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Dear Rapido Customer,
ATTENTION! Here comes the September 2023 order deadline announcements as well as some exciting updates. Grab a drink and cool off from the Summer heat as Rapido News 171...starts...right...NOW!
September Order Deadlines - September 15th, 2023
- HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive
- HO Scale Canadian Pacific H1a/b Steam Locomotive
- HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. CP Mechanical Reefer
General Announcements - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of N Scale
- N Scale Passenger Sets Have Been Cancelled
- HO Scale GP38 Exclusive Scheme
- HO Scale H16-44 Update
- HO Scale C30-7 Update
- HO Scale CP D10 Steam Engine Update
Second Section
- Upcoming Shows
- New Arrivals / Shipping Dates
- Factory and Tooling Updates
- Rapido's Expanded Office!
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The gang's all here.
Decorated renders subject to final revision.
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HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive
It's been a while since we had a proper HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive update, but here comes an important one! The order deadline is now set for September 15th, 2023, and we have some renders and early sample models to show.
Before we show them, we want to mention we'll have a video to accompany the pre-order deadline in September. We may even have another sample to show, so tune in to September's newsletter. Now, time to see those 3D CAD renders!
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The Reading FA-1 3D CAD render looks stunning!
Decorated renders subject to final revision.
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Can't forget the FB-1.
Decorated renders subject to final revision.
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Next up is the UP FA-1.
Decorated renders subject to final revision.
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And here is the Canadian Pacific FA-1 and FB-1.
Decorated renders subject to final revision.
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Check out the early, unpainted samples. The HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotives are the real deal - pre-orders for these are on track to beat the GP38 and the RS-11! Who'd have guessed? These samples do not yet have rivets and are a mish-mash of prototype details. But overall we just needed some minor tweaking and these will be ready for production this fall. | |
Now for the FA-1 early sample. That nose is spot on! | |
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And now for the HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive features:
- Correct nose and windshield contours, scanned from sister loco FPA-4
- Flat or angled number boards as appropriate
- Dynamic and non-dynamic brake versions
- Etched side and fan screens
- Heavy, die-cast chassis
- 5-pole motor with dual flywheels
- Operating headlights, class lights and back-up lights
- Full underbody piping and conduit
- Separate grab irons and handrails
- Many road-specific details installed or included
- Full, multi-color interior
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound) options
- Mo-Power capacitor system for uninterrupted operation in DCC
And we can't forget to show the first run paint schemes! Scroll down to check them out.
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Ready to look at the catalog? This PDF contains everything else you need to know about the HO Scale FA-1 and FB-1 locos. Click the photo below to check it out. | |
CPR 2816 and its high quality wood display case. | |
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HO Scale Canadian Pacific H1a/b Steam Locomotive
Ah, yes, the HO Scale Canadian Pacific H1a/b Steam Locomotive. We've been dropping teaser photos of this steam engine for the past few months. Now the deadline is here. Much like the Alco FAs, we'll have an in-depth video in September with every highlight and more. With that said, let's take a quick overview of the H1a/b locos.
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Yes, that's 2816 looking gorgeous.
This is a pre-production sample. Still some tweaks to do, like that walkway...
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Ditch lights blazing. We've fixed the cab roof since this photo was taken. | |
One solid looking locomotive. | |
Everything looking extra crispy! | |
Check out those eye-catching smoke deflectors. This is an early sample, please note the cab roof has since been corrected. | |
Etched-brass number plate adds a nice touch. | |
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The HO Scale H1a and H1b class will feature the new Mo-Power capaciter! Designed by Rapido with the guidance of ESU LokSound, this handy electrical component, which is integrated with the main PCB board, ensures you run uninterrupted from a momentary loss of track power. It will provide anywhere from two to five seconds of juice, depending on the Rapido locomotive.
Check out the video with all of the inner workings of it by clicking here or the photo below.
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The HO Scale H1a and H1b class features:
- Designed from prototype drawings and measurements
- Road number specific factory applied details for each unit
- Separately applied metal hand rails and grabs
- Blackened wheels and driving rods
- Correct cylinders and valve gear
- Smooth-running drive train
- Accurate and complete piping, underbody and tender details
- Correct coal tenders for regular service units
- Correct oil tender for the post-restoration version of #2816
- Early or later style walkways
- “Elephant Ear” smoke deflectors on correctly numbered models
- “Flickering” fire box in detailed cab (DCC controlled)
- Working head light, classification lights, interior cab light and back up lights (DCC controlled)
- DCC sound version includes synchronized chuff, accurate whistles, bells, air pumps, generator, safety valves and many other effects! (Not all sound features of DCC sound units will function in DC mode)
- Accurate paint and decoration
- 22” Minimum radius
- Mo-Power capacitor system for uninterrupted operation in DCC
...but wait, there's more!
CP 2816 in all its glory!
- All of the features above (where appropriate)
- Operating ditch lights
- Correct oil tender
- Post-rebuild details
- High-quality, custom wood display case
And now for the schemes of the H1, in two groups.
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Chugga-chugga-Catalogue! (Yes we used that line for the announcement.) Check out the catalogue in PDF form, by clicking the photo below. | |
A brand new NSC Reefer, so fresh you can smell the paint. Photo courtesy of Kevin J. Holland. | |
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HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. CP Mechanical Reefer
The popular HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. Mechanical Reefer is the last of the three models to share the September 15th order deadline. Check out the renders and samples. Next month we'll have a more in-depth view and video on this "cool" car.
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It might be a 3D render, but this car looks superb! | |
Here's the unpainted pre-production sample. | |
Click the photo below to see the PDF sales catalogue for the CP Reefers. | |
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General Announcements
For our second time featuring the General Announcements section, we bring some bad news, but also some good news.
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N Scale Passenger Sets Have Been Cancelled
It is with heavy hearts that we need to inform you that our N scale Canadian passenger sets and the N scale 4-8-4 Duplex sleeper Edmundston have unfortunately been cancelled.
Upon review of the numbers, we were simply not able to get enough orders to allow us to break even on the project.
It is not all bad news, however. The total sales of the E-series Sleeper Edmundston would have been $7800. We will round that up to $8000 and donate that amount to the VIA Historical Association / L'Association Historique de VIA. That's an $8000 donation, direct from Rapido that we are making because of your help - thanks!
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HO Scale GP38 Locomotive - HobbyTyme Exclusive!
Are you ready for another HobbyTyme exclusive? It's the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western HO Scale GP38s! These attractive locomotives mix a hunter green, cream and red pin striping to make one of the nicest schemes in railroading. There will be three road numbers with specific details unique to each road number. Click here or ask your favorite dealer for more info.
Check out the sales catalog for just these fantastic GP38s by clicking the photo below. It'll open as a PDF. As a HobbyTyme exclusive, your dealer needs to reserve with HobbyTyme directly.
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HO Scale H16-44 Locomotive Update!
Here's a quick update for the HO Scale H16-44 Locomotive: new renders! Jeremy is hard at work creating all sorts of material and took some time to colorize these neat looking 3D CAD renders of the H16-44.
We've had to redesign these locomotives completely and it's taken a huge amount of time - probably more than any other locomotive we've ever done. On top of that, Dan Darnell was responsible for our office expansion (see below) and he could not work on the two project simultaneously. He's back in the saddle and we expect this FM beauty to be in tooling in the next couple of months. More updates to come!
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The maroon and gold looks sharp. | |
This angle reveals all of the underbody detailing. | |
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HO Scale C30-7 Locomotive Update!
Here's another surprise! It's our HO Scale C30-7 Locomotive in the form of very early tooling samples. Please note, lots of details have yet to be applied, so if you see something missing do not be alarmed!
We plan to have more photos of these once we receive them in a few weeks. Stay tuned for more info.
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HO Scale CP D10 Steam Engine Update!
Canadian steam fans rejoice! The HO Scale CP D10 Steam Engine is almost here. They should be leaving the factory by the end of the month, which means arrival this fall. The long wait is almost over to finally own one of these magnificent ten wheeler steam locomotives. And they have Mo-Power to boot!
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Second Section - August 2023
Videos, shows and more! Here comes the August Second Section.
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NEW VIDEO - N Scale FlexiFlo (and other) Hoppers, featuring Lionel Strang
Hold onto your hats, this next video gets wild! We show off the newly arrived N Scale ACF FlexiFlo Hoppers and other assorted N Scale cars. But the main attraction is the one and only Lionel Strang causing all sorts of havoc. Click here or the photo above to watch.
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NMRA National Show 2023 - The Texas Express
August 25th, 26th and 27th, 2023
We'll be at the NMRA National Show in Grapevine, Texas at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. For the keen-eyed observers, you'll note that we had a few 3D printed items on display at the St. Louis RPM. Well, stay tuned! We might just officially announce them here. Who knows what or how many items we'll announce... we're just that crazy!
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Rapido Open House - Essex Steam Train & Riverboat!
Ready for our next US Open House? We're hosting it at the Valley Railroad, home of the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat in Essex, Connecticut, over two days in October.
- Sunday, October 15th, 11AM to 4PM, is our general public Rapido Meet and Greet. No need to RSVP. Just come to the railroad as normal (no admission fee is required) and you'll find our display. We look forward to seeing you in person! You can then buy tickets to ride the train and boat - it's a great day out!
- Monday, October 16th, 10AM to 4PM, is our US Dealer Open House. Dealers please come and bring your families to take part in a fun Rapido day out. Please RSVP by Wednesday September 28th. If you don't RSVP, the bouncers won't let you in! To RSVP, you can just reply to this email.
- We're doing a Live Stream from the Dealer Open House (Time TBD) and we will have lots of new announcements! Please follow us on Facebook to ensure you don't miss it!
We look forward to seeing everyone in Essex, Connecticut, in October!
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Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items are arriving soon!
Arriving in our warehouse in September:
Arriving in our warehouse in October:
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After a long wait, the high hood U25Bs are here! | That red and white Frisco unit looks superb. | Can't forget the UP high hoods as well. | |
Simple, yet a rugged fan favorite. | |
The EL U25B looks classy in the GMY scheme. | |
Check out that awesome swing bell, an NP staple. | |
The classic Reading caboose. | |
Cabooses have canopeners, too! | |
The UP ACR boxcars will be arriving soon. | |
The GN boxcars will be headed over as well. | |
The classic green of the GN. | |
Factory and Tooling Updates | |
Finally! A GP9RM production update! | It's been a while, but here are some of the Sodium Chlorate Hoppers in production. | No, it's not bread, it's Sodium Chlorate Hoppers. | Sodium Chlorate Hopper end cages. | All sorts of parts for the Sodium Chlorate Hoppers. | N Scale Centerbeams, anyone? | An early view of the PC&F B70 Boxcars in production. | |
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Here's Jason with a quick update:
JASON: Thanks, Bobby!
Thanks to the efforts of Dan Darnell, Francis Wong, Lystra Balliram, Dan Garcia and the whole team, Rapido's head office has expanded to its next-door neighbour. We now have over 10,000 square feet of office and warehouse space to handle the increased business we've experienced over the last few years.
The team took care of this while also cleaning up from a flood in the office. Simply amazing work!
Our signs out front have been inspired by CN and VIA's cardboard trains that many of us remember so fondly, as well as a 1976 Turbo brochure that introduced the new VIA colours.
Yes, we've had people come in asking to buy tickets. But strangely, they usually ask to buy bus tickets....
Congratulations to the Rapido team for doing such a great job!
Back to you, Bobby...
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BOBBY: Thanks, Jason.
We'll part ways this month with a shot from Dave Abeles's Onondaga Cutoff Layout of our HO Scale RTL Turboliner. Check out that realistic weathering. It really takes your back to the mid 1990s!
And we cannot forget to mention we still have some stock left of these awesome Turboliners. But don't wait - they won't be around for long!
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See you in a few weeks? Maybe you'll hear from us around the time of the NMRA show. You'll just have to wait and see!
Until next time,
Bobby Allard
Chief Buffalo of Newsletters
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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