SKU: ATH-98488-PRE

PREORDER Athearn HO 98488 5-Bay Rapid Discharge Hopper, Holly Sugar (ITGX) #10000 | 45.04

10% down: $4.50
Our Price: $45.04
MSRP: $52.99

Note: You will reserve this item today for a 10% down payment of $4.50. Approximately 30-45 days before your item is expected at the warehouse, we will invoice you $40.54 plus shipping and any applicable taxes.

How Preorders Work

Expected release date is Feb 09, 2026


Quantity


30-Day Hassle-Free Returns

Description

The unit train concept was pioneered by Ortner Freight Car Co. in 1960 as an effort to streamline bulk cargo unloading. Robert Ortner, developer of the rapid-discharge door system, targeted unloading a train of rapid discharge cars in 30 minutes to an hour. Previously this same task would take four hours or longer. Unit trains shuttle back and forth between mines and power plants eliminating dwell time in yards. The concept has become ubiquitous to the modern railroading scene. In more recent years many of these cars have been converted to sugar beet hauling service and had capacity extensions installed.

FEATURES:
Removable load
Highly-detailed, injection-molded body
Separately applied brake wheel
Body mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
Minimum radius: 18"
Machined metal wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
IPSX, OMAX, and SMEX are coal service cars. CBNS, HLMX, and ITGX are sugar beet service cars.
Sugar beet service cars will include newly-developed etched upper extensions included in poly bag
Decorated models fully-assembled and ready to run out of the box
Separately applied wire grab irons on side ladders
Weighted for trouble-free operation

Preorders: Frequently Asked Questions

What is preordering and why would I want to do that?

In the model railroading world, most products are made in limited runs. Manufacturers no longer produce large quantities to sit in warehouses. Instead, they announce new items and set a preorder deadline. After that date, production is based largely on the number of reservations received.

Preordering through Model Train Stuff guarantees your spot in line for these limited releases. When the products arrive, orders are filled in the order they were placed. The earlier you preorder, the better your chance of getting your items, even if there are shipping delays or shortfalls from the manufacturer.

Preordering is as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Preordering is available on any item with the word "Preorder" as the first word in the product title.
  2. We will email your invoice approximately 30-45 days before your preorder items land at the warehouse. With the interactive invoice you can select your preferred shipping method and pay the balance of your order right online!
  3. We'll ship you your preorder once your invoice is paid online. 

How can I place a preorder?

To place a preorder, simply look for items marked with "PREORDER" in their title on our website. Add the item to your cart and proceed to checkout. You'll be required to pay a 10% non-refundable deposit to secure your reservation.

When will I be charged for my preorder?

You'll be charged a 10% deposit at the time of placing your preorder. The remaining balance, along with any applicable sales tax and shipping charges, will be due when the item is ready to be shipped. We'll notify you via email with a link to complete your payment.

Can I cancel my preorder?

Preorders can be canceled, but please note that the 10% deposit is non-refundable and will not be credited to store credit, as it goes toward covering the cost of the uncollected reservation.

When will my preorder ship?

The estimated shipping date for each preorder item is listed on the product page. We'll also keep you updated via email if there are any changes to the shipping schedule. Once your final payment is received, your item will be shipped according to your selected shipping method.

What happens if a preorder item is delayed or canceled by the manufacturer?

In the rare event that a preorder item is delayed or canceled by the manufacturer, we'll notify you as soon as possible. You can choose to wait for the item, apply your deposit to a different item, or request a refund or store credit for your deposit.

How do I check the status of my preorder?

You can check the status of your preorder by logging into your account on our website and viewing your order history. We'll also keep you updated via email with any important information regarding your preorder.

What if I have more questions about preordering?

If you have any further questions about preordering, feel free to contact our customer service team. We're here to help you with any inquiries you may have.