MoPac's first 50 ton coal cars came in 1925 from Standard Steel (58000-58249). These cars were 30'-6" inside length and were unconventional in design. They had "normal" twin outlets at the center of the car. But in addition, they had a total of four outlets near the ends of the cars that opened to the side.

In 1926 and 1927 the MP bought more conventional 50-ton twin hoppers that were clones to the USRA design. These were the 58250-58499 (AC&F 1926) and 58500-58749 (SSC 1927). These cars were rebuilt during the 1930s with panel sides and they remained in service well into the 1950s. Only 20 were left in January 1961.

From 1936 through 1941 the MP bought 2,200 50-ton AAR twin offset-side hoppers, assigned to series 58750-60949. These were the last of the 50-ton hoppers.

In January 1961 2,147 of the original 2,200 cars were in service. These cars lasted into the early 1970s in small quantities. A few were rebuilt with extended-height sides for woodchip service. (thanks to Ed Hawkins)

Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image

Kansas Oklahoma & Gulf #712 - Would these cars ever be numbered into the Missouri Pacific 580000 hopper series? This car also offers an example of the subsidiary KO&G paint scheme - photographer unknown, Robert F. Read Collection / submitted by Gary Herron

KO&G 781 - another version of KO&G paint, notice the subtle differences between the logos - photographer unknown, Robert F. Read Collection / submitted by Gary Herron

For those interested, Bob purchased a very nice collection of Midland Valley/KO&G shots several years ago and has been good enough to make copies available for sale at very reasonable prices. Bob may be contacted at The Friday Store at 112 W. Broadway, Cushing, OK 74023 at phone 918-225-3936

MP number? - Quad Hopper in Black paint (or very grimy!). The photo is taken from a distance and lacks detail, but demonstrates that the MoP owned a number of modern coal hoppers in black paint, reminiscent of it's pre-'60's schemes for open hoppers and gondolas; Boone, Iowa; 9/8/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 582135 - Council Bluffs, Iowa; 10/6/01 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 582229 - Union, NE. 2001 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 582231 - Quad Hopper, built 6/79; Denton, Iowa; 9/8/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 582262 - 100 ton capacity Quad Hopper car, from the #582000-582499 -series. The final scheme of MP's coal hoppers in boxcar red, white lettering with a buzzsaw eagle emblem. Earlier coal hopper schemes were black with white lettering. Lincoln, NE, 5/12/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 582441 - quad hopper, Council Bluffs, Iowa 8/18/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 582474 - Council Bluffs, Iowa; 10/6/01 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 582537 - 100 ton Quad hopper car. A very rare sight for Lincoln, Nebraska one Saturday morning as a U.P. train of empty coal cars pulled into BNSF's Hobson yard. 5/12/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 582710 - 100 ton Quad hopper car. Lincoln, NE, 5/12/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP #582736 - almost broke but still working;, east of Fremont, Nebraska - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 582894 - Union, NE. 2001 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 582947 - 100 ton Quad hopper car in UP's Lincoln, NE yard. 5/28/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 582947 - 100 ton Quad hopper car end detail. Lincoln, NE, 5/28/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 582947 - Lincoln, NE. 5/28/01 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 583210 - a Quad hopper car (built 2-81), rests on an industrial siding at Weeping Water, Nebraska after delivering coal to Louisville. 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 583275 - Union, NE. 2001 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 583277 - Council Bluffs, Iowa; 11/17/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 583279 - Quad hopper car (built 3-81). Weeping Water, Nebraska. 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 583279 & 583210 - end detail of Quad hopper cars. Weeping Water, Nebraska. 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 587815 - ex-C&EI relettered to MP, with C&EI buzzsaw emblem. Council Bluffs, Iowa; 11/17/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP #588086 - ex-Texas & Pacific coalcar (an "M" was merely painted over the "T" on the old TP reporting marks; east of Fremont, Nebraska - T. Greuter Photo ·

CEI 588330 - Quad hopper (built 9-75), with it's original lettering intact, at scenic East Portal, Colorado; 11/4/00. - photo: Nathan D. Holmes; Camera: Olympus C-3000; ©RailArc

MP 588528 - an ex-C&EI Quad (built 9-75) parked down the line from the Ash Grove cement plant, waiting for the next coal haul. This car was originally lettered for Chicago & Eastern Illinois and wore a C&EI Buzzsaw logo; Louisville, Nebraska. 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 588528 - Louisville, Ne, 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 588791 - Waverly, Nebraska; June 2002 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 589026 - a "buzzsawed" Quad hopper car, sits with other empties on a siding after delivering fuel the Ash Grove plant. Louisville, Nebraska. 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 589026 - built 11-77. The I.D. numbers have been reapplied by another railline. Louisville, Nebraska. 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 589026 - the Quad hopper's numbers appear to have been reapplied by another railline. Louisville, Nebraska. 3/25/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 589235 - Union, NE. 2001 - T. Greuter Photo ·

MP 589242 - detail of underside. Weeping Water, Nebraska. 5/19/01 - T. Greuter Photo

MP 589697 - 100 ton Quad hopper car. Lincoln, NE, 5/12/01 - T. Greuter Photo