The Atlas Master N Scale 41' Ballast Hopper is based on cars that haul ballast and other necessary materials on work trains. For railroads, the maintenance of their tracks and right of way is a pivotal part to their success and safety. In order to keep a well-balanced and smooth roadbed means a good portion of ballast must be laid down and reapplied when necessary. Usually a string of ballast hoppers are called in for this job. Unlike a regular open top hopper car, ballast hoppers have specialized gates at the bottom of the bed that allows the ballast to be spread to the sides of the rail. Most railroads have their own fleet, but also will lease from companies outside companies. The Atlas 41' Ballast Hopper will help your railroad accomplish necessary track work. This model features a detailed, injection-molded body, fine decoration and free-rolling trucks with knuckle couplers. The 41' Ballast Hopper is part of the line of Atlas and Trainman N Scale hoppers.