2893 Covered Hopper

Prototype Information

Pullman-Standard introduced the PS-2 2893 cubic-foot covered hopper in 1954 as a larger follow-up to its two-bay cement cars. The builder designed this three-bay, welded-steel car with six or eight round roof hatches to carry medium-density dry bulk cargo. While two-bay hoppers carried heavy cement, the 2893’s extra capacity made it perfect for silica sand, salt, soda ash, lime, and fertilizer.

Major North American railroads—including the Wabash, Illinois Central, Santa Fe, and New York Central—bought large fleets during the mid-to-late 1950s. As larger trough-hatch cars took over the grain trade in the 1960s, the 2893 stayed busy hauling minerals and chemicals. Many of these sturdy cars served active duty for 30 to 40 years before railroads retired them or moved them to maintenance-of-way fleets in the late 1980s and 1990s.

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