Operating Era: 1904-1950. New York Central, Oregon Short Line, Chicago, Lake Shore & Eastern, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania RR. So successful were the Pennsylvania GL hoppers that Pressed Steel Car Co. offered a generic version to the trade in 1899. It was 18" shorter than the GL and used different door lock mechanism. Thousands of these cars were sold through 1904 and ran for 40 to 50 years. NYC ordered 2,600 cars for its Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie and Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny subsidiaries in between 1899 and 1904. Decals allow all road names and several lettering styles to be modeled. Safety appliances were added in the 'teens. Union Pacific ordered 601 cars for its Oregon Short line subsidiary in 1899- 1900. Delivered before the Harriman takeover, they were lettered in the archaic style and relettered to Harriman standard before 1906. We offer both styles in the kit. Modernized with safety appliances in the 'teens, they ran well into the 1940's. Chicago Lake Shore & Eastern was part of the U.S. Steel conglomerate, itself controlling hundreds of miles of track in the Chicago-Milwaukee-Joliet area. 301 cars were received in 1899, odd numbers 9001-9601. CLS&E was absorbed by C&EI in 1909 and in 1911 the cars were listed as being repainted to the road. However, they are not in the 1913 roster and presumed sold. Lehigh Valley received 1,100 cars in November 1899, numbered 20001-21100. A photo in Railway Age Gazette of May 2, 1900 publicized the cars and the increase in capacity of LV cars over the previous 30 years. Since the cars ran into the 1930's they had to receive safety appliances. PLEASE NOTE: The Rio Grande Western/D&RGW version was found to be incorrect. However, some decals are still available for these versions (D2404 & D2454). If you want one of the RGW/D&RGW versions, please order the undecorated kit (#2400 or #2450) and the appropriate decal.