Months ago, at the end of April to be exact, Athearn announced these passenger cars.  Athearn did not clearly provide a description of what was in the three-packs and that meant we missed two important factors. What was missed?  First, a clear explanation of what the 3-pack included and what significance that had.  And Second, the proper uses and combinations of the cars offered.

The Canadian Pacific passenger cars were featured on the original media page, which is fitting.  Because of our recent announcement about the Royal Hudson, customers have been asking about passenger cars to run behind the regular CPR Hudsons; these could work:  they are the typical high-arched roof, 85 foot cars used in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s (and for many years after those glory years) and they were powered by the steam locomotives still known for their beauty and service.

Why is the combo 3-pack important?  Because it contained the baggage car for the passengers' goods, a freight/baggage car for stations along the way, and an RPO to carry and distribute the mail.  These were three cars were never described and so we need everyone to know that was what was being offered in the three-pack.

We apologize that the announcement done originally did not connect the dots or explain matters as it should have done.   And NOW you can complete the whole train with all the necessary cars of a passenger train.

The arch roof and heavyweight passenger cars were signature to the 1920s-1940s passenger trains. As passenger rail developed in North America so did the needs of the travelling public. The arch roof passenger cars allowed the railroads to fulfill more seats per car than the wooden passenger cars they replaced. The arch roof cars carried on until the postwar streamlined passenger cars came into service. 

Available for various roads are:

3-PACK CONTAINING RPO, BAGGAGE & COMBO FREIGHT/BAGGAGE CARS
And SINGLE cars:  2 coaches, diner, and observation car.

Features:

• Stirrup Steps
• Fully assembled
• Separate Grab Irons
• Window Glazing
• Vestibule Partitions
• Removable, magentically attached roof
• Weighted for optimum performance
• McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
• 2 or 3-axle trucks, per prototype
• Razor sharp paint and printing
• Machined 33" metal RP25 profile wheels
• RPO comes with mail hook details on both sides
• Car length: 8.5 inches
• Minimum radius: 18"

We have confirmed that the entire seven-car set is still possible to order and are reserving enough sets to fulfill our Customers' Orders.

Expected Release: April 2018

jkb

---