Rapido Trains 176006 HO Scale PC&F Economy Baggage Southern Pacific Baggage/Messenger 6800 (Late Doors)
The Rapido Trains HO Scale PC&F Econo Baggage Car is based on cars built by Pacific Car & Foundry in 1962. This 100-car order was intended to replace aging mail and express equipment from the 1920s. The SP had invested in streamlined passenger equipment but had not ordered substantial quantities of lightweight postal or baggage cars. 65 cars (6701-6765) were classified as "Mail Baggage Express" cars which did not have any heating or sanitary facilities, while 35 "Train Baggage Messenger" cars (6766-6800) included messenger facilities, heating, bathrooms and four additional roof vents and featured a star above the SP road umber, signifying the TBM facilities.
These cars operated regularly across the SP system on famous trains such including the Lark, Daylight trains, theSunset Limited and many more. They also operated on trains operated in conjunction with connecting railroads such as the City of San Francisco and Golden State trains, which meant they were a common sight on the Union Pacific, Milwaukee Road and Rock Island. MBE versions of the Economy Baggage could also be seen on the trains of Baltimore & Ohio and Penn Central. They could even be seen pulled by Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 electrics in the Northeast Corridor. In 1971, after the formation of Amtrak, SP put most of their Economy Baggage Car fleet into MOW or yard storage service. In 1972, Amtrak leased a a few for use on long-distance trains with full SP lettering and paint. Ultimately, they purchased a few for service into the 1980s and painted into Amtrak Phase II colors. Cars 295 and 298 would see service on SP's business train starting in 1984. First painted in the silver Sunset scheme, later they would both receive Daylight paint. But wait, there{s more! In 1997, Alaska RR purchased the two SP business fleet cars, which are still in service today. Many Economy Baggage cars still exist in museums across the country or as tool/support cars for excursion operations.
FEATURES:
- Designed from measurements and 3D scans of the prototype
- Track-powered flicker-free interior lighting compatible with DC and DCC layouts
- Factory-installed grab irons and full underbody detailing
- Free-rolling, highly-detailed trucks with metal wheelsets.
- Accurate paint and decoration
- Super-detailed SP Class 4-T-1 trucks with full brake rigging
- Metal magnetic knuckle couplers
- Minimum 22" radius curves recommended
NOTE: Road number may vary from picture shown