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JASON: Hey Bobby, do you mind if I interrupt this newsletter for a second?

BOBBY: Sure - you're the boss!

JASON: Hi everyone. We recently received the N scale Canadian models. These were sold out before they arrived. We've had to turn away more than 200 orders for more trains. And believe me, we did make a lot of extras in anticipation of the demand. We're now turning away some orders for the N scale FP9A and F40PH-2D because people are only ordering them now that they have their Canadians in hand.

Please consider preordering. We hate for people to miss out on the models they want. We do make extras every time, but the extras go very quickly.

OK, Bobby - Back to you!

BOBBY: Thanks, Jason!

Coal. Possibly the most common and recognizable commodity railroads have hauled throughout history. Now you can get in on the action with the brand new, HO Scale Autoflood III Rapid Discharge Hopper! (That's quite a lot to say, so going forward, we're going to refer to this car as the "Rapid Discharge Hopper." Kapeesh?)

In 2004, production began of a 4200 cubic foot, all-aluminum body car with five rapid discharge gates for quicker unloading. The Rapid Discharge Hopper can also unload with the assistance of a rotary dumper if equipped with rotary couplers. These cars have an immense amount of detail, especially between the end gates and the underbody. Of course, we went all-out on these details!

This isn't just any Rapid Discharge Hopper - this is the ULTIMATE detailed rapid discharge style hopper on the market. Pipes, crossbars, rivets (MANY) and a coal load for each car. Matt really took his first project to the next level!

OK, you might be thinking these cars appear to have TONS of details and you would be correct. So, lets go through the features:

One more 3D render you say? Why not? Here's a broadside view.

You can never have too many Rapid Discharge Hoppers! Below is a comprehensive photo of every scheme being offered in the first run. For the keen-eyed ones, check out the BNSF double-ended rotary scheme and the special Indiana Railroad 2,000,000th Carload scheme.

Time for the Coal-talog. OK, that's horrendous. Ignore that, just go check out the Rapid Discharge Hopper catalog by clicking on the photo below.

Once we have a sample to show and a better idea of production scheduling for the Rapid Discharge Hopper, we will announce an order deadline. Keep checking back in future newsletters for an update - but for the impatient types, I'd imagine it'll be fairly soon.

Surprise! Bet you didn't see the Chevrolet Caprice family of vehicles coming from us! For years, there has been a void in good quality late 1970s and 1980s vehicles, specifically North American style cars. To help us out with this launch is our very own Jordan - who spearheaded this project. But first, let's take a look at the actual models.

Amazed by all of that detail packed into an HO scale-sized Chevrolet Caprice? So are we! OK, Jordan, take us through this announcement.

JORDAN: Thanks, Bobby!

Launching in the fall of 1976, in response to the early 70s oil crisis and more stringent EPA regulations for emissions and fuel economy standards, Chevrolet’s downsized “B” body line of large cars was one of GM’s most popular line of vehicles right into the 1990s! Available as a 4-door sedan and station wagon, plus a 2-door coupe, the Chevy Caprice and Impala kept the same general “box Chevy” look from the 1977 through 1990 model years with mostly small detail changes until the revised “bubble” Caprice was made available for the 1991 model year.

BOBBY: Thanks, Jordan! And Jason is very happy as he needs these for his layout.

Check out the service versions of the HO Scale Chevrolet Caprice below!

Speaking of police Caprices... We have big plans for our vehicle line, including emergency vehicles. If there's an agency you'd like us to make models for, please let us know and if you want to get bumped to the front of the line, direct us to a contact for acquiring licensing.

The Rapido Chevrolet Caprice and Impala models feature:

Scroll down to see all of the colors and service schemes being offered.

Want to place an order for the Caprices? Use that nifty catalog we create by clicking on the photo below. Every paint scheme and correlating item number is in it.

The Caprice and Impala is just the beginning! So, make sure to show your support and place your orders by June 15th! We're actually starting production in June and we will make plenty of extras, but we can't guarantee to have the color and style of your choice if you don't pre-order.

In 1955, CN ordered six pairs of the FPA-2 and FPB-2 Locomotives from MLW. They were delivered with a 1600hp, Alco 244 V-12 prime mover. By 1958, CN wanted to improve the reliability of the FPA/B-2 locomotives so it rebuilt two pairs with a 251 V-12 motor - thus giving them their unique "FPA-2u and FPB-2u" designation. (Ed: You mean MPA-18c and MPB-18c?) Go away.

CN also enlarged the fuel tanks and made other changes. All four would survive into the VIA Rail Canada era.

These were truly unique locomotives, important to CN and VIA's history. In fact, the two rebuilt FPA/B-2us would become prototypes for the future MLW FPA-4 and FPB-4 locomotives.

It's all about that... ONR loco in the back. FPA-2u in the foreground.

So what's the catch? Well, because there were only four in existence, this run is FULLY CONDITIONAL. As in it survives on your orders, much like the Amtrak Turboliner.

This means if we receive enough orders by the order deadline of September 15th, 2021, we will proceed with the run.

Here are the FPA and FPB-2u Locomotive Features:

OK, now time for the FPA and FPB-2 Locomotive schemes! All three of them!

Check out the FPA/B-2u catalogue for all of the lowdown on item numbers. You can do that by clicking the photo below of that fancy looking FPA/B-2U on the front.

So, just to summarize, this run is based solely on conditional orders. This means DO NOT HESITATE to slam down that order for one or all of the FPA and FPB-2u Locomotives. The order deadline is set for September 15th, 2021, plenty of time to shovel those orders in!

Can you believe it? It's already May and that means the HO Scale Barrel Ore Cars and the N Scale New Look Bus orders are just about due. Let's take a quick look at each.

The Barrel Ore Hoppers are a cult classic! But just in case you needed some more reason to get excited about these cars, we made a short video highlighting their features. Click here, above or below to watch!

It's photo time! Dan took some time a few weeks ago to hand-paint three sample Barrel Ore Hoppers and they look outstanding! But don't listen to me, just look at them!

Want to learn more about them? Click here to read the Barrel Ore Car Master Class. Their history is fascinating, and they are one of Canada's most iconic cars to ply the rails.

Before we jump to the catalogue, how about another photo?

The Barrel Ore Hopper is truly the little car that could. So, if you're ready to check out the item numbers and paint schemes, some check out the fancy catalogue. You won't be disappointed! Click the photo below to see it.

Just a few more days until May 17th, which is the order deadline for the Barrel Ore Cars. Once these unique cars hit the shelves, they won't hang around long, so get your orders in ASAP!

Possibly the most iconic item we offer - but maybe we're just impartial because we own a real New Look Bus! In all seriousness, this is one nice model. Lots of detail, excellent paint schemes and we even did a BRAND NEW video for your audio-visual entertainment! Click here or on the image below to watch it.

Wasn't that fantastic! And its similarity to a movie featuring a real New Look bus is entirely coincidental.

If you want to see the features of the bus in more detail, click here or on the image below to watch our more "normal" video. I believe that some of our competitors think we make SNL sketches (Note: I'm more of a Kids In The Hall fan...) for our videos. Yes. Yes, we do. Enjoy!

Dan Darnell painted up one of our New Look Buses in Santa Monica 2525 colors. There is no significant reason for us choosing that particular bus number.

This bus is really tiny and now Dan hates N scale buses. But have a look:

Whether you're going to display one, place it into service on your layout or try to motorize one...well OK, maybe that's a stretch, but the N Scale New Look Bus is certainly a show piece. Three styles of front bumpers, super-detailed rubber tires, inside driver's controls with grooved flooring and much more. These buses might be the most detailed vehicles to appear in N Scale!

I'm sure you've heard it before, how we own our very own New Look Bus, but have you read the restoration story on it? Click here for more info.

Ready to order one? Check out the New Look Bus catalog for more info on paint schemes and item numbers by clicking the photo below.

On May 17th, the N Scale New Look Bus order desk will close. We do plan to make some extras, but the usual caveat applies: if you don't preorder, you may not get the one that want.

It's that time, again. The next order deadline is June 15th. This will include the HO Scale F59PH Locomotive and the HO Scale North American Bilevel Commuter Car. In fact, we have new samples - so let's get started.

You've seen this before. Many times. But the HO Scale F59PH Locomotive is finally getting ready to call for final preorders. Believe us, we're just as excited as you are to announce this!

It's been a little while since we discussed the HO Scale F59PH Locomotive, so here comes a quick refresher on the finer details of this versatile commuter locomotive.

The Rapido F59PH features:

And... Yes, we are tooling the current E-Bell and horn combination that are used on GO's units today. (Remember, Jason likes E-Bells for some reason.)

Now for all of you Metrolink fans out there, here's a pretty photo taken by our very own Craig Walker. The original periwinkle scheme was hands-down the best. Remember, this scheme, as well as the new Metrolink ribbon scheme, are both still at risk. The orders are just not coming in for those two schemes. If we don't get enough orders, we will have to cancel them.

Don't forget! We recorded a video waaaay back when on the sounds and details. Check it out by clicking here or the photo below.

Now, on to that catalog/catalogue! You can check over all of the schemes you may want or just peruse through the item numbers. Click the photo below to have a look.

This is the exciting part, where we can say the HO Scale F59PH Locomotive has just over a month to go before all orders need to be in. We mean it this time, too!

With the F59PH closing out in June, what better way to complement it than with the HO Scale North American Bilevel Commuter Cars due on the same day! Mark your calendars, June 15th will be an important day for commuter modelers.

But with an announced order deadline, that means we have preproduction samples to show you! Check them out!

Aren't these just stunning? The most popular commuter car in use today gets done right!

The Bilevel Commuter Cars feature:

More photos? Sure!

How can we forget that infamous video? Here's Jordan and Janet coming up with the great idea for Bilevel Commuter cars. Click here or the photo below to watch it again.

Catalog/catalogue time! To see all of the commuter agencies being done, click the photo below to whisk yourself away with the catalog/catalogue.

Commuter fanatics, mark your calendars for June 15th. That's June 15th, the HO Scale Bilevel Commuter Cars (And F59PH) orders will be due. Your layout townsfolk are counting on you to get them reliable transportation.

Recently we announced that several upcoming Rapido freight car models would include Kadee #158 couplers installed at the factory.

Unfortunately, discussions with Kadee have revealed that, due to production restrictions in part due to Covid-19, they will not be able to supply us with the quantities that we need for these models until close to the end of the year.

As a result, we have created our own semi-scale coupler that will be included on these models. However, our coupler boxes are still completely compatible with the #158 whisker couplers from Kadee for those that want to use them.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause, and we look forward to working with Kadee in the future.

The first batch of HO Scale SW1200 Locomotives have arrived. They are being sorted and QC inspected now, and we hope to start shipping next week. The second half is ready to leave the factory but is waiting for a container. Unfortunately, there is a container shortage in China right now.

What's on the second shipment of SW1200s? Good question, here's the remaining list:

Before you know it, you'll be seeing these show up on a layout near you!

For many, the Toronto Railway Museum is a place full of memories, equipment and amazing exhibits. Sitting on top of the old John Street yard area in the southern part of Toronto, it houses some of Toronto's most iconic pieces of railway equipment. But they need your help to retain a few more iconic pieces of Canadian history: The John Newland / BGR collection.

For many years, John Newland ran BGR models, which contained many CP Heavyweight pilot models. The TRM is interested in acquiring some of these models for display, which will tell a story rich in information on how they operated. They will be part of a future model railroad display project, providing visitors an understanding and appreciation of a long bygone era in railroading.

How can you help? Check out Toronto Railway Museum's website by clicking here and help support TRM in this great project to save Toronto's railroading history!

This photo was taken last week during final assembly of the GTW SW1200s.

We've got some good ones. Jordan has not seen these yet. OK, well he hadn't seen them until he proofread this newsletter. But he is very excited at the progress with the Rohr Turboliner. Click here to pre-order yours!

A sea of Amtrak Late Phase F40s!

Turbo-time! Check out the coach mold slides!

Things are starting to take shape on the Rohr Turboliner!

Well, it's time to wind down this newsletter. Normally we'd have a big paragraph of something we're passionate about, but we thought we'd change things up. The passion had to start somewhere, didn't it? So, some of the Rapido staff have dusted off the old photo albums and brought out the memories of their childhood. Let's take a quick look back at some of Rapido's own childhood photos involving trains.

We start with Josh on the pilot of CP 1201 with his grandfather in 1990. This excursion was the first train Josh ever rode. What a way to start!

Up next is Jordan in the cab of a VIA F40PH-2D while on layover at Toronto Union Station. (Yes, we're surprised it's not Amtrak, too.)

It's Bill's turn. Here he is with his cousin on board the London & South Western M7, a 04-4T, at Steamtown (the Vermont rendition!).

Next is Dan D, standing on a CN RS-18 in Tempo colours at Spadina Yard in Toronto. Note the smokestack and roundhouse in the background.

And closing out this edition of Growing Up With Trains is Mark. As he said, this was taken "before they invented colour." He's standing next to Royal Hudson 2850, in St. Constant, QC. This is now the site of Exporail.

Stay tuned for part two!

Well, that concludes May's newsletter. Three more new announcements, but - hint hint - we aren't done yet! Might even be a surprise or two in addition to more new announcements coming your way shortly.

Until next time,

Bobby