Rapido HO scale drop-bottom gondola review
A Pressed Steel Car Co. drop-bottom gondolahas been added to the Rapido Trains HO scale freight car lineup. The newly-tooled model, based on original CAD files designed by the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association (NPRHA), features plastic and die-cast metal construction, 33″ metal wheelsets, and semi-scale metal couplers.
The Rapido Trains modelis based on Northern Pacific's 50000 through 50499 series of drop-bottom gondolas built by Pressed Steel Car Co. Inc. in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1940. The 500 cars were assigned to general service, hauling coal, ore, pulpwood, scrap metal, and sugar beets, among other commodities. From 1966 to 1968, some - but not all - of the cars from this series were reconditioned. As part of that process, the rehabbed gondolas were reassigned to the 58250 through 58749 series.
Examples of these cars lasted into the Burlington Northern era. A few of the gons wound up in maintenance-of-way service, with some repainted and given BN reporting marks and road numbers.
Our review sample, supplied to Model Railroader free of charge by Rapido Trains, is lettered as NP 50214. The model is decorated in its 1940 as-delivered paint scheme. The lone survivor from this series, NP 50409 , is on display at the Northern Pacific Ry. Museum in Toppenish, Wash.
Wire grab irons and uncoupling levers, a plastic brake wheel, and body-mounted semi-scale metal couplers are some of the features on the Rapido HO scale drop-bottom gondola. The sideframes on the solid-bearing trucks have raised, prototype-specific lettering. Cody Grivno photo
Model construction consistsof plastic sides and ends and a die-cast metal floor. The grab irons and uncoupling levers are formed-wire parts. Plastic was used for the stirrup steps, end ladders, and train line hoses.
Additional details on the B end of the gondola include a freestanding brake wheel, hand brake, retaining valve, and brake platform. Our sample has a Universal brake wheel. A plastic bag included with the model contains Ajax and early (pre-1936) Miner D-3279 brake wheels, both mounted in a hand brake.
The car floor is a one-piece metal casting. The Dreadnaught pattern on the non-functioning drop doors is raised on the top and recessed on the bottom. The cover plates for the center sills and crossmembers, both with rivet detail, are depicted on the top. Hinges and additional details are on the bottom.
The recessed Dreadnaught pattern is visible in this underbody view of the Rapido HO scale drop-bottom gondola. The highly-detailed brake system is easy to appreciate thanks to the gondola's high sides. Cody Grivno photo
Of course, this wouldn't be a Rapido model without a highly detailed underbody. The center sills, crossmembers, body bolsters, and draft-gear boxes are plastic. The draft-gear box covers are also plastic, secured with a screw.
The car's design makes the brake system easy to see. Plastic parts include the air reservoir, brake cylinder, brake rods, control valve, dirt collector, cut-off valve, and levers. Formed wire was used for the auxiliary, brake, branch, and emergency pipes and lever support brackets.
The Rapido HO scale drop-bottom gondola has plastic sides and ends and a die-cast metal floor. The raised Dreadnaught pattern and cover plates for the center sills and crossmembers can be seen in this top-down view. Cody Grivno photo
Our review sampleis neatly painted black with crisp white graphics. Lettering placement matches prototype images that I found in books and online. The COTS data printed on the air reservoir is a nice touch.
Dean O'Neill, chair of the NPRHA Modeling Committee, shared prototype drawings of the 50000 through 50499 series gondolas with me. The exterior dimensions match published data. The interior width and length are a bit narrower than the full-size car, which is typical on models of open-top cars.
I took the gondola over to the Winston-Salem Southbound to test it on an operating layout. The model railroad has a mix of commercial and handlaid track and turnouts, a No. 4 turnout, and a 30-degree crossing. The gondola ran without issue when being pushed and pulled in a train around the layout.
I'm a fan of the Hill Roads(NP; Great Northern; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; and Spokane, Portland & Seattle), so I was thrilled when Rapido announced these cars. Additional road numbers for the NP cars, as well as an exclusive NP wood-chip gondola, can be ordered through the NPRHA Company Store website ( store.nprha.org ).
Facts & features
Price:Single car, $54.95; three-pack, $164.85; and six-pack, $389.70
Manufacturer
Rapido Trains
382 High St.
Buffalo, NY 14204
rapidotrains.com
Era:1940 to 1980s (varies based on paint scheme)
Road names:Northern Pacific (1940, 1966, and pulpwood versions); Burlington Northern (maintenance-of-way, single car and three-pack); Chicago & North Western; Denver & Rio Grade Western; Illinois Central; New York, New Haven & Hartford; Soo Line; and Union Pacific. Available as single car and in six-packs unless noted.
Features
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33″ metal wheels, in gauge
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Body-mounted semi-scale metal couplers, at correct height
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Recommended minimum radius, 18″
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Weight: 3.9 ounces, correct per National Model Railroad Association Recommended Practice 20.1
