Rapido Trains 225017 HO Scale Rio Grande Steel Caboose D&RGW 01427 (Post War Mods - Aspen Gold / Main Line)
In 1940, Denver & Rio Grande Western embarked on updating their caboose fleet with steel cabooses. The 01400 series cabooses were homebuilt at their Burnham shops in Denver, Colorado. Being built by the railroad made these cars unique. The ladders, cupola and corner posts are all distinctive spotting features of these cabooses.
From 1940 to 1951, 70 riveted cars were built in batches of 10. The series would later continue production until 1959 with a welded car body. Over the years these cabooses would see multiple changes and rebuilds, several cupola and car body window variations, with the later riveted versions sporting a backup light and EOT light mounted over the ends. After the combination of the Rio Grande and Southern Pacific in 1988, many of these cars would remain in service for a few more years before retirement in 1992. At least one car survived the 1996 UP merger in local service before finally being withdrawn in the early 2000s.
FEATURES:
- Super-detailed underbody including all separate air and brake piping
- See-through, etched metal steps and walkways
- Etched metal road numbers included in polybag
- Full end detail, including uncoupling levers
- Full interior lighting
- Separate grab irons installed at factory
- All-wheel electrical pickup
- Barber-Bettendorf trucks with friction or roller bearings where appropriate
- Metal knuckle couplers mounted at the correct height