The last life of the famous PB 253: this Rapido Trains PB HEP Heater Car recreates Algoma Central #78, the former Rio Grande 253, in the maroon-and-silver Agawa Canyon Tour Train scheme.
What sets this model apart is Rapido's signature prototype fidelity. Rebuilt in 1965 from an Alco PB-1 into a steam heater car for the Rio Grande, #253 received EMD Blomberg trucks in 1980 and Head End Power (HEP) generators in 1987 to power the Denver Ski Train's Tempo cars. Sold to the Algoma Central in 2006, it became AC 78 and now supplies power to the Agawa Canyon tour trains, still alongside the same Tempo cars and F40PHs. The model features the HEP-specific body, two-axle Blomberg trucks, accurate paint and lettering, and generator sound effects.
Features
- PB HEP Heater Car (ex-Alco PB-1) in HO scale, Algoma Central (Agawa Canyon) scheme, #78
- HEP-specific body; two-axle EMD Blomberg trucks
- First-ever plastic model of the PB heater and HEP car
- Generator sound effects
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Perfect companion to the Algoma Central Tempo cars
- Ready-to-run model
- HO scale
- Made by Rapido Trains
The last life of the famous PB 253: this Rapido Trains PB HEP Heater Car recreates Algoma Central #78, the former Rio Grande 253, in the maroon-and-silver Agawa Canyon Tour Train scheme.
What sets this model apart is Rapido's signature prototype fidelity. Rebuilt in 1965 from an Alco PB-1 into a steam heater car for the Rio Grande, #253 received EMD Blomberg trucks in 1980 and Head End Power (HEP) generators in 1987 to power the Denver Ski Train's Tempo cars. Sold to the Algoma Central in 2006, it became AC 78 and now supplies power to the Agawa Canyon tour trains, still alongside the same Tempo cars and F40PHs. The model features the HEP-specific body, two-axle Blomberg trucks, accurate paint and lettering, and generator sound effects.
Features
- PB HEP Heater Car (ex-Alco PB-1) in HO scale, Algoma Central (Agawa Canyon) scheme, #78
- HEP-specific body; two-axle EMD Blomberg trucks
- First-ever plastic model of the PB heater and HEP car
- Generator sound effects
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Perfect companion to the Algoma Central Tempo cars
- Ready-to-run model
- HO scale
- Made by Rapido Trains