{"product_id":"preorder-rapido-ho-1136002-pb-steam-heater-d-rgw-252","title":"PREORDER Rapido HO 1136002 PB Steam Heater D\u0026RGW 252","description":"Prior to the modern era, railroad passenger cars were heated by steam. Many early diesel units assigned to passenger service were equipped with steam generators to provide heat for their trains.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs the Rio Grande went through the 1950s and 1960s, most of its steam generator equipped locomotives were nearing retirement. To provide heat for its remaining passenger trains, the D\u0026amp;RGW built several steam heater cars whose sole purpose was to provide the steam needed to heat the trains. The most famous of these were a pair of units that were rebuilt from Alco PB-1 locos in 1965, numbers 252 and 253. Number 252 quickly became a backup unit while 253 handled most of the assignments.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Rio Grande opted to stay out of Amtrak, continuing to run its Rio Grande Zephyr until 1983. The steam generator cars provided heat for this train in the winter months. Since the Alco PA\/PB series were so well loved by fans, the PB-based heater cars enjoyed a celebrity status. In 1980, the 253 was rebuilt with EMD Blomberg trucks, giving it a unique if somewhat ungainly appearance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter 1983, the #253 was reassigned to the Rio Grande’s Ski Train. In 1987 it was again rebuilt, this time with Head End Power (HEP) generators to provide electricity needed to heat the Ski Train’s new lightweight cars. It carried the name “Moffat Tunnel” until being renamed for Rio Grande mechanic Joseph G. Harris in 1994. It stayed in service on the Ski Train until the arrival of assigned F40PH locos in 2001.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 2006 #253 was sold to the Algoma Central, becoming AC #78. It is now used on the Algoma Central’s Agawa Canyon trains.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe PB Steam Heater and HEP Cars feature:\u003cbr\u003eTwo different body styles – steam and HEP\u003cbr\u003eTwo different truck styles – Alco 3-axle and Blomberg 2-axle.\u003cbr\u003eSteam generator sound effects\u003cbr\u003eAccurate paint and lettering","brand":"Rapido","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43710935302207,"sku":"RPI-1136002-PRE","price":15.55,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0269\/7461\/7663\/files\/1136003_drgw_sgu2_1.jpg?v=1786424444","url":"https:\/\/factorydirecthobbies.com\/products\/preorder-rapido-ho-1136002-pb-steam-heater-d-rgw-252","provider":"Factory Direct Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}