Prior to the modern era, railroad passenger cars were heated by steam. Many early diesel units assigned to passenger service were equipped with steam generators to provide heat for their trains.

As the Rio Grande went through the 1950s and 1960s, most of its steam generator equipped locomotives were nearing retirement. To provide heat for its remaining passenger trains, the D&RGW built several steam generator cars whose sole purpose was to provide the steam needed to heat the trains. The most famous of these were a pair of units that were rebuilt from Alco PB-1 locos in 1965, numbers 252 and 253. Number 252 quickly became a backup unit while 253 handled most of the assignments.

The Rio Grande opted to stay out of Amtrak, continuing to run its Rio Grande Zephyr until 1983. The steam generator cars provided heat for this train in the winter months. Since the Alco PA/PB series were so well loved by fans, the PB-based heater cars enjoyed a celebrity status. In 1980, the 253 was rebuilt with EMD Blomberg trucks, giving it a unique if somewhat ungainly appearance.

After 1983 the #253 was reassigned to the Rio Grande’s Ski Train. In 1987 it was again rebuilt, this time with Head End Power (HEP) generators to provide electricity needed to heat the Ski Train’s new lightweight cars. It carried the name “Moffat Tunnel” until being renamed for Rio Grande mechanic Joseph G. Harris in 1994. It stayed in service on the Ski Train until the arrival of assigned F40PH locos in 2001.

In 2006 #253 was sold to the Algoma Central, becoming AC #78. It is now used on the Algoma Central’s Agawa Canyon trains.

• THE REBUILT PB STEAM GENERATOR AND HEP CAR — A FIRST AS A PLASTIC MODEL!
• USED ON THE FAMOUS SKI TRAIN AS WELL AS OTHER SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS
• MULTIPLE SCHEMES COVERING THE STEAM HEAT AND LATER HEP ERAS

THE RAPIDO PB STEAM GENERATOR AND HEP CARS FEATURE:

• Two different body styles – steam and HEP
• Two different truck styles – Alco 3-axle and Blomberg 2-axle
• Metal knuckle couplers
• Accurate paint and lettering

Looking for more Rapido Trains Inc. Steam Generator and Heater Cars? Click here!