Con-Cor - 0001-04081N - Passenger Car, Lightweight, Great Northern Baggage - Rio Grande - 1210

Model Information: This model has been around for a while. The originals were produced by Kato Japan operating as Sekisui Kinzoku. Later versions were made in China. The models are based on prototypes from the late 1950's and reasonably accurate though somewhat "generic".
This baggage car model is a close match to Great Northern’s baggage cars, which they rebuilt from heavyweight passenger cars from 1947 through the early 50’s.

As of 2016, these have been produced in 40 road names across 7 different varieties for a total of 280 cars. Each road name has a Baggage-Mail, Baggage, Coach, Sleeper, Dome, Diner and Observation variety

The models are currently available in both Micro-Trains Magnetmatic couplers as well as Con-Cor's "Rigid Face" couplers. They are fully assembled "RTR" models with detailed interiors, and add-on lighting kits are separately available.

Prototype History: Great Northern’s baggage cars were rebuilt from heavyweight passenger cars from 1947 through the early 50’s. Though the Great Northern ordered RPO cars new from AC&F and PS during 1947-1951, baggage cars were rebuilt from old heavyweight cars. Thus GN had a variety of lengths (74' to 85'), trucks, doors, door spacing, and roofs.
GN rebuilt baggage cars roster here on the Friends of BN Railroad website.

Road Name History: The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (reporting mark DRGW), often shortened to Rio Grande, D&RG or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, was an American Class I railroad company. The railroad started as a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado in 1870. It served mainly as a transcontinental bridge line between Denver, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 1988, the Rio Grande's parent corporation, Rio Grande Industries, purchased Southern Pacific Transportation Company, and as the result of a merger, the larger Southern Pacific Railroad name was chosen for identity. The Rio Grande operated as a separate division of the Southern Pacific, until that company was acquired by the Union Pacific Railroad. Today, most former D&RGW main lines are owned and operated by the Union Pacific while several branch lines are now operated as heritage railways by various companies.

Brand/Importer Information: Con-Cor has been in business since 1962. Many things have changed over time as originally they were a complete manufacturing operation in the USA and at one time had upwards of 45 employees. They not only designed the models,but they also built their own molds, did injection molding, painting, printing and packaging on their models.

Currently, most of their manufacturing has been moved overseas and now they import 90% of their products as totally finished goods, or in finished components. They only do some incidental manufacturing today within the USA.

Important Note: The Con-Cor product numbering can be very confusing. Please see here in the article how to properly enter Con-Cor stock numbers in the TroveStar database.