Hopper - Open Top
PRR #923711
70-ton, H21a Class, four-bay hopper used for coal service by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). The H21a class, which had over 39,000 cars, was introduced starting in 1911, with later modifications including an upgrade to 70-ton trucks in 1922 and 1923. This car type was a signature of Pennsy coal trains and many remained in service for decades, with some lasting into the Penn Central era. This was the largest single hopper car class on the PRR. The cars had a long and impressive service life, with hundreds lasting into the Penn Central era. In 1922 and 1923, many early H21 hoppers were converted to the H21a class by replacing their 50-ton trucks with 70-ton trucks. During the 1940s and 1950s, these hoppers were even leased to other railroads, such as the Norfolk & Western and Virginian railroads.