Hopper cars are the inspiration for Hector the horrible

 

 

Hopper cars are commonly known as railroad freight cars which are primarily used for transporting coal, grain, ore and other bulk commodities. The doors which open underneath and on the sides allow cargo to be discharged; this makes the hopper car distinguishable from a gondola car. These railroad freight cars are made from two main types which are open and covered. This facilitates the automated handling of commodities relative to loading and unloading facilities.

 

Hoppers that are covered typically are for bulk cargo like sugar, grain and fertilizer because of the protection required from the elements in relation to protecting these commodities. Hoppers that are open typically are for coal because this type of material can sustain being wet or dry with least harmful consequences.

 

 

 

 

Other types of open hopper cars include Ore jennies which is a term associated with shorter open hopper car that haul taconite on Minnesota's railway system. These cars were originally designed for carrying heavy grades of iron ore pellets. Open hopper cars have been on the decline especially in North America because of the introduction of the rotary card dumper that has ability to invert the car in order to unload it. Covered hopper cars can still be found in use for materials like grains that are susceptible to damage from the weather.