It is a common theme here on the Onondaga Cutoff blog, but it is worth reading again that this hobby is getter better and better. Month by month there are new products coming out that help us to replicate our favorite equipment across nearly all eras.
The new Rapido Trains CP and CN rebuilt intermodal flatcars are some of the latest to arrive. These are the cars that were once boxcars and flatcars and were rebuilt from the frame up to handle piggyback trailers, and later, containers. Open deck grating was included to cut weight as possible and the cars had a very distinctive look. Some of them on CP lasted until the late 1990's, and they showed up on not only CP trains but also D&H and Conrail.
Even just a quick look like this shows the specific prototype detail possible now in a new car. Weathering is underway and once the car is added to the fleet, I will include a few more photos for you. Stuff like this really adds some flavor to any intermodal train, and it will be nice to include some variety on the OC in piggyback operations!
While any of these could certainly have been kitbashed, the availability of them commercially allows modelers to assemble a fleet of them, and also enables all of us to have more time for the railroad and for weathering as opposed to having to kitbash these cars. From my view it is a win-win to have cars like this available to us all - and another sign that the hobby is healthy and getting better.
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