By Railroad Model Craftsman Staff

Now available at your favorite hobby dealer are all-new NSC 73-foot center beam flatcars for N scale from Rapido Trains.

Used almost exclusively for the transport of finished lumber and wood products, Centerbeam flatcars derive their name from the massive open-framed structural support running longitudinally down the length of the car to give the car its strength in transporting its cargo.  Though conceived years earlier, centerbeam-design flats finally became a common sight by the late 1970s, beginning with shorter 60-foot cars.  By the late 1980s, new centerbeam flatcars of 73’ in length became the standard for lumber service.

Now available from Rapido Trains are N scale replicas of National Steel Car’s 73’ centerbeam flatcar in different versions and paint schemes.  Over 20,000 centerbeam flatcars were produced by National Steel Car, between 1987 through the mid-2000s, with numerous variations along the way.

For Rapido’s inaugural release, Two top truss configurations are offered – early Z pattern and standard closed pattern with tie-down brackets.  Additional variations include two different deck configurations;  early with risers and mid without risers, two underbody configurations, multiple end cage variations including different handbrake styles and more.

Paint schemes include: Trailer Train (TTZX), BNSF (brown), Canadian National (brown), Canadian Pacific (Action Red), British Columbia Railway (green), Mississippi Delta (MSDR, black) and Northwestern Oklahoma (NOKL, brown).  MSRP $44.95 each. Multiple road numbers available per scheme, with six-packs available for MSRP $269.70/set.    Available now in N scale while supplies last.

HO versions of this car will follow from Rapido in the fourth quarter of 2023.

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