Trinity 3 Bay Hopper

Prototype Information

Trinity Industries revolutionized dry bulk transport by acquiring legacy designs from Pullman-Standard and North American Car Corporation in the 1980s. Their most significant breakthrough came in 1995 with the introduction of the 5161 cubic-foot covered hopper. This model moved away from traditional ribbed sides in favor of a curved-side design that maximized interior volume. By utilizing the 286,000 lbs gross rail load standard, Trinity allowed railroads to haul significantly more product per car than previous generations.

The 5161 design quickly became the primary workhorse for the North American grain and fertilizer industries. It features a continuous trough hatch for rapid loading and three gravity gates for efficient unloading at silos and processing plants. Trinity has produced over 27,000 units of this specific model, making it a ubiquitous sight on modern freight trains. Its durability and high capacity have cemented its status as the industry standard for moving agricultural commodities across the continent.