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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 158
©2022 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
Back again! This time we have all of the order deadline and factory info to hand out. So, without further ado, Rapido News 158...starts...right...NOW!
October Order Deadlines - October 17th, 2022
- HO Scale Procor 3000 cu ft Sodium Chlorate Hopper Car - New Video!
- HO Scale Southern Pacific B-50-15 and B-50-16 Boxcars - New Video!
November Order Deadlines - November 15th, 2022
- HO Scale Northeastern Design Caboose! - New Video!
- HO Scale GN 12-Panel 40' Boxcar
- N Scale ACF Flexi Flo Covered Hopper - Old Video!
Second Section
- New Videos
- Upcoming Shows
- New Arrivals / Shipping Dates
- Factory and Tooling Updates
- US Open House Recap
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HO Scale Procor 3000 cu ft Sodium Chlorate Hopper Car
New Video!
The Rapido HO Scale Procor 3000 cu ft Sodium Chlorate Hopper is the answer to the hungry paper mill on your layout. But don't forget, the order deadline is in just a few days: October 17th, 2022.
You can watch our new video on these fabulous cars. Please click here or on the image above to watch!
Let's take a walk through the samples and info once more.
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Those hoppers sure are looking good.
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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A nice side view, highlighting the piping.
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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Check out all of that detail!
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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The HO Scale Sodium Chlorate Hopper features:
- With or without top handrails
- Sparger outlet gates
- Etched walkways
- Separate grab irons installed at the factory
- All-new 100-ton Ride Control trucks with HydraShox hydraulic snubbers
- Etched placards (Side placards packed in polybag)
- Full end cage details
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Rapido semi-scale couplers
- MANY road numbers available for each scheme
- Available in singles or multi-packs
- Multi-packs boxed for individual sale
Only two main schemes on the first run, plus unlettered versions of both styles.
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Click on the sales catalogue for the Procor sodium chlorate hopper by clicking the photo below. It will open up as a pdf file. | |
October 17th, 2022 is just around the corner, so make sure you have all of your HO Scale Sodium Chlorate Hopper orders! You won't want to miss out on this long awaited and very popular car! | |
Check out our new SP Boxcar video! | |
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HO Scale Southern Pacific B-50-15 and B-50-16 Boxcar
New Video!
The B-50-15 and B-50-16 Boxcar has proven to be a very popular car! Then again, it was an important and long-lasting car that served the rail industry right up to the 1970s. That said, you won't want to miss the B-50-15 and 16 order deadline of October 17th, 2022.
Click here or on the image above to watch our latest YouTube video showcasing these beautiful models!
Ready to take a last minute peak at those samples?
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This is a B-50-15 with Murphy Radial roof and wood sides.
Note the K brakes.
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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Here's the B-50-15, with steel sides and a Viking roof.
Note the AB brakes.
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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Rapido’s new HO Scale B-50-15 and B-50-16 Boxcar models include a variety of unique details, including:
- Accurate sides in both wood and steel styles
- Viking and Murphy roofs
- Corrugated and Dreadnaught ends
- K- and AB-style brake systems as appropriate
- Separate ladders and grab irons
- All-new T-section trucks
- Free rolling turned metal wheelsets
- Carmer cut levers
- Metal stirrup steps
- Semi-scale couplers
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Each scheme will be available in either three- or six-packs with different numbers on each car. Each pack can be broken up for individual sale.
Scroll on down to check out the schemes and variations on this run.
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With every new product launch comes a new catalog. The HO Scale B-50-15/16 catalog has all of the needed info to help make your ordering decisions. Click the photo below to view it. | |
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HO Scale Northeastern Design Caboose!
New Video!
The little caboose that could did. The Northeastern Design Caboose was arguably one of the most popular and most notable caboose designs in the northeastern railroad scene. But wait, we now have painted samples to show! That also means we are nearing the order deadline which has been set for November 15th, 2022.
You can skip ahead if you want and just click here for the new video...
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The Lehigh Valley version looks great.
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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But the best is the Lehigh & New England.
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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No detail left behind! We took blueprints, field measurements and used photos to develop the Northeastern Design Caboose. The model features details and variations that cover the early builds right through to the end of their service lives. That means no other model, brass included, matches the level of detail our NE Caboose has! In fact, here is a list of features:
- Three styles of truck: Andrews, Birdsboro and Taylor
- Two different cupola roofs
- Two-tread or three-tread steps
- Two different sides – standard and Lehigh Valley with rain gutters above the windows.
- Three different end walls – Solid (RDG, CNJ), single window (LV) and double window (WM)
- Two running boards: Integral diamond-tread and Allan Wood Superior
- Multiple optional parts including stacks, window blanks, etched window frames and screens, toolboxes and more!
- Full underbody detail
- Turned-metal wheels
- Operating interior lights
We have a new video showing you the wonderful features and details of these cars. These cabooses are not the 30-year-old tooling you are used to seeing. Please click here or on the image below to watch!
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Note the blanked window on the CNJ version!
Click here to watch the video!
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Now, enough jibber jabber. It's time to check out the collage of schemes for the Northeastern Design Caboose! Scroll down to see every scheme we will be offering on the first run. | |
Ten schemes, plus undecorated. That means there should be something for everyone! All of that plus more info and item and road numbers can be found by clicking on the catalog below. | |
The Northeastern Design Caboose is almost ready for production! The order deadline is set for November 15th, 2022. So, get your orders in for these versatile cabooses! | |
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NEW! HO Scale GN 12-panel 40' Boxcar
The Great Northern Railway's boxcar fleet was certainly recognizable, with their many colors and logos used throughout the years. And what better way to celebrate the 12-panel 40' Boxcars than to have them in HO scale? We're happy to announce the order deadline of November 15th, 2022.
We got some new samples from the factory, and of course the factory installed the cut-down ladders on all the samples. Please note the cut-down ladders will be installed on the Big Sky Blue cars only, and will be a polybag part for some other paint schemes.
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The highly detailed underframe of the GN boxcars.
Pre-production samples are subject to revision.
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That's one rugged looking boxcar. Please note that this photographed car is a Frankenstein of details. Production run cars will have the proper prototype details for each paint scheme. Pre-production samples are subject to revision. | |
Yes! Those are etched walkways on the GN boxcars. Please note that this photographed car is a Frankenstein of details. Production run cars will have the proper prototype details for each paint scheme. Pre-production samples are subject to revision. | |
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Rapido's model of the HO Scale GN 12-Panel 40' Boxcar will certainly have the insane amount of details and build quality as our other freight cars. We've worked closely with the Great Northern Railway Historical Society to ensure we make this car as accurate as possible. In fact, here is a full list of features for these cars:
- Accurate sides
- Early or late improved dreadnaught ends
- Diagonal panel roofs
- Accurate welded underframes
- Correct 6’ Youngstown doors
- Full or cut-down ladders as appropriate
- Free rolling ASF Ride-Control trucks with turned metal wheelsets
- Rapido semi-scale couplers
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Multiple road numbers per scheme
Eight GN schemes to pick from! And these GN 40' Boxcars are certainly colorful. Scroll down to see the schemes and variations.
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Rocky wants you to go check out the sales catalog for the GN Boxcars. Click the photo below to open up the PDF. | |
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The order deadline for the HO Scale GN Boxcars has been set for November 15th, 2022, are you ready? Round up all of your orders!
All going well, we will have a video for you in the next newsletter. Bill is trying to get new samples first...
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N Scale ACF Flexi Flo Covered Hopper
Old Video!
The N Scale Flexi Flo has excellent looking samples, which means the order deadline isn't far off. In fact, we've set it for November 15th, 2022. So mark your calendars! In the meantime, let's take a peek at the video! Click here, the photo above or below to watch.
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Here are the N Scale Flexi Flo Hopper features:
- Two uniquely-different body styles - Early and Late
- Unique 125-Ton Barber S-2 trucks
- Etched metal running boards
- Injection-molded grab irons
- Fully detailed underbody with full discharge piping and brake equipment
- Factory-installed air pipes and coupler cut levers
- Available in singles and multi-packs
Ready to see ALL 12 schemes plus two painted, unlettered cars being offered on the initial run? Scroll on down.
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Check out the N Scale Flexi Flo catalog by clicking the photo below. It will open in PDF form for your enjoyment. | |
November 15th is the key date to remember. Make sure you have all of your N Scale Flexi Flo orders in by that date. Then get ready to own one of the most detailed freight cars ever produced in N scale! | |
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Second Section - October 2022 Part II
All sorts of videos, upcoming shows and samples to show! Plus I have an exclusive recap of our successful open house held a couple of weeks ago at the Illinois Railway Museum.
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It's time for a new video! And what better way to show off the Amtrak 4316 E-unit than in this special unboxing video hosted by Jordan? In it you will see all of the features plus a bit of history. Click here, the photo above or below to watch. | |
This weekend, October 13th to the 16th, is the Mid Atlantic Prototype Modelers Meet. Come on down to Timonium, Maryland to see John and some of our samples! We hope to see you there! | |
Photo courtesy of John Sjolander. | |
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On October 25h, 2022, come on down to the Club de Train WIMRC Railroad Club in Dorval, Québec. Jordan and Dan will have a few samples to show and be able to answer your questions! See you then!
We are also trying to set up a visit in Laval on the same trip. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page for more information as that is where we will post it.
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Can you believe Trainfest 2022 is just around the corner? After a two year hiatus, this great show returns and we're ready! Come visit the Rapido booth to see all of the samples we have plus just maybe a new announcement or two. That's on November 12th to the 13th at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. | |
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Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items are arriving, both at your dealer or to our warehouse soon! What could they be? Let's find out:
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Those Procor Hoppers look great! And soon, you'll be able to have them on your layout! | |
Nothing looks better than a green Southern E8 pulling the Crescent! | |
The IC scheme really was a beauty! Even better on an E8 Locomotive. | |
Ready to power your City of LA? These UP E8s are hopping to go! | |
Factory and Tooling Updates
Have a look at some of the latest photos from our factories!
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CB&Q E-units looking superb. These should be on the next overseas shipment. | |
The Train of the Goddess glistens in the late afternoon sun. | |
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The US Open House For the Ages!
By Bill Schneider
Bill: I'm too busy filming the caboose video to write this. Jordan?
Jordan: I'm filming our new arrivals video in Canada! Jason?
Jason: Bobby will do it.
Bobby: (audible sigh)
In early October, we hosted our US Open House at the Illinois Railway Museum. All of the elements came together to make this a great event! The weather was warm and sunny, the volunteers of IRM went the extra mile on hospitality and of course, you, the customers and dealers, were absolutely wonderful to meet and greet!
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Three US Rapido employees... three different Amtrak sleepers to get there! Bobby took the Lakeshore, John took the Cardinal, and Bill took the Capitol Limited. We shoved the two hoseheads into a tiny airplane. NO SLEEPERS FOR YOU! | |
...but did you really have to hug it? | |
After setup on Saturday and lots of running around to pickup incoming Rapido workers, print materials and of course, the required railfanning – err, I mean field research for some of us – we all met up at a BBQ restaurant in Huntley, Illinois. Working remote, it’s always great to see people in-person, so lots of stories and past events were relayed back and forth that night, making for a nice way to end the evening. | |
This is what it's all about! | |
Sunday dawned sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70s – ideal weather for being outdoors all day! IRM had their Shay, IC Decapod and trolleys running, but the real star was the Nebraska Zephyr set pulled by CB&Q 9911. While a number of us roamed, we left poor Jordan and Lystra to cover the booth for hours (Sorry guys! We’ll just be 15 more minutes…). But someone’s got to ride the head end of the 9911! Joking aside, the feedback from the customers is always a great connection, as we received suggestions, compliments and even ideas on how to improve certain projects. This is the reason why shows are important. Meanwhile… | They were six hours late, but they were bumped to business class so they weren't complaining.... | Jason and Janet were also supposed to arrive around noon – which almost didn’t happen, as their original flight was cancelled. They rebooked for a later flight, which meant Mohan and Bill would need to pick them up while the rest of us had to “settle” for a pizza outing. (Ed: We had steak and shawarma at Taboun!) | |
Jason's on a mission. Yes, he goes to a train museum and gets the most excited when he drives a bus. | |
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Monday was just like Sunday, bright and sunny and in the mid 70s. As the dealers filed in, many of us were busy setting up for the livestream and new product launch.
Click here to watch our livestream of new product announcements!
The time came and went, everything went off without a hitch and it was off to our catered lunch with the dealers. Meanwhile, behind the scenes the IRM crews were busy working their magic to setup not one but two surprises for Jason: taking the Zephyr back out and letting him drive not one but multiple buses including a trackless trolley!
All in all, you could not have asked for a better few days on our visit to Illinois. It was great seeing our customers, meeting the dealers and of course, the hardworking staff at the Illinois Railway Museum. We cannot thank them enough. So we would like to thank the customers and dealers for traveling to see us and Harold, Phil, Michael, Nick and Jamie, to name a few of the awesome IRM staff for all of the hospitality we received! Hats off to you.
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Bobby: Thanks, Bobby for that beautifully written summary of our IRM visit. I do believe it could be worthy of a Peabody Award.
Gomez: Don't throw out your shoulder while you're patting yourself on the back, eh?
Bobby: (Another audible sigh)
This closes out October's second newsletter. It's been an exciting opening to the month so here's to an exciting last half of it! We'll see you back in November.
Until then,
Bobby
Bobby Allard
The Grand Poohbah of Newsletter
and Marketing Officer
Rapido Trains Inc.
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USA: PO Box 796, Higganum, CT 06441
Canada: 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, ON L3R 5H5
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