Freight
Reading Company 3-Bay Hopper, Class HTZ, #40074, #40150
Background & History
3-Bay Hoppers #40074 and 40150 were part of Reading Class HTZ originally built with 87 Ton ratings capable of carrying 2868 cu. ft. They were 45’ long. Car 40047 was built in February of 1962. Car 40150 was built in March of 1962, both cars being built by Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown, PA. Class HTZ was a group of 400 cars wearing car numbers 40001 thru 40400.
These cars were initially assigned to ore service and were stenciled for ORE SERVICE BETWEEN JOANNA, CORNWALL, AND BETHELEHEM. The stencil was placed in the orange panel as shown in the picture above. Newer cars were usually assigned to ore service, as the discharge chutes under the car were tighter and limited the loss of ore pellets while in route. Eventually the cars were used in coal service as well.
3 Bay Hopper #40150 sits at Temple, PA, date unknown.
(Photo Courtesy Charles Murphy, Jr., MP&RE Collection)
Original paint scheme for the Class HTZ Hopper as shown in the Craig T. Bossler “RDG Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment” book available at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum store.
Car 40074 was purchased from Conrail in the early 1990’s while car 40150 was donated to us by the Reading & Northern in 2002.
Both cars are scheduled to be restored and repainted into their original Speed Lettering paint scheme, black of course.