Thrall 5150 and 5250 cu-ft Hopper Cars

The Thrall 5150 and 5250 hopper cars share the same exterior dimensions--58' 1/2" over the couplers, 15' 6" high, and 10' 8" wide--and a nearly identical exterior appearance.  The difference lies in the slopes of the car floor--the 5250 has end slopes at a shallower angle (37 degrees instead of 40) which increases interior capacity by 100 cu-ft.  The two can be told apart by the sheet metal at the ends--the fourth rung of the side ladder on the 5150 is fully exposed, while on the 5250 the side panel overlaps the very end of the rung.  The 5250 also has a notch in the panel just above the ladder.
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Michael Eby 2006