he Rapido Trains HO Scale Budd Slumbercoach is based on cars built by Budd for a number of railroads. In the mid 1950s, with passengers quickly switching to airline travel or the private automobile, the Budd company devised the Slumbercoach as an economical way to attract overnight passengers back to the rails. With a capacity of 40 passengers in a 24 single room plus 8 double room plan, the Slumbercoaches offered a lower cost alternative positioned between coach seating and a first class bedroom on overnight runs. A single aisle in the center of the car was flanked by the single and double rooms on each side. With 18 cars built new between 1956 and 1959, these cars with their distinctive staggered windows could be seen on some of the USA's most famous trains such as the North Coast Limited, Denver Zephyr, National Limited, Texas Eagle and many more. Later, in 1964 the NP acquired the B&O and MP cars and at least 2 cars ended up with BN lettering briefly in 1970-71. The entire fleet would end up with Amtrak in the 70s and 80s with all cars converted to head end power. Most lasted into the 1990s when they were finally retired and replaced with more modern equipment such as the Superliner II and Viewliners. Most of the fleet still exists today in museum collections and in private ownership. One car - Loch Ness - has been fully restored by Webb Rail and in This
- Fully detailed and decorated
- Fully decorated and assembled with factory-installed grab
- Full underbody
- Realistic stainless steel
- Track-powered
- Free-rolling 41-NDO-11 trucks with metal wheelsets and integral power
- Etched-metal end