ACF 5250 Plastics Covered Hopper

Prototype Information

ACF introduced the 5250 covered hopper in the late 1960s to handle high-capacity bulk loads. The 5,250-cubic-foot design targeted lighter-density commodities like grain, flour, malt, and plastic pellets. Its welded steel body and Center Flow construction gave the car a smooth interior that made unloading easier and reduced contamination. The 5250 used three bays with gravity outlets and a roof lined with multiple loading hatches. ACF built them into the 1980s, and railroads and private shippers moved them across North America in huge numbers. Many still run today, often rebuilt and repainted for new owners.