Here is DS 4-4-1000 at Darby Creek in the mid 60's.

Revisiting the topic of covered hoppers, below is an article (with a very nice drawing) by Eric Neubauer that appeared in the October 83 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. I’ve also included the only photo I have of an LOs class covered hopper no. 78737 taken at the Reading yards sometime in the mid 80s. A picture of this same car also appears in the article.

At this point in time, I would assume almost all LO class covered hoppers have left active service.

It would be nice if one of the RTR manufacturers (Tangent, Exactrail, Athearn, etc.) would offer a detailed HO version of the LO covered hopper. Too bad Rail Yard Models is now out of business, they could have done an excellent resin kit of this car.

It shouldn't be too difficult to get a modeler's chisel tip (Micro-Mark has several great ones) and trim down the ribs on a full ribbed model. Do they have those in HO? I would figure it'd be a common model to start with.

Here is another eBay photo that would make an interesting model.

Francis in Sunbury, Pa.

notice the "R" and the "A" do not have the centers painted in.

While the plow itself is very interesting, check out those hoppers in background. The assignments even vary in 1954!

Francis A. Pehowic, Jr.