Rapido HO – NSC 89' Autorack
Looking for that tall, lean car that gives your trains an imposing, distinctly Canadian look — the one that moved new cars and trucks from the plants to the dealers? This collection brings together the versions of Rapido Trains' NSC 89' autorack, in both bi-level and tri-level configurations. Long, tall, and instantly spotted in a consist, this car is a must-have for anyone modeling North American freight from the 1960s to today.
Rapido recreates this car from the original blueprints and field measurements. In 1962, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific acquired their first 89' tri-level autoracks, designed to carry automobiles across three compact levels of "racks"; vehicles were driven onto the platforms, then tied down for the journey. The racks were built by Whitehead & Kales of Detroit, and the 89' flatcar produced by National Steel Car of Hamilton, Ontario. Orders followed from 1963 through 1965, then a fourth for CP in 1968 — over 400 cars for CN and over 300 for CP. The bi-level version, created in 1964 for light trucks and utility vehicles, met the same success (202 for CP, 125 for CN). This collection captures all that variety across multiple liveries and operators. Finely detailed and ready to run, these cars bring your layout the realism Rapido is known for.
What this collection brings together:
- NSC 89' autoracks, HO scale (1:87)
- Bi-level (light trucks, utility vehicles) and tri-level (automobiles) configurations
- Newly tooled from original blueprints and measurements
- Full underbody details and airline piping
- Separate metal grab irons
- Etched-metal safety mesh screen on appropriate cars
- Semi-scale metal knuckle couplers
- Free-rolling trucks with profiled metal wheelsets
- Multiple liveries and operators (Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and more)
- Available as single cars or six-packs depending on the run
- Suggested minimum radius: 22" (56 cm)
- Ideal for manifest freight trains, 1960s to today
