This new large-format book chronicles VIA Rail Canada’s history, operations and equipment over more than four decades since the company’s creation in the mid-1970s.

While there have been books published on VIA before, there has never been a gorgeous coffee table book like this one dedicated to the history of Canada's national passenger railway. Kevin Holland has done an outstanding job on this beautiful publication.

Click on the image below to download the sales sheet. The book is arriving in early May, and we expect the first run to sell out pretty quickly.

Click here to order direct or you can reserve it from your favourite hobby shop or specialist bookseller. Get your copy today!

Heartland Hobby Wholesale is offering seven NEW schemes for the HO Scale E8 Locomotive! In order to reserve one of these neat schemes, you'll have to contact your dealer. All dealers can order these models exclusively from Heartland Hobby. Click here to find out more. Are you a retailer but not a Heartland customer? Click here to visit their web site.

Like our other E8A and E8B models, these exclusive models feature prototype-specific details. We've even had to make an all-new mold for the new detail parts required, such as new side panels for Erie and Milwaukee incorporating their unique sand filler hatches, and a bunch of new horns. And for those of you with keen eyes, you'll see that our Milwaukee units are actually E9s!

Among the schemes being offered is the experimental New York Central all-green 4053 and 4083. In fact 4083 still exists in the hands of the United Railway Historical Society in New Jersey. Click here to learn more about NYC 4083.

Now, let's check out the schemes that Heartland Hobby is offering!

Check out the sales catalog for Heartland Hobby's E8 Locomotives by clicking the image below.

Contact your local dealer or hobby shop so they can get you some of these great E8 Locomotives that Heartland Hobby is offering. Remember, there will be a set amount produced, so don't wait!

Another Heartland Hobby exclusive! This time it is for the HO and N Scale AutoFlood III coal hoppers. We were planning on producing these models in the second run, but our friends at Heartland convinced us to do them now. So here's your chance to order these fabulous hoppers!

The HO Scale sales catalog is on the left and the N Scale catalog is on the right. Make sure you click the correct one to find out more about the item numbers.

The HO and N Scale AutoFlood Hoppers will also have a set amount ordered by Heartland Hobby. You'll need to order them ASAP in order to ensure you get the cars you want! Contact your dealer or local hobby shop, today!

In addition to the new models just announced above, we also have plenty more from various dealers that are available for order. Click here to check them out on our website - but we'll also list some popular items below! Scroll down to check them out.

Otter Valley Railroad is running an exclusive for the Trillium Railway RS-18u. They are offering two road numbers: 1842 and 1859. Head on over there to place your order for these RS-18u locomotives by clicking here.

Another offering is the M420s that went to Ontario Southland! Numbers 641, 644, 646 and 647 went to the OSR and lucky for those fans, Otter Valley Railroad is running an exclusive for 644, 646 and 647!

And just below them is the UAC Turbo 2.0 that Otter Valley Railroad is producing. This is the first VIA set that achieved the speed record in 1976 and it features the normal VIA colours along with the CN noodle logo on the nose. They have commissioned both the five-car set and the four-car addition.

Otter Valley Railroad is also offering exclusive HO Scale Long Barrel Ore Hoppers in both CN and Ontario Northland. These are 6-packs with exclusive road numbers to add to your fleet. You can check out the Canadian National hoppers by clicking here and the Ontario Northlands by clicking here.

Spring Creek Model Trains has two current exclusives: An HO Scale Procor 5820 Plastics Hopper and a 6-pack of HO Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Coal Hoppers.

This HO Scale Procor 5820 Plastics Hopper is unique in that Procor had only one painted in this attractive blue scheme. UNPX 122012 will certainly stand out in a sea of normally gray cars. Order yours today from Spring Creek Model Trains!

Do you model Powder River operations or is your locale set in Nebraska? You're just in luck with this HO Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Coal Hopper, decorated for Omaha Public Power District, otherwise known as OMAX. Spring Creek Model Trains is offering three sets of HO Scale 6-packs to build your unit trains.

But wait! They also offer two sets of 6-packs in N scale, as well! Click here to find out more. Check them out to order your sets!

This is the news I've been waiting to deliver to you! The BC Rail and Providence and Worcester M420 Locomotives WILL HAPPEN! Yes! Every scheme, including Delaware-Lackawanna has been approved!

And, just because the preliminary order deadline for these schemes and variations happened in March, you still can put your orders in for them. So, keep up the ordering!

The CN M420 Rebuilds originally were set to close out in May, but we are shuffling some things around and the new preorder deadline is set for June 15th, 2022. Mark your calendars!

There is some logic here... Our Canadian dealer open house is on June 13th. So we're hoping to snag some more orders from our retail customers in the Great White North.

This also gives us a bit more time to get a CN sample with working ditch lights to show off - we can't wait for it!

Click here for more info or to order your M420s direct. We encourage you to support your local hobby shop, so you can also print out the sales pack and bring it to your hobby shop to order your M420 fleet today!

April has two important order deadlines: the HO Scale Canadian 66' Bulkhead Flat Car and the N Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Hopper. Off we go to look at each!

This car is a super beauty! What car are we talking about? This is the HO Scale Canadian 66' Bulkhead Flatcar, which I'm sure you've heard us say countless times, is the FIRST ACCURATE model of a Canadian 66' bulkhead produced. No more American prototypes painted for Canadian roads - except for that American prototype painted on the Canadian prototype. (Yes! It's correct, too.)

Wanna see some samples? Of course! Scroll down to check them out. We'll have a new video when our next samples arrive from the factory.

Etched ends AND a wood deck! Samples are subject to revision.

Curious what the 66' Bulkhead Flatcars hauled? Besides the obvious wood-type products such as logs or finished wood, they also carry: sheet steel, pipe, structural steel and heavy equipment to name a few. Some cars were outfitted with stake sides for coils of wire and canvas tops for cargo cover.

Our car's features include:

We're all about the graphics and lucky for you we have images of each paint scheme below.

Check out the Bulkhead Flat Car catalogue by clicking the photo below.

Bam! Just like that April is here and the order deadline is just days away. So don't delay, get those orders in for the HO Scale Canadian Bulkhead Flat Car!

Everyone needs coal hoppers! (I think I've said that before, but I mean it this time.) And what better way to deliver heaps of coal on your layout to those power plants than with the N Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Hopper! Now, even if you didn't ask for it, we have a video for you to watch! Click here or the photo above or below to enjoy all things N scale and hopper.

Ready to see those samples of the N Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Hopper? We're sure you're as excited as we are for this car in N scale! Check them out below.

What are the features of the N Scale Rapid Discharge Hopper? Let's take a look:

Need to see all of the schemes being offered? Why of course, we have that covered! Scroll down to look.

Ah, yes, the catalog. Here you will find EVERYTHING you need to know when you place your order(s) for the N Scale Rapid Discharge Hopper. Click the photo below to immerse yourself in product info.

OK N scalers, here's your big chance to prove N scale is the best scale. Get those orders in now for the N Scale Rapid Discharge Hoppers! And remember to order your Heartland and Spring Creek exclusives too!

May is nearby, can you believe it? That means there are new order deadlines to announce, which are: the HO Scale U25B Locomotive, the HO Scale New Haven County Cars, the HO Scale Budd Slumbercoaches and the HO Scale Horizon Passenger Cars. We're jumping right into it!

Remember last newsletter we said the HO Scale U25B Locomotive's order deadline was in April? Surprise! We're pushing it to May 16th, 2022, to allow for more time to order as well as make the necessary changes before we send it to production. But wait, there's more! We have a new video for you. Click here, the photo above or below to watch!

Then, hurry back, sit back and enjoy MORE photos of the gorgeous samples we had painted!

Yes! Those samples look great, right? Jason Quinn did a phenomenal job on these. You can check out more of his work at Quinn's Weathering Depot. Let's see some more of them! Scroll down!

Don't these samples look great? We sure think so and are very excited to show them off. In fact, photos don't do them justice. Keep scrolling for more U25B Loco photos!

All of the schemes for the first run of the U25B Locomotive can be viewed below; just scroll on down to check them out.

Make sure to check out the U25B catalog. It has all of the item numbers, schemes and info on variations. Click the photo below to open the PDF.

So, you've been given an extra month to order! The HO Scale U25B Locomotive ordering period will close out on May 16th, 2022. Note the change... and please mark your calendars!

It's been a while since we last discussed the HO Scale New Haven County Cars. But we wanted to mention that on May 16th, 2022 the order deadline is coming to a close and these cars can finally head off to production!

In the meantime, here's a refresher in case you forgot about these neat passenger cars. As with other cars in this series, these cars are being developed in association with The New Haven Railroad Historical and Technical Association (NHRHTA).

The New Haven took delivery of a group of twenty stainless steel baggage-parlor-lounge cars in 1948. A part of the post-war passenger train modernization, these cars were named after counties served by the New Haven. That part was simple. Now the history of these cars gets more complicated!

The initial 1948 County Car order was delivered in four different interior configurations, but all with baggage compartments, a drawing room, two roomette sleeping accommodations and a mix of parlor seat arrangements.

In 1952 the New Haven determined that they needed more drawing rooms so two of the cars were rebuilt with drawing rooms in place of the baggage section. This conversion was successful enough that four more cars (for a total of six) were also converted. However, these six additional cars included no fewer than three NEW interior configurations! Cars #210-219 somehow escaped the rebuilds and retained their baggage sections throughout their service lives.

As with many of the New Haven stainless steel cars, the McGinnis cars with skirts are an exclusive production for NHRHTA. Please click here to visit their web site to order those cars.

Check out the County Car sales catalog by clicking the photo below. It will open up in PDF format.

Here's your chance to get the HO Scale New Haven County Cars ordered. May 16th is the order deadline, so make sure you get all of your orders in by then.

It's been a few months since the last major HO Scale Budd Slumbercoach update, but here we go. This is the advanced warning that on May 16th, 2022, this important passenger car hits the order deadline and we want to make sure you are on board for it!

These care were built by the Budd Company, from 1956 to 1959 for five different roads. Not the largest number of cars, but they got just about EVERYWHERE on the national passenger network.

Now for the samples!

In case you didn't know what a Budd Slumbercoach is, here's a quick overview, explained in detail - sort of! A Slumbercoach has a capacity of 40 guests for the targeted "overnight" traveler. The floor plan features 24 single occupancy rooms, along with 8 double rooms with a single aisle right down the center of the car. This method was a mid-priced alternative for overnight trips, instead of uncomfortable coach seating or pricey first-class options. Probably the most unique and distinctive feature on these cars is the staggered side windows.

The modern-day Loch Ness, now owned by Webb Rail, hanging out in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of Marc Glucksman.

Many of the Budd Slumbercoaches still survive today in museums and private collections. The Loch Ness is probably the most famous, as it is currently owned by private railcar owner Webb Rail and can be seen traveling the country on private charters. Check out their website: you might just be able to ride in a real Slumbercoach!

Our HO Scale Slumbercoach features include:

Hey, did I mention you can own a model of the Loch Ness, too? (Ed: Yes, you did, above...) Now you modern Amtrak modelers can throw it onto the back of your long distance consists to create an authentic "PV" look!

But what about all those schemes on the HO Scale Budd Slumbercoach? Glad you asked! There are nine schemes, including unlettered. Here they are:

Time for the Budd Slumbercoach catalog! Click on the photo below to download it.

Have an overnight train? You won't want to miss out on the HO Scale Budd Slumbercoaches! Remember the order deadline - May 16th! We'll have a video up before then.

The HO Scale Horizon passenger cars have made their return and on May 16th, 2022, they will depart for production. Let's run through a quick overview of these cars before then.

In addition to all-new car numbers, we are also offering an all-new car: the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) cars! These feature a second smaller window on the left side of the car where the normal sized window would be. These particular HO Scale Horizon Passenger Cars also have a 72-seat capacity, whereas normal coaches have 82 seats.

Want to know more about the HO Scale Horizon Car features? Check them out here:

All the schemes? Why, of course! Scroll on down!

Do you like shiny graphics? Do you like reading numbers that are helpful for ordering? Well you're in luck! Click the image below to see everything you need to know about the Horizon passenger cars

Mark down on your schedule: May 16th, 2022. That's the day the HO Scale Horizon Passenger Cars depart for their turn at the factory. Make sure you get on board so you don't miss out!

Lot's of new items have just arrived and many more are on they way into the warehouse. Let's have a look at our upcoming live stream, some tooling updates, and arrival updates.

Tonight, April 7th at 7PM EST, we will once again host another Rapido Live on our Facebook page! Join Jordan, Jason and the team as they discuss the new products, April order deadlines, what Rapido is currently up to and answer any questions you want on the current state of products we offer. That's 7pm EDT, April 7th, 2022 - see you there!

If you're reading after the live event, you can still watch it on our Facebook page.

LOTS of new items are arriving, both at your dealer or to our warehouse soon! What could they be? Let's find out:

As we mentioned last newsletter, all of our shipments that left China recently have been delayed due to closures and port/shipping congestion. We are doing our best to track and corral these shipments, but please be aware some items might arrive a bit later than expected.

Right now, the N scale New Looks and HO scale Caprices are arriving in Toronto and the HO scale F59PH locomotives are on a train crossing Canada. So it won't be long for these!

They're at your hobby shop now! The HO Scale Barrel Ore Cars, that is.

The long awaited HO Scale EP-5 is also in stores now!

Ready to ship! The Amtrak Later Phase F40PHs are leaving the building.

Get ready to ride the N Scale New Look Bus.

California Dreamin'. The F59PHs look great!

Get excited for HO Scale Caprices! They're almost here!

The HO Scale Metrolink Bilevels will be first to hit the market, sometime in June.

Hooray! Another N Scale update! The GP20 Tanks will ship in June... we hope!

Have a look at some of the latest photos from our factories!

Here's the N Scale B-100 Boxcar on the assembly line. Look for them soon!

HO Scale 52' Mill Gondolas, anyone? They're almost ready.

A handful of HO Scale 52' Mill Gondolas await to have their floors attached.

The underfloor for the HO Scale 52' Mill Gondola.

HO Scale E8 chassis, all ready for the bodies. These are the Amtrak anniversary units.

Just look at all of that amazing underbody detail on the HO Scale AutoFlood III Hoppers!

Lots of HO Scale AutoFlood II end cages!

BF Goodrich 5820 Hopper Cars have their lettering applied.

That's a lot of Union Carbide side signs! They'll look great on the HO Scale 5820 Hoppers.

Piles of HO Scale Bilevel underframes and seats!

Check out those interior colors of the HO Scale Bilevels!

HO Scale Bilevel underframes all lined up.

Printing the lettering on the AMT HO Scale Bilevel bodies.

In March 2020, we at Rapido Trains attended the Rocky Mountain Train Show in Denver, Colorado. The week after, everything … and we mean EVERYTHING! … shut down thanks to COVID-19.

Now, two years later, we (Dan Darnell representing Markham, Ontario; Matt Gentry making the trek from southern Indiana and Craig Walker escaping southern California) once again attended the Rocky Mountain Train show, and everything has changed! Well, one thing changed – the show’s location, as its former location had been razed. This year’s Rocky Mountain Train Show was very well attended, and the new facility had more room than the previous one.

Attending our first train show in two years was a great chance to catch up with our friends in the model railroad industry. And then, the most amazing thing happened – the show opened to the public! And we were immediately thrown into the frenzy of catching up with more old friends, as well as making new friends, as we showed off a whole lot of upcoming models: PA-1s, E8s, the Rohr Turboliner, U25Bs with high and low noses, F59PHs and the bilevel commuter cars, the Santa Fe RR-56 mechanical reefer, Procor 5820 cuft covered hoppers, Budd Slumbercoaches, 40’ box cars for SP, GN and UP, MLW M420s, new RS-11s, Canadian 66’ bulkheads and others.

It was great to finally get to show off these new models, and answer questions from our customers. Sure, we made up some of the answers, but that’s not important… is it?

We also met up with our old nemesis: the concrete floor. Our legs feel much better by now, though. Thanks for the pain, concrete floor!

While visiting the Mile-High City we stopped by the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden and also headed north to Greeley one evening to see (again for some of us, and for the first time for, well, Craig) the Colorado Model Railroad Museum (thanks for the invite, Michelle!). The CMRM is the home of an extremely impressive model railroad layout. Each of these museums is well worth your time when you visit Colorado.

We were also fortunate enough to get an invitation to John Parker’s unbelievable “BNSF Fall River Division” layout, and he even had a few of our locomotives front and center for others to view. Thanks for the invite, John!

Now that shows are opening up again, we at Rapido Trains look forward to seeing you in person, and we hope to see you soon!

This was a light month for announcements, but that means we must be working on something BIG. Stay tuned to future newsletters to find out!

Until then,

Bobby