In 1967, the Canadian National Railway took delivery of 150 all-new vans (cabooses) from Hawker-Siddeley. These cars were a massive improvement over the ancient wooden cabooses that they replaced.  These modern steel cars came equipped with electric lighting, refrigerator and a cushioned underframe.  Now available from your favorite dealer are highly detailed replicas of these modern cabooses from Rapido.  These models feature operating marker lights, track light, step lights and full interior lighting, Barber-Bettendorf trucks with all-wheel electrical pickup, separately applied grab irons, and much more.  Liveries include CN “As Delivered Red/Orange Steps”, CN “Late w/Black Steps”, CN International Service, and Devco (green/black). MSRP $129.95 each. Available now.

Rapido Trains, 500 Alden Road, Unit 21 Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5, Canada;1-855-572-6917; www.rapidotrains.com

Numbered from 79200 to 79348, these Hawker-Siddeley built cabooses wore several different paint variations over their service lives Pictured here is the red/orange livery that the cars wore when first delivered.

Located in Nova Scotia, the Devco Railway took over the operations of the Sydney and Louisburg Railway on March 30, 1968 and operated until 2001, when it was succeeded by the Sydney Coal Railway.  Devco operated at least five of these ex-CN vans beginning in 1991.