Upgrading the Lionel 6-19311 Southern Pacific 4 bay covered hopper with opening hatches
This model is a very basic O-27 4 bay hopper that was issued in 1990. (BLT 1-90) It was produced by Lionel Trains Inc, Mount Clemens, Michigan.
The original car included non-sprung plastic trucks that were attached with rivets.
Custom end of car brake gear and sprung rollerbearing style trucks were added to upgrade the model.
A photo of the original SP hopper car is shown.