Rapido's commemorative Mike McGrattan gondolas for charity

[bbussey]

In honor of our fallen friend and colleague Mike McGrattan, Rapido Trains has announced that it is producing two commemorative Puddington Valley gondolas, with the entire proceeds going to a college education fund for Mike's son Sam.  The Prarie Valley Shadows 52' Eastern Car Company mill gondola will be utilized for the project.  The models, which will be delivered in November, can be ordered through Rapido Trains here, at the cost of $35 each.

http://rapidotrains.com/mike-mcgrattan-gondola/



Edited to add better link and correct the manufacturer name.

[ryan_wilkerson]

I'm getting a 404 error on the link but here are a couple direct links.
USA:
http://rapidousa-com.3dcartstores.com/Rapido-Mike-McGrattan-Memorial-Puddington-Valley-Lines-Gondola-in-N-Scale_p_147.html
Canada:
http://rapidotrains.3dcartstores.com/Rapido-Mike-McGrattan-Memorial-Puddington-Valley-Lines-Gondola-in-N-Scale_p_148.html

Here is another thread about it (maybe merge?)
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=39344.0

[GaryHinshaw]

Ordered mine.  One puzzle: on the Rapido page, Mike's dates are listed 1962-2016, while the two car numbers are 1964 and 2016.  I sent them a note asking if that was intentional.

Here is another thread about it (maybe merge?)

In this case, I think multiple threads is a good thing.

[eric220]

I hope they don't run into any copyright issues with the logo.

[wm3798]

I'm so totally in for one of these.

Lee

[davefoxx]

I ordered mine!  I have long enjoyed adding a car decorated for each railroad that my friends model, and this gondola will make a great way to keep the memory of Puddy alive.  Thank you, Rapido Trains.

DFF

[dnhouston]

I ordered mine!  I can't think of a more fitting memorial for Puddy.

[bbussey]

Ordered mine.  One puzzle: on the Rapido page, Mike's dates are listed 1962-1916, while the two car numbers are 1964 and 2016.  I sent them a note asking if that was intentional.

Pretty sure the car# is correct while the website date is off ... if I remember correctly what Mike told me when it came up in conversation, which I believe I do because I remember him as being born the same year as my sister.

[peteski]

1916 must be a typo either way.  If he was born in 1962 (which I'm positive is correct) then 1916 would be decades before he was born.  He did pass away in 2016 so that date (road number) makes sense.

[BCR 570]

I remember reading somewhere that Mike was aged 52 at the time of his passing, which if correct would mean he was born in 1964.

Tim

[bbussey]

1916 must be a typo either way.  If he was born in 1962 (which I'm positive is correct) then 1916 would be decades before he was born.  He did pass away in 2016 so that date (road number) makes sense.

Gary's post is a typo. The website announcement has the dates as 1962-2016, while the gondola reporting marks are 1964 and 2016. My sister was born in 1964 and I recall that they were born in the same year from conversations that Mike and I had. I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain that 1964 is the correct year of birth.

[mcjaco]

Ordered mine. 

It'll have to be weathered per Pud's methods.   

[GaryHinshaw]

Gary's post is a typo.

Yep, that was careless of me in a post about dates!    My question was about 1962 vs. 1964.  The web site is easy to fix, but it would be a shame if the car had the wrong number.

Added - Rapido just confirmed that 1962 was in error, but the gons are correct.

[pdx1955]

Just ordered one for me. I've wanted one of these Prairie Shadows cars for a while and this car fits in perfectly. This is a fitting tribute to Rapido and Mike.

[Smike]

There should be no option for any TRW member not to get one, might as well delete your account if you don't  (no peer pressure)