ACF Flexi-Flo Hopper
Prototype Information
American Car & Foundry (ACF) built the PD3500 covered hopper between August 1964 and June 1966. It pioneered pressure differential unloading and earned the nickname “Flexi Flo” from its main customer, the New York Central (NYC). Only seven cars went to Shippers Car Line (SHPX); the rest—220 cars—went to NYC in three slightly different batches.
After the Penn Central merger, many cars received PC markings, though some kept their NYC paint. Under Conrail, the cars gained multiple paint schemes. They spread beyond the Northeast, moving through Merchants Despatch (MDTX) and later to NAHX and SXSX/SYSX for use across the U.S. and parts of Canada. By the 2000s, patchouts created a mix of reporting marks. Many cars stayed in service into the mid-2010s, retiring only when they reached the 50-year interchange limit.
The PD3500’s design changed quickly over its two-year production. Modern models replicate the different rib and weld patterns and the 125-ton Barber S-2 trucks used under many NYC cars.
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Rapido HO ACF Flexi-Flo Hopper Conrail “Scale Test”
$50.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Rapido HO ACF Flexi-Flo Hopper Lafarge
$50.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
