Rapido Trains announces a new series of mechanical refrigerator car models based on Santa Fe prototypes. This all-new HO-scale offering with come fully assembled with numerous separately added detail parts. The hobby manufacturer will present this new mechanical reefer in single car release and in sets of four. The model will offered with sound output as a “plug n’ play” add-on.

ABOVE: This Santa Fe mechanical refrigerator car is an Rr-56 class from the mid-1950s and the first of three classes coming to HO in a new high-quality reproduction with sound as an option from Rapido Trains. — Rapido Trains provided photo from John Moore and Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society collection

Santa Fe’s Rr-56 class were 50-foot steel mechanical refrigerator cars introduced for all-purpose service in 1955. The cars include Mechanical Temperature Control (identified by the white “MTC” logo appearing on the blue door). The first two groups (2100- and 2500-series road numbers) were nearly identical, with the first cars equipped with Trane Detroit Diesel generators and the second group with Thermo-King generators. Similar to Santa Fe’s Rr-56 class were the road’s Rr-60 and Rr-61 fleets added beginning in the late 1950s. Rapido Trains will offer digital audio output reproducing the buzzing sound of the diesel generator powering the refrigeration unit; this will be accomplished with a separately sold drop-in Digital Command Control sound board unit.

The series of mechanical reefer models was developed from original railroad blueprints and will include a wealth of details and features. The cars will include separate door posts, door latches, and coupler cut levers on the ends. The fully detailed underframe will present the tanks and equipment accurately representing this type of refrigerated freight car and will include extended cushion draft gear with Kadee scale-head metal whisker knuckle couplers. The grilles on the sides of the car will be see-through and you will be able to set the roof hatch in open or closed position.

ABOVE: Rapido Trains will reproduce its coming HO-scale mechanical refrigerator car in multiple Santa Fe liveries from early styles with small square circle-cross herald to later era looks with a large circle-cross herald.

Multiple Santa Fe liveries are coming in the first production, including small square circle-cross herald with passenger train names, including Super Chief, Texas Chief, El Capitan, and more. You’ll also find a later decoration style with large round Santa Fe circle-cross herald and “Ship and Travel” slogan.

The single car retail price is $59.95 and four-packs list for $239.80. Rapido Trains’ specially made sound board carries a $14.95 suggested retail price. Visit Rapido Trains online for additional information and images or check with your hobby dealer for details.

Rapido Trains
855-572-6917
rapidotrains.com

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