{"product_id":"preorder-rapido-ho-1043092-ski-train-amtk-f40ph-283","title":"PREORDER Rapido HO 1043092 Ski Train AMTK F40PH #283","description":"The famous Rio Grande Ski Train was a passenger service that transported skiers from downtown Denver to the slopes of the Rockies. From 1940 until 2009, the Ski Train ran between Denver Union Station and Winter Park, Colorado. Standing just outside of Moffat Tunnel's west portal was the city of Denver's fancy ski slopes, which they bought back in 1940. From the onset, the Ski train used heavyweight coaches and F-units. If no steam generator-equipped locomotive was on hand to supply steam to heat the cars, the DRGW trotted out one of their PB steam heater cars to do the job.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1988, with new railroad ownership, the Ski train was re-equipped with 14 former CN\/VIA Rail \"Tempo\" coaches. These cars were built by Hawker Siddeley in 1968 for intercity services and consisted of coaches, Snack Coaches, Cafe-Bar-Lounges and Club cars. These cars came equipped with Head End Power (HEP) and therefore needed a locomotive with a HEP generator or a specialized generator car to supply power. For many years the Ski Train utilized those same PB Steam heater cars, now rebuilt with HEP generators, to supply power throughout the train. For 12 years, this train was seen operating with GP40s and other freight power the D\u0026amp;RGW had on hand. In 2000, they purchased three ex-Amtrak F40PHs to power these cars.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing the end of service on the Ski Train in 2009, the cars were stored until being purchased by Canadian National. The F40s and the Tempo cars were redeployed on their Agawa Canyon Tour Train, which was originally operated by the Algoma Central Railway until its purchase by CN.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSki Train GP40 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the 1980s, the Rio Grande Ski Train utilized GP40 locomotives to power the train from Denver to Winter Park, Colorado. These GP40s looked sharp with a full passenger consist behind them as they rocketed up the side of the Rocky Mountains and through the famous Moffat Tunnel. To provide head end power to the cars, the GP40s teamed up with a converted PB B-unit that provided the HEP.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe’re excited to offer this classic post-F-unit look of the 1980s!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFeatures:\u003cbr\u003eEquipped with licensed Cannon \u0026amp; Company 48” radiator and dynamic brake fans\u003cbr\u003eRapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions\u003cbr\u003eIncredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters and a silly number of separately applied parts\u003cbr\u003eSeparate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory\u003cbr\u003eOperating signal lights and beacons (where appropriate)\u003cbr\u003eRoad-specific battery box doors\u003cbr\u003eCorrect fuel tank sizes per road number\u003cbr\u003eMultiple styles of stepwells\u003cbr\u003eSee-through, etched-metal steps\u003cbr\u003eAppropriate cab or nose headlights\u003cbr\u003eMultiple truck sideframes tooled\u003cbr\u003eMultiple dynamic-brake hatches\u003cbr\u003eMoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running\u003cbr\u003eDC\/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or Dual-Mode DC\/DCC\/Sound\u003cbr\u003eSuggested minimum radius: 18”","brand":"Rapido","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42540827967570,"sku":"RPI-1043092-PRE","price":26.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0581\/3410\/2098\/files\/1048092_-_ski_train_283.jpg?v=1786343955","url":"https:\/\/modeltrainstuff.com\/products\/preorder-rapido-ho-1043092-ski-train-amtk-f40ph-283","provider":"Model Train Stuff","version":"1.0","type":"link"}