02-25-2012, 10:16 AM
You are probably looking at a kit bash. I think Athearn used to make a rib sided hopper car. I don't remember if it was an open hopper or a covered hopper. I also don't remember if it had the correct number or spacing of ribs. I know that they made a 4 bay open hopper with ribbed sides. I suspect that you will need to start with an open hopper with flat sides and ribs and either use it as is for the basis, or clean off the sides and add ribs, then fabricate the roof, add appropriate hatches, walkways, and details.