Description
The Rapido Trains HO Scale Hawker-Siddeley Caboose is based on steel cupola cabooses 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 for everywhere outside of Canada), which were in need of replacement. After testing their initial prototype steel van in 1964, CN placed an order for 150 copies from Hawker-Siddeley, which were specifically designed for them. The body shells were constructed in Trenton, Nova Scotia, while the final assembly was completed at H-S's previous Fort William, Ontario plant (now Thunder Bay). The H-S Vans were numbered 79200 to 79349 and delivered in 1967. They were favorites amongst crews on the CN. They featured creature comforts such as: Waugh full-cushion underframes, electric lighting and power via an axle-driven generator, roller bearing trucks, a pair of oil stoves, a refrigerator, hot plate and much more. Their styling and design would set the standard for future Van orders. Few changes were made to these cars over their 30-year service lives with CN. The most notable changes were the paint schemes and some were modified for international service with features like FRA compliant window glass with orange side sills and end striping to denote that service. Rapido Trains models feature a super-detailed underbody including all separate air and brake piping, operating marker lights, track light and step lights; cabin lights and separately controlled cupola light; improved, full interior lighting, super-detailed Barber-Bettendorf caboose trucks with all-wheel pickup, a fully detailed multi-colored interior with interior handrails in the cupola. Other features include see-through, etched metal end platforms and steps, full end detail, including uncoupling levers and factory-installed grab irons. Cars come equipped with metal semi-scale knuckle couplers mounted at the correct height. The Hawker-Siddeley Caboose is part of the line of Rapido Trains HO Scale freight cars and containers.
