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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 191
©2024 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
It's September! Back to school for many, which means we're bringing you to Rapido University, where we will teach you about the upcoming order deadlines. We will also cue up the VCR and show you some new videos. Don't forget to grab your new VIA book before classes begin. Let's jump right in — don't be late to class!
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In this 191st issue...
- Rapido and Me
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New Book! The Cars of VIA: Heritage Fleet, Volume 1 by Richard Longpré
- Toronto's First Subway Update
- The New Rapido Bus Comes Home
- September 16th Order Deadlines
- October 15th Order Deadlines
Also other announcements...
- New Videos
- Upcoming Shows
- Product Updates
If you are using a web-based email service such as Gmail, be sure to click on the link near the bottom of the email that says something like "[Message clipped] View entire message". That will ensure you don't miss any of this newsletter.
Please note that all renders and artwork are subject to change before the final product release.
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Rapido and Me — Customer Photo Submissions
Back for more! Check out some of the recent photo submissions we've received from our friends, below. Remember, you too can be featured in Rapido and Me. You just have to send them to us at trains@rapidotrains.com or tag us on social media (and not in a story that will disappear after 24 hours!).
Here's three awesome submissions for this month.
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Here's an SP PA with train and he famous SP 10 at the Antioch Model Railroad Club.
Models and photo courtesy of Joseph Cliscagne.
| A Milwaukee Road SW1200 crosses over a neat scene on the Beaverton Modular Club's setup. | |
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NEW BOOK! The Cars of VIA: Heritage Fleet, Volume 1
Here's a message from the author, Richard Longpré:
It is with great pleasure that I finally present the first volume of this work, The Cars of VIA: Heritage Fleet, Volume 1. Structured by the numbers, it is the first of a series of several comprehensive guides illustrating VIA’s inherited passenger fleet from CN and CP Rail that led to the creation of VIA Rail Canada in 1977.
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This book has it all: diagrams, car data, roster info and more! | |
I've followed my passion for trains through my profession and through this book. After 15 years of in-depth research into the history and technology of these celebrated railcars, the information is now gathered into one place. Included is a huge collection of personal and shared photos to top it all off. It is my hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed researching it. | The proud author, Richard Longpré, with Jason. | |
For those unfamiliar with my career, I spent 36 years on the railway! I started as a train operator for CP Rail in 1986, then as a running trade in 1987 — working the yards and freights. I even worked VIA’s steam-heated passenger trains as a conductor in the 1980s and finally retired as a locomotive engineer with VIA Rail Canada in 2023. All aboard!
You can order the book below. You won't want to miss out on Volume 1 — preorder your copy now!
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1029 out on the road...sort of. Photo courtesy of Otto Vondrak. | |
The Rapido New Look Bus 1029 Arrives Home
After a long journey from the west coast, Rapido New Look Bus 1029 finally arrived home this week. Here are two recent photos. Look for another update soon!
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- HO Scale Canadian National Hawker Siddeley Van
- HO Scale Magor 54' DODX Flatcar
- HO Scale M60A1 Tank and 5-inch/54-Caliber Mark 42 Gun Mount
- HO Scale Procor GP20 Tank Car
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HO Scale Canadian National Hawker Siddeley Van
Van aficionados! This month we take one more look at the important Canadian National Hawker Siddeley Van. This is an essential Van for CN modellers across Canada. Have a look at the video above (or click here) and images below to see why you need this model for your layout! This project is production-ready, so make sure you have your orders in by September 16th.
| Super interior and exterior details! Please note the rivets have yet to be added. | The Hawker Siddeley Van catalogue is available in PDF form. You can download that below as well as order the Vans. | |
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HO Scale Magor 54' DODX Flatcar
Our HO Scale 54' Magor Flatcar have been a huge hit since we announced them last spring. These flatcars nicely fill a gap for military modelers with their high-end detail and multiple truck variations. We are closing out the ordering period to send them off to production, so make sure to get your orders in by September 16th. Find out more in the video above or by clicking here.
Don't forget, we have the HO Scale M60A1 Tank and the 5-inch/54-Caliber Mark 42 Gun Mount loads that complement these cars!
| Click below to open the PDF catalog or to order these much talked about flatcars. | |
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HO Scale M60A1 Tank and 5-inch/54-Caliber Mark 42 Gun Mount
The HO Scale M60A1 Tank and the 5-inch/54-Caliber Mark 42 Gun Mount is just what you need to perfect your HO Scale Magor 54' DODX Flatcars! The tanks will fit nicely in pairs or go for the impressive 5-inch/54-Caliber Mark 42 Gun Mount. In fact, get them both! But remember, the ordering period closes out soon. Did you miss the video in the DODX flatcar section? That's OK, watch it again by clicking here or the photo above.
Below we have 3D printed samples! Just a reminder that the samples may have some minor printing flaws and details which will not be present for final production. Please note that these loads are sold separately — flat car not included.
| Here is the M60A1 Tank, looking superb on the flatcar. | These are the Gun Mount loads, which includes the boxes and the glass dome at the front. | |
Hammer time! No, not that hammer time, it's time to hammer the order button below. You can do that or open the catalog. | |
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HO Scale Procor GP20 Tank Car
Need tanks? The HO Scale GP20 Tank Car is the perfect car to add to your fleet. Don't blink, the order deadline is just around the corner. Click here or the photo above to take a look at the features of the GP20 tank car in a video featuring Jordan.
Order below or take a look at the catalogue.
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- HO Scale Toronto's First Subway — Final Deadline 💀
- HO Scale Canadian National Track Geometry Vehicle 1501 — Conditional Deadline 👻
- N Scale Metra F40PHM-2 Locomotive — Conditional Deadline 👻
- N Scale Budd Gallery Cars — Conditional Deadline 👻
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HO Scale Toronto's First Subway
The Toronto's First Subway is almost ready for production! This amazing project has been one of our most popular projects to date — more than we ever could have thought, which bodes very well for future subway models. With that said, we want to remind everyone that the final deadline for this project is set for October 15th.
Before we go any further, we have two very important updates for the Toronto's First Subway!
The first is the pricing for the DCC/sound version of the A-B-B-A car set, which has undergone a price increase. Please note all orders placed BEFORE September 1st will not be affected by the price increase.
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Update number two: do you like the smell of brake shoe dust? Great news, St. Clair Station display will now also be available separately! This item will be a great addition if you want to create a prototypical-sized St. Clair Station scene, or perhaps create multiple stations. You may even want to display it without the cars, but with passenger figures milling about on the platform. Either way, we're sure this item won't last long, so make sure you preorder it now! | |
Now, let's take a look at those awesome looking early samples we have. We simply cannot wait for the Toronto's First Subway to hit the production line as they just look so good! Please note that the tracks extend beyond the platform to be easily integrated into your layouts at home. Track extension is not shown on the render. | |
Lots of details on these cars! Please note in the photo below, the car is missing the front ladders. They will be there for production! | |
The front is highly detailed, as is the underframe. | |
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Each Toronto's First Subway Car feature:
- Design created from original factory drawings and field measurements
- Fully detailed interiors including seats, hand holds and lighting
- Working lights: interior, front and rear marker lights and destination sign
- Fully detailed underbodies
- Wire grab irons
- DC/DCC ready or DCC/Sound (Display models are unpowered)
- Display models include lighting powered by an included 12V DC power supply
We also offer a two car unpowered set WITH the original St. Clair Station platform and a bit of TTC-inspired trackwork. For this image, we used the decorated 3D CAD art, which we think just looks great.
| Calling all orders! The train is soon to leave the station, so don't miss out. Order below or open the Toronto's First Subway catalogue. | |
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HO Scale Canadian National Track Geometry Vehicle 1501
When we announced the Canadian National 1501, we weren't sure what the response would be. So far this RDC is doing pretty good, but let's push that even further! This is the one month warning for the conditional order deadline on October 15th. Remember, you don't need to be a CN modeller to own one of these, as the real 1501 has been seen all across North America, including regional and short line railroads!
Order below and check out the mini catalogue.
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N Scale F40PHM-2 Locomotive
Not all of us were skeptical about the N scale response to the F40PHM-2 Locomotives! In fact, many of us here are really pulling for this project to be a big success — and so far the future looks great!
Be sure to take advantage of that 5% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT, which ends on October 15th. Let's show Jason that N scalers do really want more models!
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The N Scale F40PHM-2 might be small, but it packs a punch. Here are the features of this glorious locomotive:
- Correct “Winnebago” style front
- Dual rooftop air conditioners
- Working head lights, marker lights and backup light
- Working Gyralite
- Working ditch lights
- Separate, factory-applied wire grab irons
- PTC Antenna Array where appropriate
- Full cab interior
- Accurate fuel tank profile and exhaust silencer
- Correct pilot plow or snow plow per model
- Sound-equipped models feature a custom ESU LokSound V5 decoder
- Will operate smoothly on DC and DCC layouts
And now the most important part: the paint schemes. Check them out below.
(Note: This is based on modified HO art with the addition of N scale couplers. Artwork is subject to change upon final production.)
|  | We're hoping to have some 3D CAD renders to show off before October 15. The factory is working hard to get us a chance at that. Until then, keep alert for any updates on our Facebook or next month's newsletter. OK, now you can go look at the catalog and order those F40PHM-2s. | |
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N Scale Budd Gallery Cars
Psst, N scalers: you're pushing the needle closer to reality. A little birdy told me that the N Scale Budd Gallery Car orders are very strong, but the work isn't over yet! You still have about a month left to get your orders in to take advantage of the 5% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT, which ends on October 15th.
Just like the F40PHM-2, we're pushing for 3D CAD renders to show before the conditional deadline. Hopefully we get them sooner, so keep tabs on our Facebook or next month's newsletter. Until then, here's some pretty action shots of the real thing.
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Those N Scale Rapido Budd Gallery Car features:
- Designed from original blueprints, design drawings and field measurements
- Available as 3-pack sets and single coaches (Randomly selected road number)
- Track-powered flicker-free interior lighting compatible with DC and DCC layouts
- Full underbody including HEP conduit and equipment
- Complete interior including actual “gallery” seating
- Accurate painting and lettering
- Correctly colored tinted windows
- Constant flicker-free interior lighting in both DC and DCC.
- Controllable cab car lighting in both DC and DCC
Here are the schemes for the N Gallery Cars. They're split into cab car and coach sets. First up is the cab car set.
(Note: This is based on modified HO art with the addition of N scale couplers. Artwork is subject to change upon final production.)
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Next is the three-pack coach set. You'll note that Metra-BNSF Railway has two varieties of nameboards: BNSF Railway and Burlington. | Time to scroll through the catalog and order MANY Gallery Cars! | |
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Rapido (Was) Live with Trainworld
Rapido went live with Trainworld a few weeks ago. In case you missed it, Jason, Jordan, Jeff, Bill, along with Trainworld's own, Ken Bianco Jr, discussed new announcements, current models in tooling and more. Watch it by clicking here or on the photo above. We want to thank Ken and Trainworld for having us on! We're looking forward to the next time.
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NHRTHA Train Show and Reunion — September 14th
Come visit the annual New Haven Railroad Historical and Technical Association's 2024 Reunion at the Valley Railroad in Essex, Connecticut. Bill will have our exquisite New Haven models on display as well as answer any of your questions, New Haven related or not! We also just might have a new, New Haven related model to announce. You'll just have to come visit to find out!
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Rapido Meet-and-Greet — September 20th
Head on over to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, in Greeley, Colorado, to check out some exciting new product announcements and a chance to meet Project Manager Dan Darnell and Manager of Artwork and Decoration (MAD...?) Josh Anderchek. They'll be there from 12PM to 4PM.
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Colorado Rail Prototype Modelers — September 21st
Hey! Want to help support a new show? Check out the first inaugural Colorado Rail Prototype Modelers Meet, located in Greeley, Colorado. We'll have a selection of sample models on display and you can ask your pressing questions to Josh and Dan, who will be representing Rapido. We are super excited to be attending the first-ever show! Hope to see you there.
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Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items will be arriving soon!
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Beauties! The F40PHM-2 pre-production samples look superb! | |
The CB&Q heritage F40PHM-2 looks great against the Chicago suburbs. The blue scheme looks dazzling with the cars! | |
The iconic Chicago barricade stripes! | |
Check out the BN Gallery Cars. They look great with sunlight bouncing off of them. | |
Surprise! The BART car production samples just arrived and Jeff just photographed them. They look awesome! | |
The BART A and C cars look right at home on Jeff's diorama. | |
Here come the C30-7s! New samples just arrived, but like the other samples, please note that some are missing parts. These will be fixed upon final production. | |
Union Pacific C30-7s were a staple of 1980s railroading. We cannot wait to see these hauling a train. | |
Cascade Green never looked so good! Are you ready t run your Burlington Northern C30-7s on a Powder River coal train? | |
Here is the Hudson with the elephant ears. It looks spiffy. | |
2816 in a prior scheme. Along with 2810's cab. | |
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OK students, pencils down! that's it for September's FIRST newsletter. Look for an encore in a few weeks that will include new announcements and updates!
Until then, keep modeling.
Bobbert Allard
Newsletter Reporter
Rapido World News Channel
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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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