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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 224
©2026 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
Do you believe in miracles? Yes!
This month we're back and we're bringing the "rizz". (as young people say...or we think that's what they say.) We're slayin' with new product updates for three of our existing projects!
So, like a downhill skier, let's "jump" into these frosty announcements!
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In this 224th issue...
- New Announcements
- N Scale Rebuilt F40 Update
- Rapido is Hiring — Warranty Tech
- Meet and Greet — The Model Railroad Club, Inc. (Union, NJ)
- New Videos
- Tooling, Factory and Shipping Updates
- New Photos
If you are using a web-based email service such as Gmail, be sure to click on the link near the bottom of the email that says something like "[Message clipped] View entire message". That will ensure you don't miss any of this newsletter.
Please note that all renders, pre-production samples and artwork are subject to change before the final product release.
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NEW SCHEMES: HO Scale SW9 Locomotive
Wham, bam, slam...do you like flashy new things? We have many flashy new schemes for the HO Scale SW9 Locomotive! But wait, there's more! These are on the way from the factory. That means there are only limited numbers available and then THEY. ARE. GONE.
Let's kick it off with a new video announcing these special schemes. Click here or the photo above to watch.
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Cambria and Indiana Bicentennial
The Cambria and Indiana Railroad was a scrappy shortline buried in the heart of Pennsylvania's coal country. At one point they generated the most revenue per mile hauling coal out of the mines, headed to one of Bethlehem Steel's plants.
In 1976, as the USA was celebrating our 200th Anniversary, the C&I joined in on the fun, repainting SW9 number 36 in "Spirit of '76" colors. Even the trucks were white and blue!
The C&I Bicentennial SW9 features:
- Modified headlight
- Hancock 4710 air whistle (without reflector)
- Plain bearing Flexicoil trucks
- Hood-mounted handrails
Check out the production sample!
| The C&I Bicentennial SW9 wore a striking combination of red, white and blue, along with an eagle prominent on the long hood. | |
Above we see the unique modified headlight casting.
Below is the Hancock air whistle without reflector. (A Hancock 4710 in official terminology.)
| Flexicoils with a twist! Note these have plain bearings—a seldom used option on the Flexicoil trucks. | |
Soo Line "Twin Ports" Duluth and Superior 2-Unit Set
In 1978, the Soo Line repainted SW9 2119 into a tribute scheme dedicated to the Port of Superior. It was done up just in time for Railroad Appreciation Day in Superior, Wisconsin. Later in 1979, the Soo repainted 2118 into a similar scheme but with Duluth affixed to the sides. Together, these two SW9s worked on transfer jobs between the two ports.
The design has neat waves with the lettering stylized but we like to think they look like sharks. You know, those fresh water sharks of the Great Lakes.
Soo Line 2118 and 2119 2-Unit Set feature:
- Dual Leslie airhorns
- Spark arrestors
- Beacons on cab roof
- Brass-colored bells
- Wave graphics with "Duluth" or "Superior"
Check out the samples below. Again, these are in limited numbers. Once they are gone, they are gone.
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Those spark arrestors contrast nicely with the scheme.
Below, one beacon is mid-flash!
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Canadian National Post-1954 Scheme
Our third addition is the Canadian National Post-1954 Scheme. While it is very similar to the as-delivered scheme, this version features the Maple Leaf logo inside of the circle. As far as we know, all ten CN SW9s got the roundel and anyone modelling the late 1950s and 1960s will need this modified version.
The Canadian National Post-1954 Schemes feature:
- Single chime airhorn
- AAR "switcher trucks" with plain bearings
- Single-barrel headlight with numberboards
- Hood-mounted handrails
- Brass-simulated bell
- CN Maple Leaf 1954 round logo
Hey look! We have samples of these, below!
| The CN post-1954 scheme fits right in with any other CN switcher. | |
All of the new scheme SW9 Locomotives feature:
- Highly detailed cab interior
- See-through metal etched parts
- Many road specific details
- Heavy diecast frame
- Diecast gear boxes for added weight
- Rapido Semi Scale metal couplers
- Full LED lighting, including: operating beacons/flashing lights where appropriate
- Dual-mode DC/DCC/ESU LokSound
- MoPower capacitor for uninterrupted DCC power
Nine popular schemes plus three "industrial-style" unlettered schemes to ogle over! See them below.
| The above four paint schemes have been produced in very limited quantities. Please order yours today as we expect them to be sold out before they arrive in March. Delivery will be late March or April. So... no waiting two years for these! | | |
HOBBYTYME EXCLUSIVE! HO Scale Bicentennial SW9 Locomotives
HobbyTyme of Connecticut is offering an exclusive run of Pittsburg and Shawmut SW9 locomotives! They'll be offering three roadnumbers, each carrying a unique name. 1775 has the name "Independence", 1851 carries "Sam Colt" and 1866 sports "Oliver Winchester". These are painted in the attractive red, white and blue of the Shawmut Line with the stars on the blue cab.
| | To order, contact your local dealer or you can head over to HobbyTyme's website to see which dealers they work with. | | |
NEW SCHEME ADDITIONS: HO Scale FL9 Locomotive – New Haven
The Great FL9 Locomotive is back! With this return, we are excited to announce new roadnumbers of the New Haven as-delivered and modernized versions! These will complement the existing steam generator and HEP schemes previously announced.
Before we get into the details, we want you to know this will be the LAST RUN of the FL9s for a LONG time! Now's your chance to grab the ones you want.
The new order deadline will be on April 15th. This will cover all of the previously announced schemes plus the new additions. These are ready for production now.
Click here or the photo above to watch the video. Then, check out the fancy action shots of these historic passenger locomotives.
| NH 2014 pulls its train of Osgood Bradley lightweights on Chris Adams' fantastic layout. | An FL9 and an EP-5 run on Rick Abramson's layout. | NH 2014 runs around its train on Chris Adams' layout. | |
The two versions being offered are the as-delivered and modernized New Haven FL9s. The main spotting features are: with or without cab roof rails, MU compartment doors on the pilot and engineer's side walkway. The EDER-5a versions feature the full length fireman's roof handrail, whereas the modernized has the half length version.
Both wear the classic McGinnis scheme—a true railfan favorite!
| The face of an iconic locomotive, in a classic scheme. | When we originally made the FL9s way back in the 2010s, Bill and Jason made a very entertaining, Star Trek-inspired video showcasing these beautiful models. They were run on Rick Abramson's New Haven layout under catenary! Click here or on the image below to step back in time and be entertained! | |
Do you like Conrail or Penn Central? Well, we've got both!
That white on yellow nose logo is really... noticeable.
| Check out these neat detailed graphics showing what sets the M-K rebuilds apart from others. | |
The major spotting features of the M-K FL9 Rebuilds are a large 48" HEP fan, a flat rear end with two marker lights and a rear headlight, a larger cab side window and two door and brake lights just behind the door.
They also sported a collection of Leslie and Nathan Airchime horns throughout their careers. Each locomotive will carry a road number-specific horn matched to photos. 2014 was unique in that it had a Leslie RS5T, widely regarded as the "king of airhorns."
| Have you read the FL9 Masterclass? Lots of info packed into one small area. It's worth having a look. Click here or the photo above. | |
A pair of HEP-equipped FL9s leads a commuter train into a station.
Below, we see four more FL9s on commuter runs side by side.
All taken on the The Model Railroad Club layout in Union, NJ. Photos courtesy of Ben Martin.
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The Rapido Steam Generator FL9 Locomotives feature:
- Rooftop pantograph for EDER-5 units in polybag
- Groovy Hancock Airchime with deflector on front and without on the rear
- Steam generator details (EDER-5 and EDER-5a)
- Underframe third rail gear with iconic “red bar” bolted to truck sideframes
- Classic McGinnis paint with the white stripe below the grilles
- Short, long or no cab grab irons (as appropriate per roadnumber and model)
The Rapido HEP FL9 Locomotives feature:
- Morrison-Knudsen or Chrome Crankshaft body details
- M-K 48” HEP fan or Chrome Crankshaft dual fans
- Modernized underbody components
- Front and rear MU and HEP receptacles
- Operating ditch lights on HEP box
- HEP box without ditch lights in polybag
- CDOT units feature Leslie RS5T with protective cones
- HEP-equipped Metro-North units feature Nathan K5LA
- Extra horn castings in polybag (Leslie RS-2M/Hancock Airchime)
All Rapido FL9 Locomotives feature:
- Correct dual-beam headlight
- Heavy diecast frame
- Standard DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
Here are the schemes. We'll start off with the new additions, first.
| As mentioned above, this will be the last time the FL9s will be available for a long time. Order every one you need now before April 15th! You can get them from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
UNPOWERED ADDITIONS: HO Scale Chicago 'L' 2600-Series Cars
The HO Scale Chicago 'L' 2600-Series Cars have been a big hit! Since the initial launch, we've also had many requests for unpowered 2-car sets. You asked, we delivered! We're adding 2-car unpowered sets for four of the most popular schemes that wear the CTA logo.
You can pull one 2-car unpowered set with one 2-car powered set. If you try to pull a massive train of unpowered cars with one powered set, good luck to you. Your maximum speed will be about 8 MPH. Downhill.
Click here to watch the launch video.
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The Unpowered CTA 2600 Budd Series 'L' Car features:
- Two-car sets feature unpowered 2600-series cars
- Operating interior lighting in both cars
- Couplers provided to connect to powered 2-car sets
- Plus all of the same detail features as the powered cars!
The CTA 2600 Budd Series 'L' Car features:
- Designed from original factory drawings and field measurements
- Two-car sets feature one powered and one unpowered 2600-series car
- Power car uses coreless truck-installed motors
- Fully detailed interior includes amazing seat and decoration details
- Operating headlights, marker lights and interior lighting on both ends
- Working “destination” marker lights
- Lighted front and rear signboards
- Fully detailed underbodies with an insane amount of separate features
- Wire grab irons
- DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound
- Suggested minimum radius: 12"
- Unlettered version available for you to decal for your favorite Metropolis
CTA Display and Structure Kits:
- The first HO scale elevated transit track!
- Each kit contains: track sections with nickel-silver rail and bridge pieces
- Track and bridge components have keyed sections to join together
- Bridge girders feature amazing rivet details
- Includes third rail and guardrail as well as center walkways
- Curve sections feature CTA’s unique heavy guardrail on inside curves with bolt detail
- Each track section includes four rail joiners. Order our extra rail joiners to avoid spending an hour on the layout room floor looking for the joiner you shot there at 90 MPH.
- Inside curve radius: 15”
Now we have the best part: the schemes offered!
| Order the CTA 2600 Budd Series 'L' Car and Structures now! You can get them from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
N Scale Rebuilt F40 Update
F40PH-2D Alert! The latest release of our N scale VIA Rail F40PH-2D rebuilds have just arrived! Due to customer feedback after the first run, we didn’t install the traction tires on this release.
That being said... Having received the production models, we've now changed our minds and think they should be included. We didn't put them in the polybag at the factory, so we are asking the factory to send us some when they reopen in early March. Once you receive your rebuilt F40s, please contact us and let us know how many you need.
The delivery/unrebuilt F40PH-2D models are still in China so we are going to have our team insert the polybags at the factory.
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We're Hiring - Warranty Repair Technician
We are still looking for a full-time warranty technician to work here at our Markham office fixing model trains and helping customers. Our warranty return rate is between 1% and 2%, but even that represents hundreds of models a year and we're always busy. Required skills include:
- Must be good at taking apart, repairing and putting together model trains. When you’ve finishing putting the model train back together, it should look like a model train and not a model-train-shaped omelette.
- Must have an understanding of model railroad electronics and be skilled with a soldering iron. Knowledge and understanding of DCC is a huge asset. Massive. Even better if it's for ESU decoders and LokProgrammer.
- Must be a good communicator, written and oral, and be able to reply to customer emails daily. English, French, Spanish and Klingon are all useful. qab qechvetlh.
- Must be well organized and able to follow instructions precisely
- Mustard be willing to tackle other tasks as required: warehousy type box moving, preparing and packing show samples, parts sorting, processing 100s of replacement parts to send out to customers when we got things wrong (very rarely of course!) and polishing our “Super Continental” sign from Vancouver Station
- Must be comfortable with MS Office and be able to learn other software on a computing device. Experience with Atari 2600, Commodore 64 or Colecovision will impress us greatly, but won't help your application.
- Must be able to politely interrupt a customer to get off the phone when the customer wants to spend two hours talking about their railfanning adventures in 1958.
- Must have the patience of Job (this has nothing to do with our customers and everything to do with working for Jason).
- Must be able to work Monday through Friday at our Markham, Ontario office. Markham is not a neighborhood in Ontario, California. Markham is in the far north of the planet where everyone drinks maple syrup and wears earmuffs all year 'round.
By law, we must give preference to applications from hoseheads. We also give preference to people who know how to spell, know the difference between "there" and "their", and don't ever say "Me and him went to the store." Knowledge of appropriate apostrophe usage is also a must. Considering that most Rapido employees fail four of those last five points, we’re actually not so picky.
We look forward to hearing from you! qapla’!
If interested please send your resume and cover letter to trains@rapidotrains.com.
P.S.: Did you catch the misspelling? If you did, you may be hired!
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Rapido Meet and Greet: The Model Railroad Club, Inc., Union, NJ
Monday, March 16th from 7PM to 9PM
Come out to the The Model Railroad Club, Inc. in Union, New Jersey on Monday, March 16th! They have graciously opened the doors to the broader model railroad community to check out their layout and have an intimate meet & greet with Rapido's own Jason, Jordan, Jeremy and Bobby! That's me. I'm Bobby. Yes, I do get out occasionally.
Do you have a question about current projects? Want to ask Jason about Dr. Who, CP3-0 or Star WarsTrek? Do you need help with your air fryer? We can answer most of those questions...or we'll make up an answer so you go home happy!
Where:
The Model Railroad Club, Inc. in Union, New Jersey
When:
Monday, March 16th from 7PM to 9PM
Who:
Jason, Jordan, Jeremy, Bobby and your gracious hosts from the club
What to bring:
Questions and conversation starters!
How to get there:
https://www.themodelrailroadclub.org/directions/
See you there!
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A duo of GP9rms crosses over a neat bridge at the Model Railroad Club in Union, NJ.
Photo and models courtesy of Ben Martin.
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New Video! HO Scale PC&F Economy Baggage Car
Check out the new HO Scale Economy Baggage Car video featuring the undecorated samples we just received! Jordan discusses the history and details of these neat and important head end cars.
Click here or the photo above to watch.
| | Tons of details are a cornerstone of these baggage cars. | | |
Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items are here and shipping!
Please note, all of our hobby shop shipments are up to date. If you haven't received your new product orders, please speak with your dealer. All dealers in good standing have received their shipments.
Don't see the model you're looking for, above?
Click here to visit our full delivery schedule to find out where it might be.
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The HO Scale HEP Budd Coach samples make an appearance in newsletter 224! Check out these photos showing off the neat details. Note that these are just painted "stainless steel" and do not have painted underbodies or other details.
Interestingly, they painted the receptacles on the car ends! That's cool, and unusual in first samples.
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The HEP2 cars! Note that the first car shown is actually a coach and not a VIA 1 car.
As mentioned last newsletter, the factory puts antennas on everything.
Production models will be correct.
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Above is a lower angle of the HEP2 car.
Below, we see the HEP1. Note the lack of antennas on this car.
Surprisingly, the factory did not install CP beavers on it.
They also like to install CP beavers on everything!
| This is the ex-SP HEP car. The biggest spotting feature is the 13 smaller side windows. | |
Above is the HEP2 end.
Below is the HEP1 end.
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The Santa Fe SW9s show off the canvas shades and the staggered louvers. | Below, we see the other freight road that created a heated rivalry of the west: Union Pacific. | |
"Serves All the West" and "Route of the Streamliners".
Note the exquisite grille and shutter details!
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All gray, but not boring. The Louisville and Nashville looks great with the yellow lettering.
Below, the Erie Lackawanna SW9 will look right at home with a cut of Comet Is in Hoboken.
| More Canadian versions! Here is the Canadian Pacific SW9 with the angled numberboards and single barrel headlight. | |
Bland but gets the job done. The Illinois Central sports the green diamond logo.
The New York Central SW9 lacks color or graphics, but they made up for it in character.
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Prettiest schemes of the run? The Boston and Maine SW9s look excellent in maroon and gold.
Below, the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo SW9 looks fantastic.
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We can't forget the Industrial Blue scheme!
It's ready for any graphic or numbers you'll be adding to them.
| The Guilford PC&F 5241 Boxcars are almost ready to ship! | | The M-K-42 5" Naval Turret looks phenomenal! They'll look even better on those DODX flats! | Closeups of the smaller details. | | |
The Conrail SCL car with the GREEN roof looks great!
They're ready for OCS service on your layout.
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This wraps up February's newsletters. I need time off, a great pension, and a raise.
Jason: I'll give you ten bucks.
Bobby: Ten bucks is ten bucks.
Jason: Indeed.
Bobby: Beauty.
OK Rapido fans.... See you next time!
Bobby
Bobby Allard
Winter Newsletter Enthusiast
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USA: 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204, USA
Canada: 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, ON L3R 5H5
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