Covered Hoppers
For Chemicals, also see Tank Cars

Covered Hoppers are the most numerous car type in the North American fleet. Based upon shipper requirements, covered hoppers are produced for a specific commodity type, and utilize either a gravity discharge or pneumatic discharge system. Gravity cars are commonly used for commodities like grain, fertilizer, cement and silica sand and feature "trough" type loading hatches. Pneumatic discharge cars are favored for high value commodities where product contamination is a problem and feature circular hatches for tighter loading. Plastic resins, pellets, chemicals, flour and refined sugar are the leading commodities which utilize pneumatic discharge covered hoppers to ensure against product contamination.

New Car Features, AAR Plate "C" for Plastic Resin Service:
66' 10.5'' length, 286,000 lbs. capacity
Estimated lightweight 64,200 lbs.
Extreme height 15' 6'', extreme width 10' 2.75"
Cubic Capacity 5,810 cu ft
20" diameter circular hatches
Four lined compartments with pneumatic outlets
Useful life of 40-50 years