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Dear Rapido Customer,
Here comes the September 2023 newsletter! It's packed with three new HO scale announcements, many order deadlines, and some exciting updates. Grab a drink and cool off from this late summer heat because Rapido News 173 is...ready...steady...GO!
Rapido Open House - Essex Steam Train & Riverboat!
- Public Meet & Greet
- Reminder for Dealers to RSVP!
New Announcements!
- HO Scale Trenton Works 6348 cu.ft. Boxcar
- HO Scale National Steel Car Ballast Car
- HO Scale AutoFlood Coal Hopper - New Schemes!
New Additions!
- HO Scale GMD-1 Locomotives For a Good Cause!
- Waterloo Central
- Winnipeg Railway Museum
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
October Order Deadlines - October 16th, 2023
- HO Scale GE 44-Tonner Locomotive
- HO Scale GMD-1 Locomotive
- HO Scale North American BiLevel Commuter Cars
- HO Scale Southern Pacific Dome Lounge - Preliminary Deadline
- HO Scale NSC 5304 cu.ft. CN Combination Door Boxcar
Second Section
- Upcoming Shows
- New Arrivals / Shipping Dates
- Factory and Tooling Updates
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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 in the big red building behind the station. 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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NEW! HO Scale Trenton Works 6348 cu.ft. Boxcar
Rapido is pleased to offer the HO Scale Trenton Works 6348 cu.ft. Boxcar. Built between November 1993 and February 1994, Canadian National purchased 300 of these cars for specialty wood products and lumber service all across Canada. The cars had a major presence in the province of Québec soon after delivery and were later seen all across North America. They are still in service today.
Oddly enough, these cars did not receive the usual “Canadien National” French spelling, instead having both sides in the traditional “Canadian National” look. The operational and warning labels instead were bilingual - another unique oddity to these cars.
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The Trenton Works 6348 cu.ft. Boxcars can be seen in lumber service all across North America. But not just lumber, they have also made their way into general merchandise service as well. An all-purpose boxcar, just for you, and not just for Hoseheads!
More photos of the 3D CAD render below. The tooling is subject to further refinement.
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The classic look of CN freight cars. | |
Ready to get to work, hauling freight. | |
Combo door and awesome peaked roof should pique your interest. | |
Lots of underbody detailing! | |
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The Rapido Trenton Works 6348 cu.ft. CN Boxcar features:
- Designed from original blueprints and field measurements.
- Redi Roof 1 (peaked and overhanging)
- Correct handbrake styles and housings
- Barber S-2 cast steel trucks
- Full underbody detailing
- Correct brake platforms and running boards
- Semi-scale couplers and coupler boxes
- Free-rolling turned metal wheels
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Multiple road numbers available per scheme
- Assembled, painted/unlettered version offered
Now, let's see the schemes on this run. Reminder, it's all CN...almost.
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Check out the PDF catalogue for the Trenton Works boxcar by clicking the photo below. | November 15th, save the date. That's when the order deadline is for the HO Scale Trenton Works Boxcar. That's only two months away! So crank up those orders then sit back and watch this car take off, eh? | |
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NEW! HO Scale National Steel Car Ballast Hopper
In the mid-1970s, National Steel Car of Hamilton, Ontario, designed and developed a welded steel open-top hopper car specifically for ballast and maintenance of way operations. These NSC Ballast Hoppers were purchased in volume by both CN and CP to replace older (sometimes repurposed) drop-bottom hopper cars, as well as to expand their fleets. The majority of these cars were purchased under the 1978 Government of Canada Branch Line Rehabilitation Program, which was brought about by the need to improve the quality and condition of many Canadian prairie branch lines where the new larger and heavier government grain cars were being introduced.
Since the initial purchase in the mid-1970s, many continue to wear their Branch Line Rehabilitation stencil on the side of the car, whereas others have had this label painted over. Fleet numbers are also an identifier of which cars were government funded and which were purchased by the railway.
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At work on the Kingston Sub in 1998. Photo courtesy of Jason! | |
Check out that ballast rushing out of the gates. Photo also courtesy of Jason! | |
Preliminary 3D render. It's a bit...orange. | |
Today, many of these NSC Ballast Hoppers continue to run and contribute to the upkeep of Canadian railways. We will be tooling the CN ACI label panel visible in Jason's photos. It is not yet reflected in these drawings. | |
The highly detailed underbodies. | |
The timeless look of the Multimark logo. | The HO Scale NSC Ballast Hoppers are also very similar to that of many American roads' hoppers, wearing a wide variety of paint schemes and graphics. We will have a great selection of roads, but let's take a look at a few proto photos first. | |
Here are the HO Scale NSC Ballast Hopper features:
- Removable ballast load
- Diecast frame
- Separate metal grab irons installed at the factory
- Coupler cutbars and airhoses
- Metal wheels
- Semi-scale, metal couplers
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Multiple road numbers available for each scheme
- Available in singles or multi-packs
- Multi-packs boxed for individual sale
Check out the many schemes we will be offering on this run below. We even included three generic colors for you to make into your freelance road or another railroad that used these colors!
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Check out the NSC Ballast hopper cataloge by clicking the photo below. It'll open as a PDF. | |
The HO Scale NSC Ballast Hopper closes out on November 15th, 2023, as well. We will have samples in the next few weeks. Please visit our Facebook page or our Instagram to see them! | |
Coal and Nebraska: An iconic duo. Photo courtesy of Matt Gentry. | |
HO Scale AutoFlood III Hoppers - New Schemes!
The most popular car in our line is back for more! Please welcome the HO Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Hopper Car back to the fray for another run with some awesome new schemes!
Beginning production in 2004, the all-aluminum body prototype has been produced in the thousands and has traversed all over North America. With millions of tons of coal per year being mined and hauled out of various locations across the country, you would be hard pressed to not have seen one of these prototype cars in a modern-day coal train.
| Coal fleet! Taken at the Southern Transcon Model Railroad. (Thanks for the invite guys! - Matt). Photo courtesy of Matt Gentry. | Attention to detail. Photo of car from initial run. | This 4200 cubic foot, exterior post prototype (not to be confused with other prototype exterior post or interior post models) is primarily used as a rapid discharge car which can unload the payload in a matter of seconds via the bottom bay doors. However, the car can also be equipped with a rotary coupler at the end(s) of the car, indicated by the color blocks, for either bottom discharge or rotary unloading based on the infrastructure at the final destination. | |
The BNSF circle-cross logo. Photo courtesy of Matt Gentry. | |
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Car Spotlight!
In the previous run, we offered Union Pacific - CMO cars. These cars are owned by UP, but the reporting marks are sublettered for subsidiary CMO, which originally stood for Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha. The purpose for these non-UP marks was to create space within their car rosters, since UP owns thousands of freight cars.
On this run we are offering Union Pacific "UP" marks: true UP lettered hopper cars! These will fit right into your UP coal train fleet.
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Here's the HO Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Hopper features:
- Die-cast frame and floor for optimum car weight
- Full interior rivet and K-member details
- Super-detailed end cages including separate air and brake piping
- Barber S-2 100-ton Trucks with metal wheels
- Hopper bays feature highly-detailed outlet gates
- Etched, see-through end cross-over platforms
- Full end detail, including uncoupling levers
- Separate grab irons installed at the factory
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Removable coal load included
- Multiple road numbers available for each scheme
- Available in singles or multi-packs (Dealers must order multi-packs.)
- Multi-packs boxed for individual sale
And saving the best part for last: the schemes! Scroll down to see the eight being offered.
| Time for the Coal-talog. Yes, I used that before. Check out the Rapid Discharge Hopper catalog by clicking on the photo below. | |
We'll be closing the HO Scale AutoFlood III Rapid Discharge Hopper out on November 15th, 2023. Like the cars from the Great White North, that's only TWO MONTHS to place your orders! So get ahead of the game and place your orders now! | |
GMD-1 locomotives for a good cause! Photo courtesy of Stephen C. Host/Railpictures.ca photo. | |
HO Scale GMD-1 Locomotives For A Good Cause
We announced the HO Scale GMD-1 Locomotive a few newsletters ago, but we wanted to add TWO surviving and unique models to the fray: number 1012, which was originally Canadian National 1437, currently running at the Waterloo Central Railway and the class unit, number 1900, which is kept at the Winnipeg Railway Museum. But wait, there's more! 10% of the sales will also be donated to each organization to help their preservation efforts for future generations. A win-win for everyone!
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Still soldering on. Photo courtesy of Stephen C. Host/Railpictures.ca photo. | |
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Waterloo Central Railway 1012
Waterloo Central 1012 also enjoyed a very long career with CN spanning from delivery in 1958 all the way through 2021 when it was donated to the Waterloo Central Railway! Built with 6-axle A1A-A1A trucks for service on light-rail Prairie branch lines, 1012 was rebuilt in 1988 and renumbered 1607. It was renumbered 1437 in 1998 when it was rebuilt once again with B-B Flexicoil trucks. Renumbered into its original road number, today the 1012 remains in operation on the museum’s excursion trains.
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Photo by Peter Cox, courtesy of Mark Perry. | |
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Winnipeg Railway Museum 1900
Canadian National 1900 was delivered in September 1958, and was the first in a series of units equipped with a steam generator for passenger service. Assigned for much of its life as the Winnipeg station switcher, the unit would remain in freight service well into the 1990s before being donated to the Museum based in Winnipeg Union Station.
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Just like the rest of the HO Scale GMD-1 Locomotive models further below, they share the same October 16th, 2023, order deadline. These GMD-1s are too hard to pass up, so support those organizations and place your order today! | |
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September Order Deadlines - September 15th, 2023
The HO Scale Canadian Pacific H1a/b Steam Locomotive and the HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. Mechanical Reefer all close out on the 15th of September, 2023. Let's take a quick look through each of these fine models.
We normally give you about a week between our newsletter and the order deadline. As we just got so many new samples delivered, this newsletter was delayed a few days. To that end, we'll accept September 15th deadline orders throughout next week as well.
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HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive
We haven't mentioned this project in a while, but that does not mean we weren't steadily working on it. This is the first the FA-1 and FB-1 have been given the museum-quality treatment. Most FA models on our customers' layouts were tooled in 2000! We think 20 years is a good run for a model, but it's time to upgrade to 21st-century technology!
To that end, there are just a few days left to pre-order your HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotives. But guess what? We have a brand-new video to show you! Click here, the photo above or below to watch!
| Now, want to see the new HO Scale FA and FB-1 Locomotive pre-production samples that just arrived? Check them out below. | The Lehigh & New England FA and FB-1. | The Pennsylvania version. The factory got the DGLE wrong on these samples, as Jason points out in the video. Don't worry - we'll get it right for production. | 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. | The HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive closes out in a few days. Make sure to get the FA locomotives you want by placing your pre-order! | |
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HO Scale Canadian Pacific H1a/b Steam Locomotive
How about we take another peek at the HO Scale Canadian Pacific H1a/b Steam Locomotive before it heads off to its order deadline! Before we see some of the samples, let's take a look at the new video just posted. Click here, the photo above or below to watch.
Ed: The running boards were a bit wibbly-wobbly on the hand-assembled sample in the video. We're fixing that for production.
Wibbly-wobbly?
Ed: Timey-Wimey!
If anyone knows what the heck he's talking about, you have one up on me...
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The HO Scale H1a and H1b class features are so intense, we want to show you EVERY detail again. This is a museum level steam locomotive, in HO scale. Here they are:
- Designed from prototype drawings and measurements
- Road number specific factory applied details for each unit
- Separately applied metal handrails 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 include second whistle and generator
- High-quality, custom wood display case
And now for some neat photos of the real thing and the samples.
|  | CP 2816 charges by, ditch lights blazing. Photo courtesy of Adam Meeks. | The model also features the unique ditch lights. | |
Nothing better than steam leading diesels. Photo courtesy of Adam Meeks.
(Ed: there are a lot of things better than that.)
Can I fire you?
(Ed: No. Go away.)
| Dig those smoke deflectors | |
CP 2816 stands out, day or night. Photo courtesy of Adam Meeks. | |
Remember, every CP 2816 "Empress" model comes with a wood display box! | |
Check out the HO Scale H1a/b catalogue by clicking the photo below. It'll open as a PDF. | |
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HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. CP Mechanical Reefer
The HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. Mechanical Reefer is a true staple to Canadian Pacific as well as Canadian railroading. But they didn't just stay north of the border. These cars could be seen all throughout North America, delivering perishable goods from producer to market. But wait! This reefer is the REAL DEAL. No more American-style reefer clones or imitations. From rivet to cut bar, this is a true Canadian reefer.
Now, check out the brand-new video we just created by clicking here, the photo above or below.
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Now let's check out a few more snapshots of the HO Scale NSC 3294 CP Mechanical Reefer sample. | Here's the unpainted pre-production sample. | The side view shows all of the details as well as the louvers and tank placements. | |
The HO Scale NSC 3294 CP Mechanical Reefer features:
- Separate grab irons installed at the factory
- Wire stirrup steps
- 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with metal wheels and electrical pick-ups
- Rapido semi-scale metal knuckle couplers
- Drawn from original blueprints and prototype measurements
- Separate door posts, door latches and coupler cut levers
- Fully-detailed underframe, including piping and mechanical equipment
- Optional sound unit available for easy installation!
Did we mention the optional sound unit available? Yes, we did! This is an after-market plug n' play sound board we will be offering separately in addition to the cars themselves.
(FYI, the factory that was making sound units for us flaked out so we're sourcing them from a new supplier. We expect to have the sound units in stock by January. Our sincerest apologies to those of you who ordered the Santa Fe reefers and have been waiting for the sound units.)
Now, check out the schemes running on this initial offer.
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Click the photo below to see the PDF sales catalogue for the CP Reefers. | |
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HO Scale GE 44-Tonner Locomotive
The little engine that could did! The GE 44-Tonner Locomotive is one small, but powerful and determined model in our line of offerings. And now we are proud to announce the order deadline of October 16th, 2023. This means we are one step closer to seeing these in production! So, let's take a quick look at the highlights.
| A side angle view of the Phase Ic. | This is the Phase III version. | Another view of the Phase III 44-Tonner. | This is the Phase IV version with those unique CN pilot details. | |
The Rapido Trains HO scale GE 44-Tonner locomotive features:
- Multiple phases and detail variations
- Phase Ic (never offered before in plastic) both with and without lighted hood side number boards
- Phase III (also never offered before in plastic) with positionable top hood hatches
- Phase IV
- Heavy, die-cast chassis and fuel tank
- Correct fuel tank skirting in two styles
- Separately-applied door latches
- Full cab interior
- Photo-etched cab steps
- Smooth running, strong coreless motor with dual flywheels
- DC models are DCC ready with NEXT-18 decoder socket and speakers
- DCC models are sound equipped with ESU decoders and sounds and include our own “Mo-Power” power capacitor
And why not see ALL of the schemes being offered on the first run? Scroll down to check them out! We even have painted, unlettered versions for your industry or short line.
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Here's something you can contribute to!
One of the many organizations that own a 44-Tonner today is the Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society, in this case ex-NYO&W 44-Tonner #105. A group of volunteers from the society is currently restoring it back to operating condition at the Steamtown shops in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Rapido is pleased to support their efforts by donating 5% of the sales of all O&W 44-Tonner models to the O&WRHS to be used in this effort. Further information about #105 can be found clicking here.
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We would also like to introduce an exclusive from Trainworld! They are taking orders for the Long Island Rail Road's one and only 44-tonner, #400. The 400 wears the "Tichy" scheme with a modified "one-of-a-kind" herald on the cab. This is a must-get for any LIRR fan!
Check out more by clicking here or the photo below.
| HobbyTyme Distributors will be offering an exclusive run of HO Scale 44-Tonners. Three awesome and unique roadnames will be available exclusively through HobbyTyme and their dealers. Check out the three paint schemes listed in the photo below. As mentioned above, the new Mo-Power capacitor will also be featured on these locomotives. | Check out the catalog by clicking on the photo below. | |
Now that the order deadline is set, this is the time to make sure all of your orders are in so you can sit back and relax. The HO Scale GE 44-Tonner will be here soon enough! | |
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HO Scale GMD-1 Locomotive
The HO Scale GMD-1 Locomotive returned with much fanfare just a couple of months ago and we want to remind you its order deadline is fast approaching.
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Let's check out the schemes listed below. We'll be back next newsletter with a bit more on these uniquely Canadian roadswitchers. Also, please subscribe to our YouTube channel as we'll soon be posting a video about our charity GMD-1 models, including a new fundraiser for the Winnipeg Railway Museum. | |
OK, time to check out the GMD-1 sales catalogue. Click the link below to open the PDF. | |
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HO Scale North American BiLevel Commuter Cars - New Versions!
By popular demand, we brought the HO Scale North American BiLevel Commuter Cars back and you've responded by ordering a bunch! These popular cars have returned with NINE new schemes and some new body styles!
Check out some of the previous run cars and details below.
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End details? Of course! You won't get this level of detail anywhere else. | |
Check out that step with see-through grating. | |
Interior lights ready to shine and don't forget the painted interiors! | Below are the schemes for this new run. Snazzy! | |
Let's talk Toronto. (Ed: Yay!)
Over the past decade, GO Transit/Metrolinx has been gradually rolling out its refreshed paint scheme affectionately known as "coleslaw". With such a massive fleet, it's taking a while to repaint every piece of rolling stock in this bold new livery, but you can update a bunch of YOUR fleet in one shot by ordering your coleslaw cars now!
- Both GO Transit and GO/Metrolinx schemes available
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NEW Metrolinx two-tone green scheme coaches, BOTH new and refurbished!
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NEW Refurbished cab cars, either to lead your train or work as mid-train coaches!
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NEW Late-era cab cars with dual end windows! (and they're still in service too!)
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NEW Updated GO Transit paint schemes appropriate for service from the 2000s+
- Create your very own modern “mix and match” GO Transit consist
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The BiLevel Commuter Cars feature:
- Accurate body shell designs with or without rivet details
- Five windows or four windows on the lower level, as appropriate
- Different size windows according to car series
- Free-rolling, highly-detailed inside-bearing trucks with roller-bearing axles and metal wheelsets
- Minimum 22” radius curves
- Full underbody and unrivalled interior detail
- Accurate painting and lettering, both inside and out
- Tinted windows
- Metal side grab irons
- Constant interior lighting in DC and DCC
- Controllable cab car lighting in both DC and DCC
| Click the photo and it will open as a PDF. | |
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HO Scale Southern Pacific Dome Lounge
This is your one month conditional order deadline warning for Southern Pacific’s home built Dome Lounge cars! Remember, this is a Conditional Release, which means if we get enough reservations by the early bird deadline of October 16, 2023 then the project will get the green light. To sweeten the deal, any orders placed before that date (October 16) will receive a 5% pre-order discount!
We'll be back next month with more info and a video. In the meantime, check out the schemes below.
| Check out the SP Dome Lounge catalog below, by clicking the photo. It will open as a PDF. | Are you ready to order your HO Scale SP Dome Lounge car? Because of the conditionality of this announcement, don't wait to order! This is a must-have car for the "Espee" and passenger car fans alike. | |
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HO Scale NSC 5304 cu.ft. CN Combination Door Boxcar
Truly Canadian, truly ready for the October 16th, 2023, order deadline. This is the HO Scale NSC 5304 cu.ft. Combination Door Boxcar. These venerable boxcars still continue to serve their purpose and run thousands of miles each year in lumber and general freight service.
We'll feature a video on these cars next time around, so until then, check out the samples below.
| That combination door highlights the extreme attention to detail. | These cars are going to look great! | The underbody doesn't mess around. Triple valve, reservoir, air and brake lines. It has it all! | |
Here's the CN Combination Door Boxcar features:
- Separate grab irons installed at the factory
- 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with metal wheels
- Rapido semi-scale metal knuckle couplers
- Drawn from original blueprints and drawings
- Separate door posts, door latches and coupler cut levers
- Fully-detailed underframe
Here come the paint schemes! Check them out below.
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Click the photo below to see the PDF sales catalogue: | |
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Second Section - September 2023
Here are the latest deliveries and an upcoming show!
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Otter Valley Railroad Show - September 16th, 9AM-5PM
Come on down to Otter Valley Railroad in Tillsonburg, Ontario, for the 3rd Annual Manufacturer Pop-Up event! Join Dan and Dan, plus a selection of our newest samples on display. That's 9AM to 5PM, hope to see you there!
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Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items are arriving soon!
In stores or arriving now:
Arriving in our warehouse in September:
Arriving in our warehouse in October:
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N scale centerbeams are almost ready to roll! | |
Here's the Canadian National centerbeam. | |
The classic BC Rail centerbeam. | |
Check out that Z-pattern! Remember, this is N scale. | |
The classic Reading caboose. | |
A classic consist: CP Angus Van and an RS-18u. | |
The Bath & Hammondsport RS-18u. | |
The Ontario Southland RS-18u. | |
The RSC-14, a Maritime classic. | |
The Procor 3000 cu.ft. Sodium Chlorate hoppers are almost ready to run on your layout! | The UP ACR boxcars will be arriving soon. | Red boxcars just look special. | Great Northern green fits the body well | Great Northern Big Sky Blue, easy on the eyes. | |
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That wraps up this monster newsletter. If you're still reading it this far, thanks! In fact, if you did, you'll see that we're already going to discuss more ne items for next month - potentially in TWO newsletters for October. You'll just have to wait and see.
Until next time,
Bobby Allard
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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Check out our YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter! | | | | |
