Description
The Rapido Trains HO Scale Hawker-Siddeley Caboose is based on steel cupolacabooses built for Canadian National during the 1960s. As the 1960s began,the CN found itself with a large fleet of wood-end cupola vans (caboose foreverywhere outside of Canada), which were in need of replacement. Aftertesting their initial prototype steel van in 1964, CN placed an order for150 copies from Hawker-Siddeley, which were specifically designed for them.The body shells were constructed in Trenton, Nova Scotia, while the finalassembly was completed at H-S's previous Fort William, Ontario plant (nowThunder Bay). The H-S Vans were numbered 79200 to 79349 and delivered in1967. They were favorites amongst crews on the CN. They featured creaturecomforts such as: Waugh full-cushion underframes, electric lighting andpower via an axle-driven generator, roller bearing trucks, a pair of oilstoves, a refrigerator, hot plate and much more. Their styling and designwould set the standard for future Van orders. Few changes were made tothese cars over their 30-year service lives with CN. The most notablechanges were the paint schemes and some were modified for internationalservice with features like FRA compliant window glass with orange sidesills and end striping to denote that service. Rapido Trains models featurea super-detailed underbody including all separate air and brake piping,operating marker lights, track light and step lights; cabin lights andseparately controlled cupola light; improved, full interior lighting,super-detailed Barber-Bettendorf caboose trucks with all-wheel pickup, afully detailed multi-colored interior with interior handrails in thecupola. Other features include see-through, etched metal end platforms andsteps, full end detail, including uncoupling levers and factory-installedgrab irons. Cars come equipped with metal semi-scale knuckle couplersmounted at the correct height. The Hawker-Siddeley Caboose is part of theline of Rapido Trains HO Scalefreight cars and containers.
