One of the most overlooked, yet common loads carried by North American railroads is finished wood products! Rapido Trains Inc. are proud to introduce the HO Scale NSC 73’ Centerbeam Car. Over 20,000 examples of this car were produced by National Steel Car, between 1987 through the mid-2000s, with some car variations along the way.

Whenever you see a general merchandise freight pass by you, there’s a high probability that you will see at least four or more centerbeams mixed in. Have you taken notice of the roadnames/ownership of those cars? Centerbeams are unique in that they are owned by large Class I railroads, leasing companies and smaller shortlines. The wood industry is so lucrative that even Rapido Trains Inc. new run of the HO Scale 73’ NSC Centerbeam is no stranger to a wide variety of roadnames!

• Over 20,000 of these centerbeam cars continue to ply the rails today

• Three top truss configurations, including the unique open “Z” pattern

• Plywood loads coming soon!

The Rapido Trains HO Scale 73’ NSC Centerbeam Locomotive features:

• Multiple Side Sill variations with different winch and ratchet configurations
• Multiple top truss configurations; early Z pattern and standard closed pattern with and without tie-down brackets
• Two deck configurations; early with risers and mid without risers
• Two underbody configurations
• Multiple end cage variants
• Multiple brake stand options
• Multiple truck types (six to be exact!)
• Factory-installed rubber airhoses
• See through eroded metal crossover platforms
• Fully detailed underbodies with brake piping
• Factory-installed metal grab irons and coupler lift bars
• Free rolling, metal wheelsets

HO scale Centerbeam Lumber Load features:

• Accurately sized for modern, 73' centerbeam flatcars
• Each package contains four differently configured rows (each package loads one car)
• Loads feature prototypically small see-through gaps between rows, a FIRST for molded centerbeam loads
• Four rows of product, matching the most common modern bundle sizes
• Each row is separate allowing endless combinations
• You can arrange each load pack differently on both sides
• Loads are held together by mini magnets
• Acquiring multiple loads will create many combination opportunities!
• Adventurous modelers can cut their loads creating new combinations, much like the prototype

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