UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               -------------------
                                    FORM 10-K


     [x]  Annual  Report  Pursuant  to  Section  13 or 15(d)  of the  Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.

     [ ]  Transition  Report  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from to

                         Commission file number 2-64413
                             -----------------------

               RMI COVERED HOPPER RAILCAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 79-1
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               California                                   94-2645847
     (State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

          120 Montgomery Street
      Suite 1350, San Francisco, CA                            94104
          (Address of principal                             (Zip code)
           executive offices)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (415) 445-3201
                             -----------------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ______

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K (ss.229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will
not be contained,  to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information  statements  incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

         Aggregate Market Value of Voting Stock:  N/A

         An index of exhibits filed with this Form 10-K is located at page 10.

         Total number of pages in this report:  18




                                     PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

(A) Background

In 1979,  PLM  Investment  Management,  Inc.  (IMI or  Manager),  a wholly owned
subsidiary of PLM Financial Services,  Inc. (FSI), sponsored the public offering
of the management  program RMI Covered Hopper  Railcar  Management  Program 79-1
(the Registrant or the Program).  The Program was registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. The Program offered to
investors,  meeting certain suitability  standards,  the opportunity to purchase
from PLM Transportation  Equipment Corporation (TEC), a wholly-owned  subsidiary
of FSI, one or more 100-ton  triple covered  hopper,  4,700 or 4,750 cubic foot,
railroad cars with center pockets, gravity discharge, and trough hatches (car or
cars).

The  purchase  price  for one  unit,  consisting  of one car  plus a  Management
Agreement (Unit), was the sum of (i) the manufacturer's  invoice price of a car,
(ii) a commencement fee paid to an affiliate of the Manager,  equal to 10% prior
to August 15, 1980, and 13% thereafter,  of the manufacturer's invoice price and
(iii) initial storage and transit costs.

The Program is organized to provide  investors  with an efficient and convenient
method of  acquiring,  leasing,  maintaining,  and managing  individually  owned
railroad cars. With certain exceptions, operating revenues and expenses from all
cars managed  under the Program are pooled.  Net income or net loss is allocated
to each participant and excess cash flow is distributed to each participant on a
pro-rata basis after maintaining reasonable reserves.

IMI  manages  6 private  railcar  management  programs  and two  public  railcar
programs.  Each of the  programs  involves a distinct  group of railcars  and is
managed  separately,  with all funds from each management  program  administered
separately. The railcars owned by investors in each pool are subject to separate
leases.

(B) Sale and Availability of Cars

Program investors  originally  purchased a total of 777 cars for a price per car
ranging  from $48,000 to $50,000,  which  included  commencement  fees and other
fees. The Program closed April 30, 1981. Subsequent to the close of the Program,
327 cars have been sold or  destroyed  and 37 cars have been added to the fleet.
As of December  31,  2001,  487 cars were in the  Program,  all of which were on
lease except for 195 cars that came off lease on December 31, 2001. During 2001,
two cars were added to the Program and three cars were destroyed.

(C) Management

The  investors  were  offered the option of entering  into a 10-year  management
agreement  (Management  Agreement) with IMI,  pursuant to which IMI has acted as
the investors'  agent for the purpose of managing and leasing the investors' car
or cars. Pursuant to the original  Management  Agreement and extensions thereof,
IMI  receives a  management  fee on a per car basis at a fixed rate each  month,
plus an incentive  management  fee equal to 15% of "Net Earnings" (as defined in
the Management  Agreement) over $750 per car per quarter.  The  weighted-average
monthly rental rate per car in 2001 was $165.

All 292 cars under lease in the Program are operating under fixed payment,  full
service  lease  agreements.  Additional  mileage  revenue  above the fixed lease
payments may also be earned for certain cars.

IMI has agreed to perform  all  services  necessary  to manage the  railcars  on
behalf of the  Program  and to perform or contract  for the  performance  of all
obligations  of the lessor under the  Program's  leases.  When cars need repair,
rent will generally abate during the period they are out of service. Lessees are
usually  obligated  to pay all  operating  expenses  of the  cars.  Lessees  are
normally responsible for the loss, damage, or destruction of the cars, except in
the case of negligence,  recklessness,  or willful misconduct on the part of the
Manager.  Regulatory  changes  may  occasionally  require  cars to be altered or
retrofitted.  Typically, such alterations or retrofits are the responsibility of
the investor.  The leases usually  provide for an increase in the monthly rental
rate  calculated  as a percentage of the cost of any such  alterations.  In such
cases,  rent will abate for the period of time while the  alterations  are being
made.

Monthly management fees of $38 per car and quarterly  incentive  management fees
are charged directly to the individual investors pursuant to the three five-year
extensions made to the original Management Agreements which had an original term
of ten years.  Prior to the  five-year  extensions,  management  fees were being
charged at the rate of $55 per car.

(D) Competition

Full service  lease rental rates are highly  competitive  and are not subject to
regulation  by the  Interstate  Commerce  Commission.  Lease  rental  rates  are
principally  affected by the demand for and the supply of cars between different
owner-lessors.  Secondarily,  lease rental rates are  influenced  by a number of
factors,  including the cost of new and used cars,  interest rates,  maintenance
and operating costs, property taxes, other direct operating costs, and the level
of railroad mileage allowances.

The major  leasing  competitors  of the Program who are also involved in leasing
privately-owned covered hopper cars are: ACF Industries, Inc. (Shippers Car Line
Division),  First Union Rail Services,  Inc.,  General Electric Railcar Services
Corporation, Chicago Freight Car, Inc., and Canadian Wheat Board.

(E) Demand

Demand for covered hopper railcars,  which are specifically  designed to service
the grain industry,  continued to experience  weakness during 2001;  carloadings
were down 2% compared to 2000 volumes.  The United States agribusiness  industry
serves a domestic market that is relatively  mature,  the future growth of which
is expected to be consistent but modest.  Most domestic grain rail traffic moves
to food processors,  poultry  breeders,  and feedlots.  The more volatile export
business, which accounts for approximately 30% of total grain shipments,  serves
emerging and developing  nations.  In these  countries,  demand for protein-rich
foods  is  growing  more  rapidly  than  in the  United  States,  due to  higher
population  growth,  a rapid pace of  industrialization,  and rising  disposable
income.  Other factors contributing to the softness in demand for covered hopper
cars are the large  number of new cars  built  during the last few years and the
improved utilization of covered hoppers by the railroads.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

At December 31, 2001, the Program had no properties except for the 487 cars
being managed under the Program, as described in Item 1(c). The Manager of the
Program maintains its principal office at 120 Montgomery Street, Suite 1350, San
Francisco, California 94104. All office facilities are provided by FSI without
reimbursement by the Program.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.




ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were  submitted  to a vote of the  Program's  owners  during the last
quarter of its fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.

                                     PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE PROGRAM'S EQUITY AND RELATED EQUITY MATTERS

None.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Table 1, below,  lists selected financial data for the five years ended December
31, 2001, prepared on a cash basis, for the Program, as a whole and on a per car
basis,  computed  on  a  weighted-average  available  car  per  day  basis  (the
weighted-average available cars per day was 488 for 2001):



                                                                      TABLE 1

                                                            For the years ended December 31,

                                         2001            2000             1999             1998            1997
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL PROGRAM

                                                                                        
Total revenues collected             $    970,582    $   1,631,724    $  2,314,123     $  2,621,980    $  2,444,571

Expenses paid                            (532,133)   $    (698,889)       (697,664)        (656,156)       (598,904)
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess of revenues collected
  over expenses paid                 $    438,449    $     932,835    $  1,616,459     $  1,965,824    $  1,845,667
                                     =================================================================================

  Distributions to investors         $    437,489    $   1,319,610    $  1,941,463     $  1,909,390    $  1,864,121
                                     =================================================================================


PER CAR AVAILABLE (COMPUTED
  ON A WEIGHTED-AVERAGE CAR
  PER DAY BASIS)

Total revenues collected             $      1,990    $       3,334    $      4,768     $      5,453    $      5,158

Expenses paid                              (1,091)          (1,428)         (1,438)          (1,365)         (1,264)
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess of revenues collected
  over expenses paid                 $        899    $       1,906    $      3,330     $      4,088    $      3,894
                                     =================================================================================











ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Program's operating funds are committed to payment of operating expenses and
making cash distributions to the car owners when available.  The Program intends
to finance these activities with funds generated from operations. The Manager of
the Program  does not know of any demands or  commitments  that might  adversely
affect the liquidity of the Program.

Funds from  operations  are primarily  generated by lease  payments and interest
income earned on invested cash.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The statements of revenues collected and expenses paid and other changes in cash
of the Program are presented on the cash basis of accounting  used for reporting
to investors in the Program in accordance  with the  Management  Agreement  with
IMI. Under the cash basis,  revenues are recognized  when received,  rather than
when  earned,  and  expenses  are  recognized  when paid,  rather  than when the
obligation is incurred.

COMPARISON OF THE PROGRAM'S REVENUES COLLECTED,  EXPENSES PAID AND OTHER CHANGES
IN CASH FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001 AND 2000

Revenues collected:

1.   Lease receipts  decreased to $946,568 for the year ended December 31, 2001,
     from $1,586,688 for the comparable  period in 2000. A $504,101  decrease in
     lease  receipts was due to lower average lease rates during the  comparable
     periods,  a $131,742  decrease in lease  receipts  was due to the off lease
     cars during the comparable periods,  and a $4,277 decrease was due to a net
     decrease of one car in the Program in 2001.

2.   Interest and other income  decreased to $24,014 for the year ended December
     31, 2001, from $45,036 for the comparable  period in 2000. The decrease was
     due to lower  interest  income  earned  as a result of lower  average  cash
     balances and lower interest rates during 2001 compared to 2000.

Expenses paid:

1.   Management fees decreased to $222,908 for the year ended December 31, 2001,
     from $230,284 for the comparable period in 2000. The decrease was primarily
     due to lower  incentive  fees paid to IMI resulting from reduced cash flows
     to the Program for 2001 compared to 2000.  In 2001, no incentive  fees were
     paid to IMI, compared to $7,110 in 2000.

2.   Repairs and  maintenance  expense  decreased to $250,189 for the year ended
     December  31, 2001,  from  $409,963  for the  comparable  period in 2000. A
     decrease of $160,380 in repairs and maintenance resulted from major repairs
     in 2000,  which were not needed in 2001. A decrease in payments of $447 was
     due to the timing of payments of expenses during comparable  period.  These
     decreases were  partially  offset by an increase of $1,053 which was due to
     three cars being destroyed during 2001.

3.   Property  taxes  decreased to $8,000 for the year ended  December 31, 2001,
     from $11,488 for the comparable  period in 2000. The decrease was primarily
     due to the timing of  payments  for these  expenses  during the  comparable
     periods,  as the tax rates and number of cars owned by the Program remained
     relatively constant.

4.   Accounting  and legal fees increased to $10,128 for the year ended December
     31, 2001,  from $8,461 for the comparable  period in 2000. The increase was
     primarily  due to higher  professional  service  costs in 2001  compared to
     2000.

5.   Storage, repositioning and other expenses increased to $33,061 for the year
     ended  2001,  from  $31,290 in 2000.  The  increase  was due to a $7,726 of
     higher repositioning expenses resulting from more cars being transferred to
     new lessees  during 2001  compared to 2000 and an increase of $110 of other
     expenses.  These  increases  were offset by a decrease of $2,690 related to
     bank service charges and a $3,375 decrease in data process expenses.

Other changes in cash:

1.   Prepaid  mileage,  reimbursable  repairs and other  expenses  are  composed
     primarily of receipts of mileage  credits from  railroads  which are due to
     lessees,  net of  reimbursable  repairs from  lessees.  Funds  increased to
     $16,551 due to these  activities  during the year ended  December 31, 2001,
     compared to payments of $27,928 in 2000.  The decrease  between  comparable
     periods is primarily  due to the timing of net receipts and  repayments  of
     these funds by the Program.

2.   During 2001,  three cars were destroyed for which the Program  received and
     paid to the investors insurance proceeds of $73,718.

As a result of the foregoing, the Program distributed $437,489 to investors in
the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to $1,319,610 distributed in 2000.

COMPARISON OF THE PROGRAM'S REVENUES COLLECTED,  EXPENSES PAID AND OTHER CHANGES
IN CASH FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999

Revenues collected:

1.   Lease  receipts  decreased to  $1,586,688  for the year ended  December 31,
     2000,  from  $2,245,736  for the  comparable  period  in 1999.  A  $607,881
     decrease in lease  receipts  due to lower  average  leases rates during the
     comparable  periods,  a $45,676  decrease in lease  receipts was due to the
     timing of receipt of revenues during the comparable  periods,  and a $5,491
     decrease was due to two cars being destroyed during 2000.

2.   Interest and other income  decreased to $45,036 for the year ended December
     31, 2000, from $68,387 for the comparable  period in 1999. The decrease was
     primarily due to lower interest  income earned as a result of lower average
     cash balances during 2000 compared to 1999.

Expenses paid:

1.   Management fees decreased to $230,284 for the year ended December 31, 2000,
     from $293,408 for the comparable period in 1999. The decrease was primarily
     due to lower  incentive  fees paid to IMI resulting from reduced cash flows
     to the Program for 2000 compared to 1999. In 2000, $7,110 in incentive fees
     were paid to IMI, compared to $73,004 in 1999.

2.   Repairs and  maintenance  expense  increased to $409,963 for the year ended
     December 31, 2000,  from $344,705 for the  comparable  period in 1999.  The
     increase in repairs and maintenance expense was primarily due to the timing
     of payments of expenses during comparable period.

3.   Insurance expense decreased to $7,403 for the year ended December 31, 2000,
     from  $15,549  in 1999.  The  decrease  is  primarily  due to the timing of
     payments  for  the  annual  premium  for  liability  and  physical   damage
     insurance.

4.   Property  taxes  decreased to $11,488 for the year ended December 31, 2000,
     from $13,858 for the comparable  period in 1999. The decrease was primarily
     due to the timing of  payments  for these  expenses  during the  comparable
     periods,  as the tax rates and number of cars owned by the Program remained
     relatively constant.

5.   Accounting  and legal fees  increased to $8,461 for the year ended December
     31, 2000,  from $6,418 for the comparable  period in 1999. The increase was
     primarily  due to higher  professional  service  costs in 2000  compared to
     1999.

6.   Storage, repositioning and other expenses increased to $31,290 for the year
     ended  2000,  from  $23,726  in  1999.  The  increases  are due to:  $4,510
     increases  in data  processing  expenses;  $2,494 of  higher  repositioning
     expenses  resulting from more cars being  transferred to new lessees during
     2000 compared to 1999;  and a $1,173 of higher bank service  charge.  These
     increases were partially offset by a decrease of $613 of other expenses.

Other changes in cash:

1.   Prepaid  mileage,  reimbursable  repairs and other  expenses  are  composed
     primarily of receipts of mileage credits from  railroads,  which are due to
     lessees,  net of  reimbursable  repairs from  lessees.  Funds  decreased by
     $27,928 due to these  activities  during the year ended  December 31, 2000,
     compared to a decrease of $37,375 in 1999. The decrease between  comparable
     periods is primarily  due to the timing of net receipts and  repayments  of
     these funds by the Program.

2.   During 2000,  two cars were  destroyed  for which the Program  received and
     paid to the investors  insurance proceeds of $54,748.  In addition,  during
     2000,  proceeds of $1,994 were  received  and paid to an investor for a car
     that was  destroyed in 1999.  During 1999,  three cars were  destroyed  for
     which the Program  received  and paid to  investors  insurance  proceeds of
     $97,502.

3.   During 2000, no railcars were transferred between investors in the Program.
     During  1999,  the Program  received  proceeds of $131,000 for six railcars
     that were transferred  between  investors in the Program.  The Program paid
     $127,220 net of commission to investors that sold the cars.

4.   No  commissions  were paid during 2000.  Commissions of $3,780 were paid to
     the Manager during 1999 for cars that were  transferred  between  investors
     during 1999.

As a result of the foregoing, the Program distributed $1,319,610 to investors in
the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to $1,941,463 distributed in 1999.

Certain of the Program's  railcars operate in Canada.  Although these operations
expose the Program to certain currency,  political,  credit, and economic risks,
the Manager believes that these risks are minimal or has implemented  strategies
to control the risks.  Currency  risks are at a minimum  because all  invoicing,
with the exception of a small number of railcars,  is conducted in United States
(US) dollars.  Political risks are minimized by avoiding operations in countries
that do not have a stable judicial system and  established  commercial  business
laws.  Credit  support  strategies  for  lessees  range  from  letters of credit
supported by US banks to cash deposits. Although these credit support mechanisms
allow the Program to maintain its lease yield,  there are risks  associated with
slow-to-respond  judicial  systems  when legal  remedies  are required to secure
payment or repossess equipment. Economic risks are inherent in all international
markets and the Manager strives to minimize this risk with market analysis prior
to committing equipment to a particular geographic area. Canadian lease receipts
accounted for 3% of total lease receipts of the Program in 2001.

Inflation

Inflation did not significantly  impact the Program's  operations in 2001, 2000,
or 1999.


Forward-Looking Information

Except for historical  information contained herein, the discussion in this Form
10-K contains  forward-looking  statements that involve risks and uncertainties,
such  as  statements  of the  Program's  plans,  objectives,  expectations,  and
intentions.  The cautionary  statements made in this Form 10-K should be read as
being applicable to all related forward-looking  statements wherever they appear
in this Form 10-K.  The Program's  actual results could differ  materially  from
those discussed here.

Outlook for the Future

The cars in the Program are lower  capacity  than those built in the last six to
seven years. Better equipment utilization by the railroads, combined with little
or no growth in the number of grain car loading in recent  years,  has led to an
imbalance in the supply/demand equation (i.e., supply of cars exceeding relative
demand).  Consequently,  many of the lower  capacity  cars, as well as the newer
higher  capacity  cars,  are now in storage.  The  Program  has avoided  placing
additional  cars  into  storage  by  reducing  the  rental  rates  on  the  cars
significantly. Lease rates are expected to continue to decrease in 2002.

Factors that may effect the Program's  operating  performance in 2002 and beyond
include the following:

(1) Repricing Risk

Certain of the Program's  railcars will be remarketed as existing leases expire,
exposing  the Program to  repricing  risk/opportunity.  The  Manager  intends to
re-lease  railcars at  prevailing  market  rates;  however,  the Manager  cannot
predict  these  future  rates  with  any  certainty  at this  time,  and  cannot
accurately  assess the effect of such activity on the future  performance of the
Program.  Demand for covered  hopper cars,  which are  specifically  designed to
service the agricultural industry,  experienced weakness during 2001 and this is
expected to continue during 2002.

(2) Impact of Government Regulations on Future Operations

The federal  government and the railroad  industry  itself  regulate the use and
maintenance of railcars.  The Federal Railroad  Association  issues  regulations
regarding the repair and maintenance of the railcars.  The American  Association
of Railroads, a self regulating industry  organization,  also sets standards and
facilitates the collection and payments within the industry regarding use of and
repairs to the railcars.  Such regulations and standards may impose restrictions
and  financial  burdens  on the  Program's  ability  to  operate  the  equipment
profitably.  All  railcars  are  subject to  substantial  safety  and  operating
regulations.  From time to time,  these  regulations  may require  extensive and
expensive  modifications  of the railcars.  In some instances,  a regulation may
necessitate the removal of certain railcars from service.

(3) Distributions

The  Program  intends  to rely on  operating  cash  flow to meet  its  operating
obligations and make cash  distributions.  The Manager will continue to evaluate
the level of  distributions  the Program can sustain  over  extended  periods of
time, and may adjust the level of distributions  accordingly.  In the long term,
the  difficulty  in  predicting  market  conditions  precludes  the Manager from
accurately  determining the impact of changing market conditions on liquidity or
distribution level.

The Manager believes the Program will have sufficient liquidity in the future.






ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Program's primary market risk exposure is that of currency devaluation risk.
During 2001,  3% of the  Program's  total lease  revenues  came from  non-United
States domiciled lessees.  Most of the leases require payment in US currency. If
these  lessees  currency  devalues  against  the US dollar,  the  lessees  could
potentially  encounter  difficulty in making the U.S. dollar  denominated  lease
payments.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Statements of Revenues Collected and Expenses Paid and Other Changes in Cash for
the three years ended  December 31, 2001, are included on the Index to Financial
Statements as part of Item 14(a) of this Annual Report.

ITEM  9.  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     (a)  Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

          None

     (b)  Changes in Accountants

          In September 2001, the General Partner  announced that the Partnership
          had engaged  Deloitte & Touche LLP as the  Partnership's  auditors and
          had dismissed  KPMG LLP. KPMG LLP issued  unqualified  opinions on the
          1999  and  2000  financial  statements.  During  1999,  2000  and  the
          subsequent  interim  period  preceding such  dismissal,  there were no
          disagreements with KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting  principles or
          practices,  financial  statement  disclosure,  or  auditing  scope  or
          procedure.












                     (This space intentionally left blank.)




                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

As of the date of this annual  report,  the directors and executive  officers of
PLM Financial  Services,  Inc. (and key executive  officers of its subsidiaries)
are as follows:



Name                                     Age     Position
- ---------------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      
Gary D. Engle                            52      Director, PLM Financial Services, Inc., PLM Investment
                                                 Management Inc., and PLM Transportation Equipment Corp.

James A. Coyne                           41      Director and Secretary, PLM Financial Services Inc., PLM
                                                 Investment Management, Inc., and PLM Transportation Equipment
                                                 Corp.

Stephen M. Bess                          55      President and Director, PLM Financial Services, Inc., PLM
                                                 Investment Management Inc., and PLM Transportation Equipment
                                                 Corp.


Gary D. Engle was  appointed  a Director  of PLM  Financial  Services,  Inc.  in
January 2002. He was appointed a director of PLM International, Inc. in February
2001. He is a director and President of MILPI.  Since  November  1997, Mr. Engle
has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Semele Group Inc. ("Semele"), a
publicly traded company.  Mr. Engle is President and Chief Executive  Officer of
Equis  Financial  Group  ("EFG"),  which he  joined  in 1990 as  Executive  Vice
President.  Mr. Engle purchased a controlling  interest in EFG in December 1994.
He is also President of AFG Realty, Inc.

James A. Coyne was appointed a Director and Secretary of PLM Financial  Services
Inc. in April 2001.  He was  appointed a director of PLM  International,  Inc in
February  2001. He is a director,  Vice  President  and Secretary of MILPI.  Mr.
Coyne has been a director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Semele since
1997. Mr. Coyne is Executive Vice  President of Equis  Corporation,  the general
partner of EFG. Mr. Coyne joined EFG in 1989,  remained until 1993, and rejoined
in November 1994.

Stephen M. Bess was appointed a Director of PLM Financial Services, Inc. in July
1997.  Mr. Bess was  appointed  President  of PLM  Financial  Services,  Inc. in
October  2000. He was appointed  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of PLM
International,  Inc. in October 2000.  Mr. Bess was  appointed  President of PLM
Investment  Management,  Inc.  in August  1989,  having  served  as Senior  Vice
President of PLM Investment  Management,  Inc. beginning in February 1984 and as
Corporate Controller of PLM Financial Services,  Inc. beginning in October 1983.
He served as Corporate  Controller of PLM, Inc.  beginning in December 1982. Mr.
Bess was  Vice  President-Controller  of  Trans  Ocean  Leasing  Corporation,  a
container  leasing  company,  from  November  1978 to November  1982,  and Group
Finance  Manager  with the Field  Operations  Group of  Memorex  Corporation,  a
manufacturer  of computer  peripheral  equipment,  from October 1975 to November
1978.

The directors of PLM Financial Services, Inc. are elected for a one-year term or
until their successors are elected and qualified.  No family relationships exist
between any director and executive officer of PLM Financial Services,  Inc., PLM
Transportation Equipment Corp., or PLM Investment Management, Inc.






ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The  Program  has no  directors,  officers,  or  employees.  The  Program has no
pension,  profit-sharing,  retirement,  or similar  benefit plan in effect as of
December 31, 2001.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The  Program  is not a legal  entity.  The  Program  itself  does  not  have any
securities.  The Program has neither directors nor executive officers.  The cars
sold to investors  who have entered into  Management  Agreements  are managed by
IMI.  Neither the Manager,  its  affiliates,  nor any officer or director of the
Manager or its affiliates own any cars.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     (a)  TRANSACTIONS  WITH  MANAGEMENT  AND OTHERS
          During 2001,  $222,908 in management  fees were paid to the Manager by
          participants in the Program.

                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a)  1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          The  statements   listed  in  the  accompanying   Index  to  Financial
          Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report.

          2.   FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
               None.

     (b)       REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
               None.

     (c)       EXHIBITS

          10.1 Form of Management  Agreement,  incorporated  by reference to the
               Program's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K dated  December  31,  1989
               filed with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  on April 2,
               1990.

          10.2 Form  of  Amendment  to  Management  Agreement   incorporated  by
               reference  to the  Program's  Annual  Report on Form  10-K  dated
               December  31,  1999  filed  with  the   Securities  and  Exchange
               Commission on March 22, 2000.

          10.3 Form of Second Amendment to Management Agreement  incorporated by
               reference  to the  Program's  Annual  Report on Form  10-K  dated
               December  31,  1999  filed  with  the   Securities  and  Exchange
               Commission on March 22, 2000.










                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

The  Registrant is not a legal entity.  PLM  Investment  Management,  Inc.,  the
Manager, has signed on behalf of the Registrant by its duly authorized officers.


                                    RMI COVERED HOPPER RAILCAR
                                    MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 79-1
Date:     March 27, 2002            Registrant


                                    By:  PLM Investment Management, Inc.
                                         Manager


                                    By:  /s/ Stephen M. Bess
                                         -----------------------------------
                                         Stephen M. Bess
                                         President and
                                         Current Chief Accounting Officer




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report
has been signed below by the following directors of IMI on the dates indicated.

      Name                          Capacity                     Date




/s/ Gary D. Engle
- ----------------------------
Gary D. Engle                        Director, FSI                March 27, 2002




/s/ James A. Coyne
- -----------------------------
James A. Coyne                       Director, FSI                March 27, 2002




/s/ Stephen M. Bess
- -----------------------------
Stephen M. Bess                      Director, FSI                March 27, 2002





               RMI COVERED HOPPER RAILCAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 79-1

                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (Item 14(a))


                                                                           PAGE

Independent Auditors' Reports                                             13-14

Statements of revenues collected and expenses paid and
   other changes in cash for the years ended December 31,
   2001, 2000, and 1999                                                      15

Notes to the  statements of revenues collected and expenses
   paid and other changes in cash                                         16-17







INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT




The Equipment Owners in
RMI Covered Hopper Railcar Management Program 79-1:

We have audited the statement of revenues  collected and expenses paid and other
changes in cash of RMI  Covered  Hopper  Railcar  Management  Program  79-1 (the
"Program") for the year ended December 31, 2001. This financial statement is the
responsibility of the Program's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We have  conducted our audit in accordance  with  auditing  standards  generally
accepted in the United States of America.  Those standards  require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statement is free of material  misstatement.  An audit includes examining,  on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audit  provides  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

The  accompanying  financial  statement  was  prepared to present  the  revenues
collected  and  expenses  paid and other  changes in cash of RMI Covered  Hopper
Railcar Management Program 79-1 pursuant to the management  agreement  described
in Note 1 and are not intended to be a complete  presentation  of the  Program's
financial  position,  results of operations,  and cash flows in conformity  with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

In our  opinion,  such  financial  statement  presents  fairly,  in all material
respects,  the revenues collected and expenses paid and other changes in cash of
the  Program  for the  year  ended  December  31,  2001,  on the  cash  basis of
accounting described in Note 1.




/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Certified Public Accountants

Tampa, Florida
March 8, 2002










INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Equipment Owners in
RMI Covered Hopper Railcar Management Program 79-1:

We have audited the statements of revenues collected and expenses paid and other
changes in cash of RMI Covered  Hopper  Railcar  Management  Program  79-1 ("the
Program") for each of the years in the two-year  period ended December 31, 2000.
These financial  statements are the responsibility of the Program's  management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based
on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the  United  States of  America.  Those  standards  require  that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain  reasonable  assurance about whether these financial
statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

The  accompanying  financial  statements  were  prepared to present the revenues
collected  and  expenses  paid and other  changes in cash of RMI Covered  Hopper
Railcar Management Program 79-1 pursuant to the management  agreement  described
in Note 1 and are not intended to be a complete  presentation  of the  Program's
financial  position,  results of operations,  and cash flows in conformity  with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the  revenues  collected  and  expenses  paid and other
changes in cash of RMI Covered Hopper Railcar  Management  Program 79-1 for each
of the years in the two-year  period ended  December 31, 2000, on the cash basis
of accounting described in Note 1.




/s/ KPMG LLP

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
March 12, 2001





               RMI COVERED HOPPER RAILCAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 79-1
               STATEMENTS OF REVENUES COLLECTED AND EXPENSES PAID
                            AND OTHER CHANGES IN CASH
                        For the Years Ended December 31,





                                                                    2001               2000               1999
                                                              -------------------------------------------------------
Revenues collected:
                                                                                             
  Lease receipts                                               $     946,568      $    1,586,688      $   2,245,736
  Interest and other income                                           24,014              45,036             68,387
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------

    Total revenues collected                                         970,582           1,631,724          2,314,123
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------

Expenses paid:
  Management fees                                                    222,908             230,284            293,408
  Repairs and maintenance                                            250,189             409,963            344,705
  Insurance                                                            7,847               7,403             15,549
  Property taxes                                                       8,000              11,488             13,858
  Accounting and legal fees                                           10,128               8,461              6,418
  Storage, repositioning, and other                                   33,061              31,290             23,726
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------

    Total expenses paid                                              532,133             698,889            697,664
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------

Excess of revenues collected over
  expenses paid                                                      438,449             932,835          1,616,459
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------

Other increases (decreases) in cash:

  Prepaid mileage, reimbursable repairs,
    and other expenses                                                16,551             (27,928)           (37,375)
  Receipt of proceeds from sold or destroyed cars                     73,718              56,742             97,502
  Receipt of proceeds for transfer of car ownership                       --                  --            131,000
  Payments to investors for sold or destroyed cars                   (73,718)            (56,742)           (97,502)
  Payments to investors for transfer of car ownership                     --                  --           (127,220)
  Distributions to investors                                        (437,489)         (1,319,610)        (1,941,463)
  Commission paid                                                         --                  --             (3,780)
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------

Net other decreases in cash                                         (420,938)         (1,347,538)        (1,978,838)
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                                       17,511            (414,703)          (362,379)

Cash at beginning of year                                            541,913             956,616          1,318,995
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------

Cash at end of year                                            $     559,424      $      541,913      $     956,616
                                                               =======================================================










               See accompanying notes to the financial statements.






               RMI COVERED HOPPER RAILCAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 79-1
         NOTES TO THE STATEMENTS OF REVENUES COLLECTED AND EXPENSES PAID
                            AND OTHER CHANGES IN CASH

1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     RMI Covered Hopper Railcar  Management  Program 79-1 (the Program) is not a
     legal entity.  The  statements of revenues  collected and expenses paid and
     other changes in cash (the  Statements) of the Program are presented on the
     cash basis of accounting, used for reporting to investors in the Program in
     accordance  with the Management  Agreement with PLM Investment  Management,
     Inc.  (IMI).  Under the cash basis of  accounting,  revenues are recognized
     when received,  rather than when earned,  and expenses are recognized  when
     paid,  rather  than  when the  obligation  is  incurred.  Accordingly,  the
     Statements are not intended to present the financial  position,  results of
     operations,   or  cash  flows  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles
     generally accepted in the United States of America.

2.   OPERATIONS

     The Program is managed by IMI, a wholly owned  subsidiary  of PLM Financial
     Services,  Inc. (FSI).  FSI, in conjunction  with its  subsidiaries,  sells
     transportation  equipment to investor  programs and third parties,  manages
     pools of  transportation  equipment  under  management  agreements with the
     investor  programs,  and is  also a  general  partner  of  several  limited
     partnerships.  The investors are liable for the obligations and liabilities
     of the Program.

     As of December 31, 2001, monthly management fees of $38 per car are charged
     directly to the  individual  investors  with respect to cars being  managed
     pursuant to five-year extensions made to the original management agreements
     that had an original term of ten years. In addition, IMI earns an incentive
     management  fee equal to 15% of Net  Earnings  (as defined in the  original
     Management Agreement) over earnings of $750 per car per quarter.

     At December 31, 2001,  2000,  and 1999,  487 cars,  488 cars, and 490 cars,
     respectively,  which were owned by the investors, were being managed by IMI
     under the Program.  As of December  31, 2001,  all cars except for 195 cars
     owned by investors  were covered by lease  arrangements.  During 2001,  two
     cars were added to the Program and three cars were destroyed.

3.   REVENUES AND EXPENSES

     Operating  revenues and expenses of the Program are pooled and allocated to
     participants  based on  available  car-days  as defined  in the  Management
     Agreement.  Revenues are earned by placing the railcars  under leases,  and
     are generally billed monthly.  As of December 31, 2001, all cars except for
     195 cars were leased on a fixed rate basis.

     The  weighted-average  monthly  rental  rate per car in 2001 was $165.  The
     weighted-average  monthly  rental  rate  per  car in  2000  was  $267.  The
     weighted-average  available car per day was 488, 489, 485, for 2001,  2000,
     and 1999, respectively.

     The lessees  accounting for 10% or more of total revenues  collected during
     2001,  2000,  and 1999 were  Louis  Dreyfus  Corp.  (22% in 2000 and 13% in
     1999),  Canadian  Pacific Railroad (13% in 1999), San Luis Central Railroad
     Co. (40% in 2001, 24% in 2000, and 17% in 1999),  General Chemical Co. (13%
     in 2000, and 14% in 1999),  Burlington  Northern  Railroad Co. (14% in 2001
     and 10% in 2000), and Con Agra Inc. (22% in 2001 and 12% in 2000).






               RMI COVERED HOPPER RAILCAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 79-1
         NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF REVENUES COLLECTED AND EXPENSES PAID
                            AND OTHER CHANGES IN CASH

4.   EQUALIZATION RESERVE

     Under the terms of the Management  Agreement,  IMI may, at its  discretion,
     cause the Program to retain a certain  amount of cash (the working  capital
     reserve)  to cover  future  disbursements  and to  provide  for a  balanced
     distribution of funds to the investors each quarter. IMI has determined the
     working  capital  reserve  at  December  31,  2001,  2000,  and  1999 to be
     $481,905, $419,882, and $603,179, respectively.

5.   GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

     Certain of the Program's railcars operate in Canada.

     A limited  number of  transactions  are  denominated  in foreign  currency.
     Increases and decreases  resulting from foreign  currency  transactions are
     included in the  Statements  of Revenues  Collected  and Expenses  Paid and
     Other  Changes  in Cash  and  are not  material.  Canadian  lease  receipts
     accounted for 3% of total lease receipts of the Program in 2001.



















                    (This space is intentionally left blank)





               RMI COVERED HOPPER RAILCAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 79-1

                                INDEX OF EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT                                                                 PAGE

10.1  Form of Management Agreement                                      *

10.2  Form of Amendment to Management Agreement                         *

10.3  Form of Second Amendment to Management Agreement                  *








































- -----------------------------
*     Incorporated by reference.  See page 10 of this report.