Up for sale is a Rivarossi HO scale Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 14-car passenger set, finished in the classic GM&O red, maroon, black, and gold passenger scheme. This is a large and impressive passenger consist with a strong GM&O / Alton Route appearance. The consist can be displayed as a long overnight passenger train, a sleeper-heavy GM&O consist, or a more dramatic streamliner-style passenger train with the rounded observation bringing up the rear. The cars present very nicely overall, with matching GM&O paint, gold lettering, visible passenger interiors on many cars, detailed trucks, and strong shelf presence. It has been stored carefully and has not been run by me due to illness. Prototype History – Gulf, Mobile & Ohio. The Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad, commonly known as the GM&O, was formed in 1940 through the merger of the Gulf, Mobile & Northern and Mobile & Ohio. GM&O became one of the more recognizable railroads of the Midwest and South, with routes reaching from the Gulf Coast northward through Mobile, Jackson, St. Louis, Chicago, and other important railroad cities. GM&O’s passenger identity was especially strong because of its connection to the former Alton Route, the Chicago-St. Louis corridor inherited through the railroad’s acquisition of the Chicago & Alton. GM&O passenger trains wore some of the most attractive colors of the postwar era, with the deep red and maroon scheme becoming closely associated with trains such as the Abraham Lincoln, Ann Rutledge, Alton Limited, Gulf Coast Rebel, The Rebel, and Midnight Special. Train History – The Midnight Special. This set is especially well suited as a GM&O Midnight Special-inspired consist. The real Midnight Special was an overnight passenger train operating between Chicago and St. Louis, originally under the Chicago & Alton and later under Gulf, Mobile & Ohio ownership. In its classic era, the Midnight Special was known as a sleeper-heavy overnight train designed for passengers who wanted to board late in the evening and arrive the next morning. The name carries a certain romance beyond railroading as well – “The Midnight Special” became one of America’s best-known folk/blues standards, later recorded by many artists, including Creedence Clearwater Revival. For a GM&O passenger consist, the name has exactly the right late-night, sleeper-train feel. This Rivarossi set should be viewed as a modeler’s / collector’s GM&O passenger consist rather than a strict car-for-car prototype recreation, but it captures the look, mood, and presentation of a classic GM&O overnight passenger train beautifully. Cars present nicely overall. Please review the photos carefully for condition, finish, lettering, glazing, interiors, trucks, couplers, underbody details, boxes, and any small detail parts. Packaging shows typical age and storage wear. Rivarossi HO scale passenger set. Gulf, Mobile & Ohio / Alton Route styling. 14 total passenger cars. Includes RPO, baggage, baggage lounge, coaches, diner, sleepers, tail car, and observation. Both flat-end tail car and rounded-end observation included. Matching GM&O red, maroon, black, and gold passenger scheme. Great candidate for a GM&O Midnight Special-inspired consist. Original / period Rivarossi boxes included as shown. Ideal for GM&O, Alton Route, Illinois Central Gulf, Midwestern passenger service, or custom streamliner layouts. Cars and boxes will be protected to minimize movement during transit.
