Burlington Northern Trough Train Intermediate Unit

Developed by the Burlington Northern railroad and constructed by Johnstown America in 1994, the Trough Train was unparalleled in American railroading. Consisting of 13 units each, 23 articulated cars were built to haul coal from the Western states. Often paired with SD70MACs in Grinstein green, they represented the pinnacle of BN innovation. They lasted well into the BNSF era, surviving until 2004. A failure of an articulation joint, and susqeuent derailment, prompted the railroad to pull the cars from service.

This is the first time the Trough Train has been produced in any scale. Each unit is availible separately, allowing the customer to build their train in any configuration, from just the two end units, to the full 13-unit car. Each end of the car is different. You will notice an 'upper' and 'lower' articulation joint. The truck is screwed to the lower one, while the upper one of the adjacent car rests on top. The truck screw should pass through both to link the two units. Owners of the Intermountain/A-Line Thrall well car should understand. Simply lift up the last unit to disassemble and store the model.

To construct a prototypical consist, you will need:
(1) A-Unit
(1) B-Unit
​(7) Intermediate units (this product)
(4) Intermediate units with brake equipment
(2) National Unitruck III trucks (one for each end unit)
Each articulation joint requires a 1/4" 2-56 screw and a 100-ton roller bearing truck with 36" wheels
Drop-type grab irons
Straight grab irons
Air hoses 
Coupler cut levers
Brake wheel (one for each intermediate unit with brake equipment)
Ladders for end units (Tichy or other)
Kadee Couplers
2-56 screw for coupler box cover
(2) 36" wheelsets (one for each Unitruck)
Optional coal for load

Construction:
Paint  car
Screw on truck to lower articulation joint