Thanks to John Westley and John Greene we have HO models of Heater Cars 6 and 7 now in the store!
Great Northern used heater cars with passenger trains running though the New Cascade Tunnel completed in January of 1929. Trains transiting the 7.79-mile-long tunnel could not use steam power because of toxic gas ventilation problems, and the Z-1 and Y-1 electrics ordered for tunnel service did not have steam generators, so steam for heating and hot water had to be provided by “steam heater cars”. See GNRHS Reference Sheet 358, March, 2010 for more background.
Increasing passenger traffic during World War II, including troop trains, led GN to rebuild two 40’ baggage and express cars, 200 and 201, into heater cars 6 and 7 in 1943.
Heater cars 6 and 7 were originally painted solid Pullman green, but were repainted in the orange and green scheme with deluxe striping around 1951. They were repainted in the simplified orange and green scheme sometime after 1964. See pages 16-18 in RS 358 for the various paint schemes.
They received no major external modifications, except a backup light was added on one end in 1960, as were locking hose filler ports. Roller bearings were also applied in 1960.
Car #6 was sold to the Western Pacific on November 11, 1968. Car #7 was sold to the SP&S in 1969 for use as a stationary steam plant following a fire that destroyed the original steam plant in Vancouver, Washington.
This kit by Bethlehem Car Works represents GN heater cars 6 and 7 as they appeared from 1943 to 1960. The kit has a 3D printed body, underbody and truck frames, and includes Intermountain metal wheels. Grab irons and steps are included, as is wire for forming the pipe along the top and smaller wire for the end grab irons. Instructions are included with the kit. Couplers are not included.
To model these cars after 1960, the backup light can be added using a Details West E & F unit Back-Up Lamp, part #162. The locking hose filler ports can be added using the same parts harvested from plastic EMD A and B unit bodies, using the photos in RS 358 to determine placement.
GNRHS Reference Sheet 358 is available for purchase as a digital download at the GNRHS Company Store.
Peter,
There are no more available and will not be because the manufacturer died.
Are these still available? Have one wanted to get another.