A Limited Edition HO-Scale Rapido Autoflood III Coal Hopper painted for freelance model railroad Cardinal System - New Hope & Jackson!
The Cardinal System is a large conglomerate of roads modeled by fellow modelers in the same region, similar to the approach of the Appalachian Lines. The New Hope & Jackson is one such road under the Cardinal System banner. The NH&J Rapido Autoflood III is an exciting proto-freelance car serving the needs for coal volume at various locations along the Cardinal System's five member railroads stretching from Illinois to Pennsylvania. This car is the 3rd offering of Cardinal System member roads and the first for the New Hope & Jackson!
New Date: x-xxxx
About the Prototype:
Beginning production in 2004, the all-aluminum body prototype has been produced in the thousands and has traversed all over North America. With millions of tons of coal per year being mined and hauled out of various locations across the country, you would be hard pressed to not have seen one of these prototype cars in a modern day coal train.
This 4200 cubic foot, exterior post prototype (not to be confused with other prototype exterior post or interior post models) is primarily used as a rapid discharge car which can unload the payload in a matter of seconds via the bottom bay doors. However, the car can also be equipped with rotary couplers, as indicated by the color blocks on the end of the car, for either rotary or bottom discharge unloading based on the infrastructure at the final destination.
- Die-cast frame and floor for optimum car weight
- Full interior rivet and K-member details
- Super-detailed end cages including separate air and brake piping
- Barber S-2 100-ton trucks with metal wheels
- Hopper bays feature highly-detailed outlet gates
The Rapido Trains HO scale Autoflood III Hopper features:
- Etched, see-through end cross-over platforms
- Full end detail, including uncoupling levers
- Separate grab irons installed at the factory
- Crisp paint and lettering
- Removable coal load included
- Multiple road numbers available for each scheme