Athearn Ready To Roll IMCX PS 4427 Covered Hopper Freight Car 11297
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
N
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Ready To Roll
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Hopper
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
PS 4427 Covered Hopper
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
ATH-2391
The name of the railroad or owner.
International Minerals & Chemical (IMCX)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
11297
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
IMCX
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
Prototype Details
The builder of the real-world equipment (e.g., EMD, GE, ACF).
ALCO
The build date, if printed on the model.
-
The rebuild date, if printed on the model.
-
The reweigh date, if printed on the model.
-
The earliest time period appropriate for this item.
Contemporary (2005 - Present)
Deregulation (1980 - 1995)
Second Generation Diesel (1960 - 1980)
The specific decades during which this item would be prototypical in revenue service.
1980s
1970s
1960s
1950s
The approximate length of the car in feet.
-
Specific measurements of the model or prototype. Format: [Type] [Value] (e.g. IL 40'6").
Allowed types:
• IL (Inside Length)
• IW (Inside Width)
• IH (Inside Height)
• OL (Outside Length)
• OW (Outside Width)
• OH (Outside Height)
• EH (Eaves Height)
• EW (Eaves Width)
• EXH (Extreme Height)
• EXW (Extreme Width)
-
Volume or weight capacity markings as labeled on the model or prototype. Format: [Type] [Value] (e.g. CUFT 3000).
Allowed types:
• CUFT (Cubic Feet)
• CAPY (Nominal Capacity)
• LDLMT (Load Limit)
• LTWT (Light Weight)
• GRL (Gross Rail Load)
• MAX WGT (Max Cargo Weight)
• GAL (Gallons)
• US GAL (US Gallons)
• IMP GAL (Imperial Gallons)
• LITERS (Liters)
• KG (Kilograms)
• SHELL (Shell Capacity)
• DOME (Dome Capacity)
• WATER CAPY (Water Capacity)
• ICE CAPY (Ice Bunker Capacity)
• BKR CAPY (Bunker Capacity)
• LEVEL (Level Full Capacity)
-
Availability
The date the model was announced by the manufacturer.
-
The estimated arrival date for the model provided by the manufacturer at the time of announcement.
March 2026
The actual date the model became available at retailers.
-
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price at the time of announcement.
-
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
N
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Ready To Roll
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Hopper
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
PS 4427 Covered Hopper
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
ATH-2391
The name of the railroad or owner.
International Minerals & Chemical (IMCX)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
11297
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
IMCX
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
N
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Ready To Roll
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Hopper
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
PS 4427 Covered Hopper
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
ATH-2391
The name of the railroad or owner.
International Minerals & Chemical (IMCX)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
11297
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
IMCX
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
The official description provided by the manufacturer.
Pullman-Standard dominated the covered hopper car market beginning in the 1950s, thanks to the design success of their PS-2 series of covered hoppers. In 1964 the 4427 cubic foot capacity covered hoppers were introduced. PS responded to increasing demand for efficiency by the railroads and shippers alike, carrying more per trip then the 40' boxcars with the signode grain door. Designed to carry bulk commodities, such as grain, these cars roamed the rails of North America for decades, attesting to their utilitarian functionality. These cars can still be seen today in service.
Additional community-contributed notes or observations.
Initial Source: 05_ATHN_PS_4427_Hopper_092724.pdf