Description
Pre-Order Due Date: January 15th 2027
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Pre-Order FAQ
Most manufacturers give an ETA on when they expect to release the pre-order which can be seen near the "add to cart" button on the product page. They also give an order due date (found in the product description) which is indicative of when the product is expected to go into production.
There is a 5% NON-refundable deposit for preorders, this amount will be deducted from the price of the product when it arrives. You will see how much downpayment is required after adding the item to your cart. We do not store your payment information and it is not charged by us when the product arrives.
For any pre-order submitted after the due date, we will try our best to fulfill your pre-order, but are at the mercy of the manufacturer and if they produce more than were preordered by their dealers. If we cannot fulfill your pre-order we will credit the 5% deposit to you.
When the pre-ordered product(s) are available to ship, you will receive an email requesting the remaining 95% payment that will take you to your cart. It is at this point you are asked for shipping address and method OR in-store pickup.. We will never charge your payment method without you checking out. At this time you are also able to add other in-stock items if you wish.
Please note that Estimated Arrival Dates can change at any point. Midwest Model Railroad is not responsible for manufacturers delaying production. Visit midwestmodelrr.com/pre-orders/ for more information.
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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.
In 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&RGW had on hand. In 2000, they purchased three ex-Amtrak F40PHs to power these cars.
Following 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.
Please note photos of models are from the previous run and are subject to design improvements and changes.
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- Four different types of cars: Coach, Snack Coach, Cafe-Bar-Lounge and Clubs
- Addition of the GP40 for a classic 1980s Ski Train consist
- Own the entire 14-car consist!
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The Ski Train and Tempo Train feature:
- Full, multi-colour interior with individually installed seats
- Complete underbody with separate piping and conduit
- Track-powered “Easy-Peasy” interior lighting and working marker lights operated by magnetic wand (included)
- Capacitor installed for flicker-free lighting over dirty track
- Super-detailed, free-rolling trucks and wheelsets
- Detailed diaphragms with etched-metal end gates
- Separate grab irons installed at the factory
- Suggested minimum radius: 22"
Ski Train GP40
In 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.
We’re excited to offer this classic post-F-unit look of the 1980s!
Features:
- Equipped with licensed Cannon & Company 48” radiator and dynamic brake fans
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters and a silly number of separately applied parts
- Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating signal lights and beacons (where appropriate)
- Road-specific battery box doors
- Correct fuel tank sizes per road number
- Multiple styles of stepwells
- See-through, etched-metal steps
- Appropriate cab or nose headlights
- Multiple truck sideframes tooled
- Multiple dynamic-brake hatches
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
- Iconic four-axle locomotive popular during the 1980s
- Used on the famous Ski Train with the PB Steam Heater and HEP Car
Photo courtesy of Bruce Fingerhood.
Photo courtesy of Steve Patterson.
Photo courtesy of Bruce Fingerhood.
Photo courtesy of Steve Patterson.
Details
Scale: |
HO Scale |
Road Name: |
Denver Ski Train |
Road Number: |
253 "Moffat Tunnel" |
