InterMountain - 65136-03 - Covered Hopper, 4-Bay, Cylindrical - Arrendadora de Carros de Ferrocarril S.A. - 816859

Specific Item Information: BLT 1-79

Model Information: These models are available in two different configurations - "Trough" hatches or "Round" hatches. Prior to their more recent "Ready-To-Run" state, they were available in kit form. Intermountain doesn't actually specify a prototype for this model, but it appears to be based on an NSC (National Steel Car) 4750 cf hopper.

Prototype History: ACF introduced their roundish cylindrical hoppers in the early 1960s. The cars differed greatly from the ribbed sided hoppers of the era. They have been made in 3-bay and 6-bay variations. These cylindrical hoppers were superseded on ACF’s production line by the Centerflow in 1964, a revolutionary design that influenced later covered hopper types. In the late 60s or early 70s Canada came out with 4-bay covered hoppers that appear to be derived from ACF’s pre-Centerflow cylindrical hoppers. These cars were used by CN, CP and various smaller Canadian shippers. There is some question as to why the Canadian builder based their design off the older cylindrical and not ACF’s newer Centerflow. It was likely a patent issue and copying it could have triggered legal action against the Canadian builders. There are also certain structural design differences between the cylindrical and centerflow cars and perhaps the decision to copy the cylindrical was based on the greater volume capacity of the cylindrical design.

Road Name History: Arrendadora Nacional de Carros de Ferrocarril S.A. de C.V. (ANCAF) is a Railcar leasing Company, fully owned by Mexican partners. It was established in 1949 and it has been an active player of the Mexican market for more than 60 years. Currently it administrates a fleet of more than 2500 freight cars, including all types of Tank cars, as well as Covered Hopper cars, Open Hoppers, Gondolas, boxcars and flatcars.
Our customer base is conformed of both Private and Public companies that require specialized railcar equipment to carry liquid or solid commodities across the Mexican Territory or in interchange throughout the United States and Canada. We also lease equipment to different railroads that require equipment to completement their fleet.
We are the only Mexican Railcar leasing company, with two full service shops, strategically located and approved by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), dedicated exclusively to repair, modify, and provide general maintenance to our own fleet as well as to units owned by the railroads, private and public companies. In Gómez Palacio, Dgo., we interchange with Ferromex and in La Granja, Ver., with Ferrosur 65 miles (100 Kms.) away from Veracruz port.
The capacity, efficiency and reliability of our operative systems, allow us a quick response to our clients necessities that translate directly as benefits to our customers. In ANCAF GROUP, we are committed to contribute to the integrity and improvement of the Mexican railroad system as an efficient and economic way to promote the commercial interchange.

Brand/Importer Information: InterMountain was founded in 1985 by Fred Brummet. They got started in the model railroad business by producing O-Scale model kits. They got started in the N Scale business almost a decade later when in 1994 they introduced the 40-23 reefer car in kit form. Later, in 1998, they started producing RTR (Ready-to-Run) models. By the early 2000s, InterMountain phased out kit production in favor of the RTR models.

The InterMountain Railway company is located at 1224 Boston Ave in Longmont, CO. They are a manufacturer of HO, N and Z scale model trains. They have produced kits as well as RTR (Ready-To-Run) models. Their N Scale products include locomotives as well as rolling stock. Their rolling stock lineup includes Boxcars, Hoppers, Tank Cars, Reefers, Gondolas, Stock Cars and Flatcars.

Their locomotive releases have primarily been diesel units, with the one major exception being their series of AC-12 Cab Forward steam locos. Their diesel lineup includes F3's, F7's, F9's, SD40's, SD45's and FT units. They are known for quality and detail. They also release their rolling stock in larger varieties of road numbers than most of the other manufacturers.