Rapido Trains HO scale Osgood Bradley coach

The distinct paired-window, early lightweight Pullman Standard/Osgood Bradley streamlined coaches have long been sought-after by New Haven and Boston & Maine fans. Highly detailed models of these cars in accurate era-specific configurations are now available in plastic in HO scale from Rapido Trains in multiple road numbers.
 
Rapido’s Osgood Bradley cars represent the 10-paired-window deluxe coach cars built by Pullman Standard’s Osgood Bradley plant in Worcester, Mass. The largest order for these cars was placed by the New York, New Haven & Hartford RR between 1935 and 1938. The cars featured lightweight construction, air conditioning, and seats for 84 passengers. The New Haven’s Pullman/Bradley fleet numbered 100 deluxe coaches, as well as 100 11-paired-window standard coaches (seating 92) and 5 grill cars. All the cars were delivered with full skirting.

According to Wayne Drummond’s article in the Volume 16, Issue 3 of the Shoreliner, published by the New Haven Historical Railroad & Technical Association, over time a number of modifications were made to the cars. All but 10 were originally delivered with two-axle solid-bearing AAR trucks. In the late 1940s, the solid bearings were replaced with Fafnir roller bearings. The skirting disappeared in stages, starting with the truck door skirting in the 1940s, followed by the rest of the skirting in the 1950s.
 
Rapido offers the coaches in various configurations reflecting these changes, including the as-delivered full skirts, modified skirts (no door skirts), and no skirts, as well as both solid-bearing and roller-bearing AAR trucks. The firm offers the cars decorated in several different paint schemes for the NH, including the as-delivered all Hunter Green, the in-between green and black variations, and the final Patrick McGinnis “Black Knight” black-and-red version.

Several other railroads owned the 10-paired-window configuration of the Pullman/Bradley cars. The Boston & Maine ordered 30 cars between 1935 and 1937, but these cars did not include the body skirting. Rapido offers these in two paint schemes. The Bangor & Aroostook also purchased five cars in 1937, and those are offered as well.

Detail to die for. The models match all of the major dimensions for length, height, and width from the New Haven’s own car diagrams. The cars are beautifully detailed, with splendid underbody plumbing, etched-brass end gates, and see-through step wells, all features you’d expect on brass models, not plastic ones. And the car includes factory-installed truck and brake chains – a great touch!
 
The coaches also include a few modeler-applied details, such as steam line connectors and steam traps, which are easy to install with cyanoacrylate adhesive. These are delicate parts, so add them only when you’re ready to put the car in service on your layout

The models feature a detailed interior, including separately applied seats molded in color, lavatories, and the distinct round bulkhead mirrors seen inside the New Haven cars. The models also come with Rapido’s battery-powered (supplied) Easy-Peasy lighting system. With the full interior and the lights, these cars are perfect for installing passenger figures.

Rapido has done a wonderful job with its attention to detail on these cars, and though the manufacturer’s website says they’re already out of stock, to the B&M or NH fan, it’s worth the effort to find them.

Price: $74.95

Manufacturer
Rapido Trains
445 Edgeley Boulevard, Unit 1
Concord, ON L4K 4G1 Canada
www.rapidotrains.com

Era: 1935 to 1969, depending upon paint scheme

Features

• Interior lighting
• Minimum radius 22″
• Operating couplers at correct height (one trip pin needed minor adjustment)
• RP-25 contour metal wheels in gauge
• Weight: 7.25 ounces (.5 ounces heavier than National Model Railroad Association RP-20.1)