SDSRM Hopper Cars are Here!

Santa came early here at the South Dakota State Railroad Museum. We have periodically ordered small batches of custom model railroad cars in the past. There was 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017...

But those of us on the board would like to see these custom cars become a regular item for sale in our gift shop and eventually our online store (yes, we're working on it.) For 2025 we decided to revive the tradition with a small run of 50 twin-bay coal hoppers customized for the museum by Accurail Inc.

Accurail is an American company whose product line is 100% manufactured right here in the US. Somehow they've managed to keep their prices competitive with bigger names like Walthers and Athearn. That's why we're happy to support Accurail with custom cars in our own livery.

Of the 53 cars that came in the mail, we've already sold 23 of them so you'll want to act fast!

"How do I order?" You are probably asking the screen right now. The best way to order a car is to contact the museum by phone: 605-574-9000.

Call in and Twyla will be happy to fill out and order form for you. And if you get the answering machine, leave a message and she will get back to you as soon as possible.

You can also stop into the museum on the 23rd, 24th, 27th, and 28th. Please see our hours on the home page. If you live local, we'll be happy to arrange a time where you can pick up your car. Otherwise, here is the cost breakdown:

Each car: $45 plus tax. 50% goes to Accurail, 50% goes to the museum.

Shipping and Handling: $15. This is good for 1-3 cars.

These cars are HO scale (1/87th). It is the most popular model railroading scale, but if you are hoping for offerings in N, S, O, or G we are on the lookout for opportunities to do custom runs in those scales as well.