Rapido (169046-5) | AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Coal Hopper w/ Load | Duke Power DKPX #730067 | HO Scale

Product Description

Beginning production in 2004, the all-aluminum body prototype has been produced in the thousands and has traversed all over North America. With millions of tons of coal per year being mined and hauled out of various locations across the country, you would be hard pressed to not have seen one of these prototype cars in a modern day coal train.

This 4200 cubic foot, exterior post prototype (not to be confused with other prototype exterior post or interior post models) is primarily used as a rapid discharge car which can unload the payload in a matter of seconds via the bottom bay doors. However, the car can also be equipped with rotary couplers, as indicated by the color blocks on the end of the car, for either rotary or bottom discharge unloading based on the infrastructure at the final destination.

Duke Power DKPX

The DKPX reporting marks represent equipment associated with Duke Power, one of the major electric utility companies that historically served the southeastern United States. Like many large utility companies, Duke Power relied heavily on rail transportation to move coal to its power generating stations, making privately owned freight cars an important part of its operations. The DKPX marks were commonly seen on coal hoppers and other utility-related rolling stock that traveled across rail networks delivering fuel essential for electricity production throughout the Carolinas and surrounding regions.

Duke Power became well known for its extensive partnership with railroads such as Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern, CSX, and Seaboard System, helping create some of the heaviest and most efficient unit coal train operations in the Southeast. Massive strings of coal hoppers carrying the DKPX marks became a familiar sight to railfans, often operating in dedicated unit trains between Appalachian coal fields and Duke Power generating plants. These trains played a critical role in powering the region’s rapid industrial and population growth during the second half of the twentieth century.

Today, DKPX-marked equipment remains popular among railroad enthusiasts and modelers because it represents a classic era of heavy-haul coal transportation and utility railroad operations. The simple yet recognizable markings capture an important piece of southeastern railroading history and the close relationship between America’s railroads and electric power generation.

Features

• Die-cast frame and floor for optimum car weight
• Full interior rivet and K-member details
• Super-detailed end cages including separate air and brake piping 
• Barber S-2 100-ton trucks with metal wheels
• Hopper bays feature highly-detailed outlet gates
• Etched, see-through end cross-over platforms
• Full end detail, including uncoupling levers
• Separate grab irons installed at the factory 
• Accurate paint and lettering
• Removable coal load included
• Multiple road numbers available for each scheme
• Available in singles or multi-packs*
• Multi-packs boxed for individual sale