GATX Pressure-Slide "Whale Belly" Cement Hoppers
CB&Q, BN, SAL, SCL, CSX and Dragon Products (DPCX) versions 

Railway Classics' first freight car is the unique, GATX Pressure-Slide cement hoppers that affectionately became known as the "Whale Belly" hoppers.  We offered these cars in six different paint schemes that covers nearly a 40-year period from 1965 to the present.  We are offered multiple road numbers for operating enthusiast and collector.  Don't miss out on adding at least one of these unusual cars to your collection - order yours soon!

Builder: LIK
Factory finished only - with Kadee® No. 5 couplers installed - multiple road numbers   

  Code Description Status

Retail

CBQ-LO9 Chicago Burlington & Quincy Class LO-9  
5 road numbers in the 84950-84999 range
Sold Out

$285.00

BN-LO9 Burlington Northern Class LO-9
5 road numbers in the 495000-495049 range
Sold Out

$285.00

SAL-LS21 Seaboard Air Line Class LS21
5 road numbers in the 7050-7099 range 
Sold Out

$285.00

SCL-LS21 Seaboard Coast Line Class LS21
4 road numbers in the 747050-747099 range 
Sold Out

$285.00

CSX-LS21 CSX Class LS21
4 road numbers in the 976600-976649 range
Sold Out

$285.00

DPCX Dragon Products
3 road numbers (300, 302, 2806)
Sold Out

$285.00

See your dealer to order yours now!

CBQ-LO9
George Speir Photo
SAL-LS21
Stan Jackowski Photo
CSX-LS21
Warren Calloway Photo

BN-LO9
Peter Arnold Photo
SCL-LS21
Gary Riccio Photo
DPCX
Doug Clark Photo

Brief History 
In 1965, General American Transportation Corporation (GATX), designed a new-style covered hoppers called “Pressure-Slide” for the transporting of dry bulk material.  They provided only one compartment that was pneumatically discharged using an elaborate low pressure (50-80 p.s.i.) air ductwork system.  The unique shape of the tank quickly led to their nickname, “whale-belly hoppers.”  The 38’ 7” long cars had a capacity of 2,800 cubic feet (100-ton) of material.

The Seaboard Air Line (SAL) purchased 50 from GATX in 1966.  Classed LS-21, they were assigned road Nos. 7050 through 7099.  These were equipped with A-3 Ride Control trucks and Timkin roller bearings.  All cars were assigned to service out of Lehigh, FL.

The SAL cars became Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) cars 747050 through 747099 in 1967.  Some of these cars are still in service on the CSX.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q) purchased 50 of these cars from GAT Corp. in January 1967.  Classed LO-9, they were assigned road Nos. 84950 through 84999.  An unusual feature of these cars was the obvious omission of a Burlington Route herald from the paint scheme.  They were immediately placed in cement service over the whole system.

The CB&Q cars became Burlington Northern (BN) cars 495000 through 495049 in 1970 and were eventually repainted with black, stacked Burlington Northern lettering and a large BN logo.  After being removed from service on the BN some were sold to Dragon Cement, a northeastern cement company and are still in service with bold DRAGON lettering on their sides.

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Revised: December 16, 2009 .

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