WalthersMainline 910-51002 66' Rocket Train Booster Car with Refrigeration Unit Union Pacific #50021 HO Scale Pre-Order

WalthersMainline 66' Rocket Train Booster Car with Refrigeration Unit

Union Pacific • Road Number 50021 • SKU 910-51002 • HO Scale

Quick Specs

Product Overview

Some journeys to space begin with a much more grounded form of transportation. The WalthersMainline HO Scale Rocket Train Booster Car with Refrigeration Unit recreates one of the specialized heavy-duty flatcars used to transport solid rocket booster components across the country as part of NASA's remarkable rail operation.

First introduced with the Space Shuttle program in 1981, NASA's rocket train carried solid rocket boosters from Morton Thiokol in Utah to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The train used massive four-truck flatcars to transport rocket components beneath protective hoods. Cars carrying temperature-sensitive solid rocket booster propellant were equipped with refrigeration units to help maintain the cargo at a consistent temperature throughout the journey.

Finished for Union Pacific, this model combines the familiar appearance of one of America's most recognizable railroads with highly specialized aerospace transportation equipment. The detailed refrigeration unit, flexible piping, protective hood, and substantial four-truck profile make it an impressive addition to a complete rocket train or any collection of unusual heavy-duty freight equipment.

From the Space Shuttle to Artemis

NASA's original rocket train was retired in 2011 following the end of the Space Shuttle program, but rail transportation returned to this important role in 2020 with the beginning of the Artemis lunar program. Specialized trains once again began delivering solid rocket booster components for the Space Launch System, connecting modern railroading with the next generation of lunar exploration.

Product Features

Features of the 66' Rocket Booster Flatcar include:

• • Newly tooled protective hood
• • Newly tooled refrigeration unit with flexible piping on specified cars
• • Heavy die-cast metal body for improved tracking and performance
• • Correct 36" RP-25 metal wheels
• • Minimum radius: 24"
• • Available in both prototypical and special commemorative schemes celebrating NASA and the historic Artemis moon missions
• • Proto MAX(TM) metal knuckle couplers

Why We Love This Model

The addition of the refrigeration unit makes this model even more visually interesting than the standard booster car. Its flexible piping, protective hood, heavy die-cast construction, and four-truck configuration create a car that looks unlike almost anything else on the railroad. The Union Pacific scheme gives it a recognizable railroad identity while preserving the fascinating connection to NASA's space program.

Add Specialized Rocket Train Equipment to Your Railroad

Reserve this Union Pacific booster car with refrigeration equipment and bring one of America's most unusual heavy-duty rail operations to your HO scale layout.

Pre-Order Notice

This is a pre-order-only production—quantities are limited and based on reservations.

How to Place Your Pre-Order

1. Wait for the button to say “Pre-Order Now”
2. Confirm you see “$0.00 due today”
3. Complete checkout

How Pre-Orders Work

• • Reserve your item today.
• • We will contact you once inventory is en route to us with your final invoice.
• • Manufacturer delivery dates are estimates and may change.
• • You will still enter payment information at checkout, but as long as you see “$0.00 due today”, your card will not be charged.
• • We do not automatically charge cards when pre-orders arrive. You will receive a separate invoice once your item is ready to ship.

Important Note

Orders placed without the “$0.00 due today” option selected will be processed as full-payment orders. Please review our refund policy and other pre-order policies before placing your order.