Rapido is excited to announce their next HO freight car - the North­ern Pacific 41’-6” drop bottom gondola! Rapido have teamed up with members of the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association to bring you this all-new HO model of the NP’s unique gondola.

The Pressed Steel Car Company built five hundred 41’-6” drop bot­tom gondolas for the Northern Pacific in 1940. Numbered in the 50000-50499 series these cars were used in general service on the NP, in particular coal and ore service. Additional groups of cars were built with just minor changes in construction, primarily on the under­frame. Over their long service lives many were assigned to pulpwood loading, and many more were given extended height sides for use in woodchip and beet loading.

Between 1966 and 1968 groups of these cars were renumbered into the 58250-58749 series. Some cars lasted into the BN era, though it is unlikely that many got more than a patch out paint job at this late a date. The last cars were removed from service in 1982, although some still soldiered on in BN work service.

Rapido’s HO drop bottom gondola features:

• Designed from original blueprints and field measurements

• Fully detailed interior and underframe

• Rapido semi-scale metal couplers

• Free-rolling trucks with turned metal wheels

• Accurate paint and decoration

• Multiple road numbers per scheme

Order Due Date: January 15, 2024

Anticipated Delivery Date: November 2024

Looking for more Rapido Trains Inc. Gondolas? Click here!