At the conclusion of World War II, American railroads commenced replacing passenger fleets comprised of pre-war cars. With an aging fleet of heavyweight cars, the Northern Pacific Railway began construction of all new, all lightweight passenger train consists.

While a number of railroads waited until their new trains were complete before putting them into service, the Northern Pacific Railway opted to introduce cars into the North Coast Limited as those car orders were filled by the Pullman Standard Car Company. Not until 1948 did the North Coast Limited, painted in its rich "Pine Tree Scheme," appear as a completed lightweight train. Challenger, certainly the most well-known and highly regarded name in full consist passenger trains, has now commissioned Samhongsa Co., Ltd. to build the 1948 North Coast Limited in all of its brightness and attractive blending of colors.

Pulled by Burlington power from Chicago to Minneapolis and powered on the rest of its journey by Northern Pacific F3 diesel sets (also being modeled by Challenger), the North Coast Limited traversed one of the major northern routes from the Midwest to the Northwest. The railroad's slogan, "Main Street of the Northwest," was given both credence and significance by the introduction of the all lightweight North Coast Limited.

Fully factory painted and finished. Full interiors. Challenger's North Coast Limited will be delivered as:

2351.1S 1948 North Coast Limited 10-car train. Pine Tree scheme. Water Baggage Car (Plan 7532) • Mail Dormitory Car (Plan 7533) • Two 56-Seat Coach – Smoking Lounge (Plan 7510) • 56-Seat Coach – Leg Rests (Plan 7509) • 28-Seat Chair Buffet Lounge (Plan 7511) • Lunch Counter Dining Car (Plan 7534) • Two 8-6-3-1 Sleeping Cars (Plan 4119) • Four Bedrooms, One Compartment Observation Car (Plan 4120).

2351.2S 1948 North Coast Limited 3-Pack "A." Pine Tree Scheme. 56-Seat Coach – Smoking Lounge (Plan 7510) • 56-Seat Coach – Leg Rests (Plan 7509) • 8-6-3-1 Sleeping Car (Plan 4119).

2351.3S 1948 North Coast Limited 3-Pack "B." Pine Tree Scheme. 56-Seat Coach – Leg Rests (SP&S - Plan 7509) • 56-Seat Coach – Smoking Lounge (Plan 7510) • 8-6-3-1 Sleeping Car (SP&S - Plan 4119)