twelve different numbers (suffixed A to M, with I not used).
The first two digits of the stock number correspond to the release year (9x being 199x, and 2x being 200x).