Model Railroading > Available Now! All-New ExactRail's Bethlehem 3737 Hopper!

Available now!

The Bethlehem 3737/3716 Hopper is an icon railcar of the last quarter century, and ExactRail is pleased to announce the third release of the Bethlehem 3737/3716 Hoppers in 4 all new paint schemes and undecorated kits!

With over 10,000 units produced, this is one of the most prolific, Western steel hoppers of last 40 years.  The first Bethlehem 3737/3716 delivery went to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois in 1973, and subsequent orders went to the Texas & Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Chicago & North Western as well as various utilities, like Indianapolis Power and Light.  Many of these are still in service as of 2014, and many have been rebuilt into 4000 capacity cars—which, ExactRail also offers!

ExactRail is offering five all-new paint schemes, undecorated kits and new road numbers for four popular MP paint schemes:

·      Chicago & North Western (CNW) Bicentennial Car: The CNW #135799 hopper is an exceptionally accurate replica of the prototype bicentennial car.  In 1976, Bethlehem fulfilled a 200-car order for 3737 capacity cars for the Chicago & North Western, and the bicentennial paint scheme was the last car in this order.  These cars were moved into Powder River Basin coal service, and the bicentennial car continues to serve the Union Pacific today in its bicentennial paint scheme. The Chicago & North Western Historical Society (CNWHS) was looking for an exceptionally accurate replica for their 2016 annual convention, and we were more than enthusiastic when they chose us. The bicentennial paint scheme was developed exclusively for the Chicago and North Western Historical Society (CNWHS).  You can find it only at www.CNWHS.org.

·    Chicago & North Western (CNW) 1971 ‘As Delivered” Hopper: This all-new paint scheme represents the first delivery of 3737 capacity cars to the Chicago and North Western.  These cars were purchased specifically for Powder River Basin coal traffic, which traffic segment was in rapid growth for the CNW.  ExactRail’s model was developed in collaboration with the Chicago & North Western Historical Society, and it features CNW’s Ball and Bar logo and industry-leading lettering and paint details.  These cars would look great interspersed with 13500-135799 series cars from ExactRail.com. 

·      Missouri Pacific (MP) 1984 “Small Eagle” repaint scheme:  In June of 1984, the Union Pacific/Missouri Pacific organization repainted a large number of Bethlehem 3737 and 3716 hoppers into a scheme that we call “small eagle” repaints.   These cars are exceptionally accurate models of the 3737-repaint scheme with all new numbers.  We recommend you mix this paint scheme with the sister “Small Eagle” repaint scheme of the 3716 capacity cars and capture detail and nuance that is only offered by ExactRail.

·     Missouri Pacific (MP) 1984 “Small Eagle” repaint scheme:  In June of 1984, the Union Pacific/Missouri Pacific organization repainted a large number of Bethlehem 3737 and 3716 hoppers into a scheme that we call “small eagle” repaints with all new numbers   These cars are exceptionally accurate models of the 3716-repaint scheme. We recommend you mix these with the sister “Small Eagle” repaint scheme of the 3737 capacity cars and capture detail and nuance that is only offered by ExactRail. 

·     Union Pacific (MP) #588400 repaint scheme:  As you’ve come to expect, ExactRail has drilled down beyond offering accurate paint schemes to offer accurate paint schemes of specific road numbers.  This enables you to model to the mixed paint schemes of modern unit coal trains down to specific cars!  Among other things, MP #588400 has accurate H-100-41 class marks, 1991 repaint dates, capacity data and lessee stencils.

·      Union Pacific (MP) #588145 repaint scheme: As you’ve come to expect, ExactRail has drilled down beyond offering accurate paint schemes to offer accurate paint schemes of specific road numbers.  This enables you to model to the mixed paint schemes of modern unit coal trains down to specific cars!  Among other things, MP #588400 has accurate H-100-39 class marks, 1991 repaint dates, capacity data and lessee stencils. 

·       Indianapolis Power & Light (EWSX) 1973 “As Delivered” paint scheme:  Utility companies leased or purchased Bethlehem 3737 hoppers to move coal to Midwestern power companies.  Indianapolis Power & Light painted their #10051-10100 series cars with yellow panels and a large Reddy Kilowatt figure.  ExactRail has rendered with exceptionally accuracy this striking paint scheme.

To know more about our attention to detail, please see our video on YouTube entitled ExactRail Overview of Bethlehem 3483 and 3737 Hoppers--Northwest RPM.

ExactRail's Bethlehem 3737/3716 is complete with exclusive features, including: 

·      4 all-new paint schemes and undecorated kits!
·     Extraordinary attention to letter accuracy and placement.
·     ExactRail’s equalized 100 ton ASF Ride Control Trucks
·     Machined metal wheel sets and axles
·     Kadee  #58 “scale” couplers
·     Narrow-style draft box, featuring: key detail, shank wedges, striker castings and full nut and bolt detail
·     Accurate Bethlehem 3737/3716 details, including:
          Single door Wine locks
          4’ 10.5” vertical brake lever
          Welded top chord gussets
          Sub center sill brake rod
          Etched metal slake adjustor guard
          Interior braces
          Interior wheel well panels
          Floor mounted air reservoir
·     Wire coupler cut levers, grab irons, brake rods and lever hangers!
·     Heap and Flood style loads!

To view our gallery of photos and to learn more, please visit ExactRail.com.

Happy Railroading!

Blaine Hadfield

ExactRail 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/16 09:58 by choochooboy.

---

---

---

A few more photos.

Blaine Hadfield

ExactRail

---

---

---

One last image.

Blaine Hadfield

ExactRail

---

Does anyone have photos of the Indianapolis Power & Light hopper besides the one on the Exactrail site. Found one for a car in the previous car series and one in the series after  car 10100. Glad to see Exactrail do this car.

Larry​

Yes, Blaine and company did great with these IPL cars. 

I have a few poor black and white newspaper photos of the ICG buillt IPL cars in the prior series and the 200** cars in the next series.  The IC built cars had the Reddy painted on a small yellow sign, while the 200** were an exact match to these Exactrail cars.  Unfortunately, I've never found quality color photos of either, or the later 300** cars delivered with a simple IPALCO painting.  These were later renumbered by adding a "6" to the first number.1000110050ICG3834Sep-72RK - Sign50   1005110101Bethlehem3737May-73RK - Paint51 70051701171010210106Bethlehem3737Aug-74RK - Paint5 70051701171010710117Bethlehem3737  11 70051701172000120049Bethlehem3737Sep-74RK - Paint49 80001800552005120055Bethlehem3737  5 80001800553000130141Bethlehem3737Oct-75IPALCO141 9000190141      312   Pat Sanders with Trainworx helped me research this during last year, confirmed with Jim Eager.
 
Gerald D.