1950 saw lots of change. The first credit cards rolled out, the first non-stop trans-Canadian flight was made and CN and CP started running piggyback services. The movement of truck trailers on flatcars is often commonly referred to as "piggyback" and started out with 40' and 50' flatcars being utilized. By the 1960s and 70s, the earliest modes of intermodal were in full-swing. The demand to carry the unique-to-Canada 26' trailers as well as the common 45' trailers was evident. CN placed an order with Vancouver Iron and Engineering for 283 flatcars, while CP would order a group of 305 cars from Marine Industries.

Rapido is proud to offer both these cars in HO Scale as our "Canadian Piggyback Flatcars!" ...as well as Canadian Trailers! After you read through this section (no early leavers, please read the whole flatcar section first!) check out the trailer section immediately following the flatcars.

Now, for the main event! Jeremy went all-out to create these renders for the trailers and the flatcars. So sit back and enjoy!

CN's cars were first constructed in 1966 and lasted well into the late 1980s, after a major overhaul in 1976 to single hitch configurations. We will offer BOTH of these versions, with the single hitch rebuilds coming at a later date. Check out some of the CN Piggyback Flatcar renders below!

The CP Piggyback Flatcars were built in 1972 and went through several rebuild programs to keep them going. In fact, these are the same cars that would be used in the famous "Xpressway Services" in the late 1990s and 2000s, between Detroit, Toronto and Montreal. Like the CN cars, we will offer the as-built variation on the initial run. Renders to follow below!

Here are the HO Scale Canadian Piggyback Flatcar features:

Check out all two schemes being offered. In case you might have forgotten, there is only CN and CP.

Check out the catalogue for the HO scale flatcars by clicking the photo below.

These HO Scale Canadian Piggyback Flatcars will look superb on any layout, Canadian, American or Antarctican. Click here to visit the website. Make sure you order yours today!

Got trailers? Rapido sure does! What better way to complement your HO Scale Canadian Piggyback Flatcars than with these all-new Canadian trailers.

The two trailers are the 26’ Can-Car Industries Dry-Vans with and without side doors and the 45’ Trailmobile design trailers, also with and without side doors. The 26’ trailers were widely used by Canadian National and Canadian Pacific for package delivery services, as well as trucking services and retail store owners. These unique trailers have the iconic ribbed sides with catchy graphics. Eventually they were phased out of service in the 1980s.

The 45’ Trailmobile trailers arrived in Canada in the mid-1970s, almost a full decade before they launched in the US. These venerable trailers also had the option for side doors for easier access. Much like the 26’ trailers, CN and CP both had good quantities as well as small and large trucking services. Many wore a variety of colourful schemes, so crank up that memory machine and grab a few of these neat trailers today!

Shown below is the art for the two types of HO Scale Canadian Trailers. Plus unlettered, silver trailers! Scroll down to see all of the colourful schemes being offered.

It is no coincidence that Jason needs these flatcars and ALL of these trailers on his layout. So does Dan Darnell, whose idea it was to make them. You can thank Dan for his persistence.

Here's a fancy catalogue for a fancy model. Click the photo below to check out the corresponding item and trailer numbers.

Do you need HO Scale Canadian Trailers? Of course you do! These trailers sure have an array of colourful schemes. So, crank out that fax machine or contact your local messageries service and enter those orders for the HO Scale trailer.

The trailers and flatcars are in tooling now and we should have samples in the summer.

Espee time! First there was the PC&F B100 boxcar, now we bring you the fabulous B-70-69/71/75 class boxcar in HO scale!

As the demand grew in the 70s for larger capacity boxcars, along with the need to replace aging 40’ cars, this series of 50’ double door boxes was produced by PC&F for the Southern Pacific and its subsidiary St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt). Constructed between 1972 and 1975, these boxcars are 50'-7" in length with a capacity of either 5258 cu ft for standard cars, or 5119 cu ft for those equipped for DF (Damage Free) Loading. All B-70 boxcars feature Hydra-Cushion underframes and were delivered with either Youngstown or Superior doors.

Proving to be a versatile addition to the SP/SSW fleet, these boxcars were later rebuilt for Golden West Service and could be seen carrying goods across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Many can still be seen on the rails today, whether in their original SSW or SP paint, as former Golden West cars stenciled back into SP, or under entirely new ownership.

All of the players from the B-100 have returned for an HO Scale PC&F B-70-69/71/75 Boxcar sequel. So, from one outstanding car comes a second - loaded with details and variations!

Rapido's new PC&F B-70-69/71/75 boxcar features:

Now for those paint schemes and variations. Scroll down to check them out.

Let's go check out the B-70-69/71 and 75 sales catalog. Click the photo below to view it in PDF form.

Are you ready for the HO Scale PC&F B-70-69/71 and 75 Boxcar? We hope you are! Place your orders for this versatile car today. It is in tooling now and we expect samples in the summer.

The UAC TurboTrain was born in the late and turbulent 1960s. It soon achieved worldwide fame for being the fastest production train in both the United States and Canada: a record it still holds to this day. In 1971, a three unit set, consisting of a power car, coach and power car, toured the United States in order to help introduce Amtrak and promote high speed rail service. The train made numerous stops throughout the US to show off its capabilities.

Heartland Hobby Wholesale is offering this unique and special trainset in an exclusive deal with Rapido!

That's a lot of PEOPLE. 😳

The HO Scale TurboTrain has all of the same features as the other TurboTrains currently being offered. However this is the only 3-car Early Amtrak set available. It will also come with a reproduction of the promotional postcard and a pin. It will be a very limited edition.

Check out the flashy sales catalog created for the USDOT Touring TurboTrain. Click the photo below to view it in PDF format.

Contact your local dealer or hobby shop so they can get you this awesome and rare HO Scale UAC TurboTrain exclusive that Heartland Hobby is offering. Dealers, you need to contact Heartland Hobby. If you don't have an account, you can open one! Remember, there will be a limited number produced, so don't wait!

Many have asked and we have delivered! After 1966, freight cars were no longer required to have running boards. Cars that were shopped after that typically had them removed to match the new regulations. The brake wheels often stayed in the original high position, but the other ladders were cut down to half height. We will now be offering the Big Sky Blue versions of the HO Scale GN 12-panel 40' Boxcar with cut-down ladders and no running boards to match the prototype cars of this era.

Check out the catalog for updates to the road and item numbers. Click the photo below to check them out in a separate PDF.

There you have it, a GN update! So, order those HO Scale GN Boxcars and we'll get you samples to look at in the meantime.

May is here! That means these items are closing out on the 16th: the HO Scale U25B Locomotive, the HO Scale New Haven County Cars, the HO Scale Budd Slumbercoaches and the HO Scale Horizon Passenger Cars. Let's go.

We've reached that point where we can say the HO Scale U25B Locomotive's order deadline is here. May 16th, 2022, is just a few days away but let's take a stroll through everything, once more. In case you missed the U25B video, click here, the photo above or below to watch!

Hurry back! We've got photos galore!

Jason Quinn did a phenomenal job painting these. You can check out more of his work at Quinn's Weathering Depot. Let's see some more of them! Scroll down!

All of the schemes for the first run of the U25B Locomotive can be viewed below; just scroll down to check them out. We suggest buying all, not just UP. Everyone is buying UP. (Ed: We should just make UP stuff.)

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.

The HO Scale U25B Locomotive ordering period will close out on May 16th, 2022. That's just a few days away. Calling all last minute orders!

The HO Scale New Haven County Car journey has been a long one so far, but the end is in sight! On May 16th, we officially close out the order deadline and send these much anticipated cars to production. For this edition, we have a brand-new video featuring Bill at Chris Adams's fabulous Valley Line layout. Click here or the photo above or below to watch!

(Yes, we've already received letters about Bill's bullying of Chris...)

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.

Well, it's almost order deadline time for the HO Scale Budd Slumbercoach. Just a few more days till the clock strikes: May 16th, 2022, which means we have a new video for all to watch. Click here, the photo above or below to watch it now.

It's been said numerous times, but these unique sleeper cars built by the Budd Company, got just about EVERYWHERE on the national passenger network. Their offset, high-low window arrangement made them easily identifiable. Let's check out those samples once more.

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.

The overnight train is boarding and getting ready to depart. Hurry! You won't want to miss out on the HO Scale Budd Slumbercoaches! Remember the order deadline - May 16th!

The HO Scale Horizon passenger cars are ready for departure to the factory. This means on May 16th, 2022, all orders MUST be in to reserve one or many of these highly sought-after cars. Jordan recorded a video of an Amtrak car on an Amtrak train. It's almost like we're living in a parallel universe. Click here, the photo above or below to watch it. Bonus points for the people that watch it aboard an Amtrak train.

If you're still fascinated by Amtrak on Amtrak action, we have no words. In the meantime, let's not forget our newest addition: 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.

Here's the schemes of the HO Scale Horizon Car. Scroll on down to see them!

Need the item or road numbers? 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!

These items are closing out on the 15th of June, 2022: the HO Scale MLW M420 Locomotive (Canadian National versions) and the HO Scale UAC TurboTrain. Let's take a peek!

The CN M420 Rebuilds are almost ready to go to production! Just about a month away from their order deadline of June 15th, 2022. We have new samples to show! Check them out below.

The HO Scale MLW M420 Locomotive was (and continues to be) a popular locomotive. It had a spacious cab and could be used on road freights as well as a switcher - and even as an emergency electrical generator during an ice storm.

Here's the M420 sales catalogue. Everything you need to know about item numbers and paint schemes. Click the photo below to check it out.

Get those HO Scale M420 orders in! There's just about a month to go before we hit the June 15th, 2022 order deadline

An ode to an old friend! Rapido's very first powered-model offering to the world way back in 2008 was the HO Scale UAC TurboTrain. In March of 2022, we re-announced a brand new run for these ground-breaking models... and these ones will actually work! Well, it's almost time to close out the ordering period for them. June 15th, 2022 is the order deadline, so consider this your one month advance warning.

Make sure you watch the video about this very special train by clicking here or the photo below! That's Jason's layout, by the way. Beauty.

Did you know the TurboTrain still holds the speed records for production trains in Canada and the US? In hono(u)r of this feat, the TurboTrain released two fab and gear records, as seen below.

Click on the photo for the PDF catalog/catalogue of the UAC Turbo. Everything you need to know to order one or many or ALL!

The order deadline for the new Turbo 2.0 is June 15th. Don't forget about those exclusives from Otter Valley Railroad and Heartland Hobby!

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.

June 13th sees the return of our annual Canadian Dealer Open House. This is open to all Rapido wholesale customers. It's "Canadian" simply because it takes place in Canada at Rapido HQ. If you are a dealer and you want to join us, we will be offering travel credits as well as discounts on sales on the day. Americans, remember you need a passport to enter Canada. They're still a separate country for now. We will also be hosting a US Dealer Open House in October.

During the event we will host a Facebook Live (around 4:30 EDT, exact time to be confirmed) in which we will be announcing not one, not two, but THREE new HO scale locomotives! Please click here to visit our Facebook page. Jason will also have the bus out if you want to go for a tootle and we'll do our usual awesome kosher BBQ.

(Note: Maple doughnuts, we need maple doughnuts...)

If you are dealer, you should join us in person!

Tonight, May 12th at 7PM EDT, we will once again host another Rapido Live on our Facebook page! Join Dan, Josh and our host, Jordan as they discuss the new products, May order deadlines, what Rapido is currently up to and answer any questions you may have on the current state of products we offer. That's 7pm EDT, May 12th, 2022 - see you there!

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

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 and the one before that... 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.

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

Wait... what's this? Here's a first look at the 4316 display case box!

BAM! The 4316 display case box is one classy looking piece!

But how could we forget the best part: 4316 itself!

And now for the main event: The HO Scale E8s. Here the chassis are being readied to meet their bodyshells.

That's a lot of Union carbide plates! Safe to say the HO Scale Procor Hoppers are in full swing.

It's an RR-56 Reefer sighting! The roof is being QC checked, and then they will paint the insides of the cars gray before applying the lettering.

A collection of HO Scale AutoFlood Hoppers, almost ready to ship.

How about those HO Scale AutoFlood trucks? Looking spiffy with their blue bearing caps.

Check out those HO Scale AutoFlood coal loads, all stacked up.

It's the N Scale B-100 Boxcar! Or should we say a LOT of them!

A lot of model manufacturers were started with passion by model railroaders a long time ago but after so many generations the companies have lost sight of why they even got into this business.

Not so Rapido. Our president and founder, Jason Shron, spends every spare moment in his layout room and has received the ultimate honour bestowed upon model railroaders in North America: his layout is the cover feature in the June issue of Model Railroader magazine.

It's probably best left to Jason to summarize: "George Drury's article in the May 1982 Model Railroader magazine - with his kitbashed FPA-4 locomotive on the cover - introduced me to serious modeling of Canada's VIA trains. I was seven years old. I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that my own model FPA-4, built by my own company, Rapido Trains Inc, would be the next FPA-4 to grace the cover of Model Railroader... 40 years and one month later!

Thank you, MR, for this amazing honour!"

Click here or on the image above for a tour of Jason's layout in an exclusive video at Trains.com.

Well done Jason... We're proud of you!

Can you say MORE? June just might bring that! Stay tuned...

Until then,

Bobby