When the Nickel Plate ordered their first all steel 2-bay hoppers, this unusual lettering scheme appeared on the builder's photos. The NKP 33000-33074 were built to the "AAR alternate standard" hopper design of 1935. The first all-new hoppers built for the road since the composite side hoppers of 1923, these Nickel Plate cars were an addition to a C&O order for several thousand cars built to the same design (another AMC road, the Erie, received similar cars). Due to a mis-read of the NKP's lettering specifications by Pullman, the cars came lettered in a unique style that didn't survive past the beginning of WWII.
The 33000-series cars were followed by identical 33075-33324 series cars in 1942, and similar 33325-33825 series in 1944. The cars would go on to see service well past 1964 for new owner N&W.
The 33000-series cars were followed by identical 33075-33324 series cars in 1942, and similar 33325-33825 series in 1944. The cars would go on to see service well past 1964 for new owner N&W.