D&RGW 800 Series Drop Bottom Gondolas


Second Release Spring 2011 - Advance Reservations Now!

Our first release of 800 Series Drop Bottom Gondolas was a tremendous hit! All of these wonderful cars sold out before the shipment arrived from our factory and we continue to receive requests for more. In response, we are announcing a second release of these Drop Bottom Gondolas, due in Spring of 2011.


A Little History

In the early 1900s, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad placed a large rolling stock order between two major railroad car manufacturers. In the midst of all these new arrivals, one particular style of car had a unique look and served a special purpose. In March of 1904, the National Car Company delivered 200 drop bottom style gondolas to the railroad numbering from 700-899. The cars in the 800 series were especially unique as they were equipped with tall side racks to accommodate the loading of coke (specially processed coal) and they also included a complicated set of levers to operate the dump loading feature of the cars. By 1918, the coke racks were removed and the door operating system was upgraded to a much simpler lever system. From this time period on, the 800 series cars were very similar to the 700 series lot, and both classes were rebuilt and reinforced in 1926. The majority of these cars were continually used to handle coal transportation across the D&RGW narrow gauge system right up to the end of operations.

Today, the surviving cars reside in various locations, with most of them being found in Durango, Colorado on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and in Chama, New Mexico on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. The Blackstone Models versions reflect the appearance of the fleet after their 1926 rebuilding.



Blackstone Models Pre-Production Model



Version Matrix

D&RGW 800 Series Drop Bottom Gondolas in HOn3!
Road No. P.N. Herald and Paint Description Price
848 B340556 Royal Gorge Route, More Sun-faded $54.95
848 B340556W Royal Gorge Route, More Sun-faded, Weathered $59.95
857 B340557 Moffat Tunnel, Lightly Sun-faded $54.95
857 B340557W Moffat Tunnel, Lightly Sun-faded, Weathered $59.95
872 B340558 Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped $54.95
872 B340558W Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped, Lightly Weathered $59.95
879 B340559 Moffat Tunnel, Lightly Sun-faded $54.95
879 B340559W Moffat Tunnel, Lightly Sun-faded, Weathered $59.95
882 B340560 Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped $54.95
882 B340560W Flying Grande, Ffreshly Shopped, Lightly Weathered $59.95
899 B340561 Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped $54.95
899 B340561W Flying Grande, Freshly Shopped, Lightly Weathered $59.95