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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 194
©2024 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
Spooky season is in full swing, but don't be frightened — the Mystery Box is back early this year to keep your spirits up! And don't forget the Great Pumpkin is on his way with these important order deadlines. They're here to bring you lots of treats and surprises! If you are reading this in November, the Great Pumpkin once again failed to show up so maybe you'll see him soon. So, without further ado, let's start the show.
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In this 194th issue...
- The Rapido Mystery Box Returns!
- Rock Island E-Unit Number Change
- Rapido's 20th Anniversary Celebration
- November Order Deadlines
- December Order Deadlines
- New Videos
- Upcoming Shows
- New Updates
- VIA Historical Association — Update
- More Vintage VIA Swag
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, pre-production samples and artwork are subject to change before the final product release.
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The Rapido Mystery Box Returns!
This year's mystery box is bigger and better than before! As with previous years, you are guaranteed a sound-equipped HO scale locomotive, at least one other piece of HO scale rolling stock, a Rapido Christmas ornament, Rapido's delicious sea salt dark chocolate, and the possibility of other goodies like our brand new Rapido toques (beanies for you Americans) and other Rapido swag! We promise that whatever you get, it will be worth WAY MORE than the premium purchase price. And they're great to order and stock up as gifts for any time of year — not just Christmas!
Not only that, depending on whether you're ordering from the U.S. or Canada, we'll make sure you receive nationally appropriate road names! If you'd like otherwise, please specify in your order or by emailing us with your order number. We are limited by our stock, so we will approach this on a first come, first served basis.
Definitely take a chance and order your Christmas Mystery Box today for yourself or the model railroader in your life. Order by December 16th, 2024 to receive it by Christmas.
Side effects may include purchasing more model trains or an addiction to Rapido's dark chocolate.
Disclaimer #1: We will be shipping out the boxes as of November 11th, 2024, as the toques are just arriving next week. Boxes will be shipped out in the order they are received. Box arrival is subject to your local shipping times and delays.
Disclaimer #2: Please note that while we should have enough stock to include a sound-equipped locomotive or train with every mystery box, there is always the slim chance that we will completely run out of sound-equipped models. If we run out, we will substitute a DC/silent locomotive and/or rolling stock of equal or greater value than a sound-equipped locomotive. You can rest assured that whatever’s inside will be worth the premium price! No warranties implied or otherwise offered.
Disclaimer #3: There is no Disclaimer #3.
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Rock Island E-Unit Number Change
Due to a reassessment of the road numbers selected, the HO Scale Rock Island E-Units have undergone a number change to avoid overlapping into the RI HEP E-Units. Below is a quick summary of the road number changes with their corresponding item numbers:
DC/Silent: 28092 / DCC/Sound: 28592 — originally #660 is now #650
DC/Silent: 28093 / DCC/Sound: 28593 — originally #661 is now #658
Please note the changes to these locomotives. Rest assured, we have the RI HEP units on our radar for a future run!
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Here's 648 which is the one roadnumber that isn't changing.
Photo by K. C. Henkels, courtesy of the Kevin EuDaly collection.
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Rapido’s 20th Anniversary Celebration — November 12th
Our 20th anniversary is coming up in the next two weeks! To celebrate, we'll be hosting a free day at the Halton County Radial Railway Museum with most of the Rapido team, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. That's on November 12, 2024.
We will be recording sounds from the preserved Toronto Gloucester subway cars, tootling around in one of our GM Fishbowl buses, riding streetcars, serving snacks, showing off our latest and greatest projects, and giving away some neat merch to celebrate our 20th anniversary!
If you are planning to attend, please send an email to trains@rapidotrains.com with subject line Anniversary Event. We'll be bringing snacks and other treats and want to make sure everyone has enough.
We will be doing a Facebook Live Stream from the event. Exact time to be determined. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you don't miss it!
No update yet on the "Ride the Rapido" charter to take place in 2025. We're still working on this, so you can expect to see updates early next year.
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Trains.com Insider Exclusive — Founder, Jason Shron, Reflects On 20 Years of Rapido Trains Inc.
This past summer, Model Railroader magazine's Editor and Senior Editor, Eric White and Cody Grivno, interviewed Jason about the past 20 years at Rapido. Click here or above to see the article, which also has a neat video you can watch of the interview. It's more of a podcast, so good to listen to while driving or working on your layout.
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- HO Scale GP40 and Slug — Final Deadline
- N Scale Budd RDC — Final Deadline
- N Scale F59PH Locomotive — Conditional Deadline
- N Scale Bilevel Cars — Conditional Deadline
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HO Scale GP40 and Slug
The HO Scale GP40 and Slug is just a few weeks away from the November 15th order deadline. That means it's time to start making sure all of your orders are checked and submitted!
In the meantime, we have a new video for you! To watch it, click here or in the box above. Below are some of the pre-production samples we have of these neat-o locomotives and slug. (Ed: Why am I getting thirsty for Slug-o-Cola right now?) We're super excited about the slug! (Ed: How about some Jellied gree-worm?) Did you know that this is the first time this slug has been made in plastic? Now you can add more (motorized) power to your layout too!
(Ed: Gold star to anyone who recognizes the gross foods I mentioned!)
Can you please stop that? Moving on...
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Above is the MKT GP40 and Slug. Note the non-dynamic roof.
Below is the SSW GP40 with the full light package. Just out of sight is the roof-top bell.
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The CN version with the unique nose light and cab mounted bell above.
Jason really wanted 4016 and 4017 as they appeared in 1980, for some reason.
Below is the KCS version with the plated over nose light and cab roof strobe.
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The recently added KCS version will look right at home on any layout, since these roamed the mid-South regions, as well as the Midwest and the Eastern states, in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The finer details of the GP40 and Slug are amazing. Check out those Cannon & Company licensed radiator fans and blades. The different strobes, Strato-Lites and beacons are also flashy! There's simply too much to list, so we'll let the photos do the talking. (More below!)
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Those radiator blades look amazing!
The dynamic brake hatch with the access doors are a notable feature on the IC GP40s.
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The rear of the WP version has the neat bulb reflector headlight. Note, the pan top fan etch grate were applied upside down and will be revised for production. Additionally, the MU holders will not be on the WP models. Another view of the fans as well as all of the etched metal details. | |
Let's see those HO Scale GP40 Locomotive schemes once more. Leading off are the newly added KCS and NREX versions. Following that are the rest of the GP40 schemes and slugs. | As you can see, the GP40 and Slugs have tons of paint schemes and variations to pick from. You can order them below or through your favorite dealer. | |
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N Scale Budd RDCs
N Scale RDC fans, the November 15th order deadline is just two weeks away! We're in the final stretch to guarantee your orders and we can tell you that these are not going to be on the shelf for long. You definitely don't want to miss out on reserving yours today. If you need more convincing or just want to see an update on the RDCs, check out the new video by clicking here or watching above.
Note: We have several tooling revisions in the works, which will be applied before production begins.
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The RDC Phase II above with the signature small front windows.
The SP Phase I version below has those iconic train number boards.
| Flush-fitting windows that are probably cleaner than the real ones were! | We're excited to see this project head to production, so make sure you have those orders checked and ready! We know Jeremy is ready for these to hit his layout in the near future. | |
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N Scale F59PH Locomotive
STOP THE PRESS! The N Scale F59PH Locomotive STILL needs a bit of a push ahead of the November 15th conditional order deadline. Now, we know this project should be a big hit, but in order to ensure the tooling phase begins, we need as many orders as possible now. Remember, if you order BEFORE November 15th, you still qualify for the 5% early bird discount. This applies to all dealer or direct orders!
With that said, we really want to see these get approved and see a tooled sample in the near future! Please remember, this is the first time these commuter locomotives are being offered in N scale. Enjoy the render of the GO and Metrolink F59PHs above. As a reminder below are the F59PH schemes.
| Lots of American and Canadian schemes to pick from! You can order all of those below. | |
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N Scale Bilevel Commuter Cars
STOP THE PRESSES (again)! Just like the F59PH, the N Scale Bilevel Commuter Cars needs that extra push as well. We know these have been done before in N scale, but not to this level of detail, smooth rolling abilities and full lighting effects. And our cars will actually ROLL.
We want to make Jeremy's year by getting these cars into production. You'll still receive a 5% early bird discount if you order by November 15th. We know you can make this happen!
| Also like the F59PH, lots of schemes that match the locos to pick from. Even commuter agencies that never had the F59PHs! 😉 Order the N Bilevel Cars below. | |
- HO Scale FT Locomotive — Final Deadline
- HO Scale E-Units — Final Deadline
- HO Scale DRGW Steel Riveted Caboose — Final Deadline
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HO Scale EMD FT Locomotive
The FT Locomotive finally has an order deadline set for December 16th, which is just over one month away. We should be receiving updated samples in a few weeks, which feature the changes to the side grilles that the original samples did not have, along with rivets and stuff. Until then, we have those original samples that show the close coupling system and all of those neat FT features.
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Those FAT etched grilles are early samples and will be refined for production.
The close coupling looks excellent! Note how close the units are to each other.
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The Rapido’s FT Locomotive features:
- * Close-coupling system for great appearance on straights and curves
- * Drawbar or coupler connections between A and B units
- * Multiple styles of number boards, installed as appropriate
- Correct nose and windshield contours
- Three styles of dynamic brake hatch, installed as appropriate
- Steam generator hatch installed as appropriate
- Etched side and fan screens
- Heavy, die-cast chassis
- 5-pole motor with dual flywheels
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* Working headlights, ground lights, number boards and back-up lights
- * Full underbody details including piping and draft gear
- Separate grab irons and handrails
- * Numerous road-specific details
- * Full, multi-color interior
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound) options
- Accurate sounds
* For the first time ever in plastic!
Below are the schemes on the initial offering. Note all those neat oddball numberboards! And note the Santa Fe couplers - those cost us a mint!
|  | Order those FT Locomotives today! You can do so by clicking the button below. | |
The famous Rock Island Bicentennial E-Unit. Photo by Ray Cook, courtesy of the Kevin EuDaly collection. | |
HO Scale E-Units
Our popular Rapido E-Units are closing out their order deadline on December 16th. These are already doing very well, so take the next month to reserve your order and don't miss out on these new schemes. We're expecting this run to be another quick seller!
Don't forget the Rock Island E-Unit number change featured in the top section. In case you missed it, the photo below shows the new road numbers. Below that, we have a few prototype photos of the schemes we are doing.
| Note the road number changes. This is to avoid the HEP units... for now. 😉 | SP 6050 looks awesome in the bloody nose scheme. Photo courtesy of Bob Zenk. | |
The Rapido E-Unit model features:
- E8A, E8B and E9A models offered
- 3D laser-scanned body shell
- Accurate nose and roof contours
- Seven different noses
- Three different back ends
- Two different nose sides – with and without lifting lug covers
- Three different steam generator options
- 36” fan, 48” fan or non-dynamic brake options
- Single- or dual-headlight configurations
- Freight or passenger pilots
- Three styles of side grilles
- Original porthole sides or rebuilt blanked sides (including unique variations)
- Skirted or non-skirted fuel tanks
- Original square, sloped or Hyatt roller bearing journal boxes
- Heavy die-cast chassis
- Smooth running drive system with all wheels powered
- Complete lighting effects – headlights, class lights, backup lights, ground lights, cab lights and more
- Numerous road-specific detail parts in both plastic and etched metal
- Correct Santa Fe E8M truck sideframes!
- Accurate E8 locomotives sounds by ESU LokSound
- MoPower capacitor
OK, that was a lot of typing... Below are the schemes for this run.
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The HO Scale E-Units are the locomotives that have nine lives and then some! You can also order the E-Units below. | |
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HO Scale Denver & Rio Grande Western Steel Riveted Caboose
The HO Scale Denver & Rio Grande Western 01400 Series Steel Riveted Caboose already has a deadline of December 16th - we announced that when we launched it. Please make sure you have all of your orders accounted for, as this is going to be one popular caboose!
Here are a few photos of the early samples we have. We're super excited to see this caboose go into production soon! The factory is fixing the window dimensions. (We were a bit off, and none of us caught it - including our experts!) That should be done in time for the order deadline and then we will start injecting the shells for production.
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Here's a later modernized version with roller bearings and the thermo pane windows.
Note the DRGW-style marker and "EOT" lights. And, by the way, they work too!
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Here are those neat-o Rapido D&RGW Steel Riveted Caboose features:
- Super-detailed underbody including all separate air and brake piping
- Etched metal road numbers included in polybag
- Full interior lighting
- Operating EOT and marker lights on late modernized cabooses
- All-wheel electrical pickup
- Barber-Bettendorf trucks with friction or roller bearings where appropriate
- See-through, etched metal steps and walkways
- Full end detail, including uncoupling levers
- Separate grab irons installed at factory
- Metal knuckle couplers mounted at correct height
And of course we can't forget the schemes! Who'd have thought one railroad would have so many? Looking for a scheme you don't see or possibly an exclusive road number? If you are part of a museum, historical society, club or dealer/store, contact us here for more information on exclusive runs and how to order yours.
|  | Are you feeling that Rocky Mountain High? If so, it's time to get those orders in for the D&RGW cabooses! You can do so below along with downloading the PDF catalog. | |
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October Launches
Here's our October launch video... just a few days late! We were so busy getting everything ready, we weren't able to get this video out for the last newsletter. But it was worth the wait, as Jeremy and Jordan guide you through all the exciting October launches. Click here or above to watch.
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HO Scale HEP E-Units
The long wait is over for our first run of HO Scale HEP E-Units! Click here or the photo above to watch a rather colorful video with Jason and Jordan running their usual shenanigans... along with an actual serious review of the HEP E-Units. Hopefully Jason is OK after being clocked with a light fixture box... twice.
JASON: I am not.
BOBBY: I don't care. It was really funny! Especially when he hit you with the steel chair! Hilarious!
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HO Scale Bilevel Unboxing
The latest run of HO Scale Bilevels are finally here! Watch Jordan (with a cameo from Jeremy) discuss all of the finer points of these commuter cars. Click here to watch or in the picture window above.
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Trainfest — November 23rd and 24th
After a year off, Trainfest returns! This year it'll be bigger and better than ever. Come down to the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee, on November 23rd and the 24th. We'll have tons of samples and maybe some surprises on display. Look out for Lystra, Dan, Jeff and Jordan. See you then!
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Rapido Live! — Tuesday, November 26th at 7PM Eastern
The next Rapido Live! (after our anniversary event) features Jordan and Bill with special guests Tony Cook and Otto Vondrak. They'll be discussing all things Rapido and anything else they can think of... which sometimes really is ANYTHING! You can watch on our Facebook live, but if you happen to miss it, the replay will be uploaded to our YouTube a few days later. See you then!
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Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items will be arriving soon!
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The Turbos are near! We're hoping for a late 2024 arrival for the UAC Turbos. In the meantime, check out these production samples we received. | |
The classic nose of the UAC Turbo, on the neat early Amtrak, 3-car set that toured the U.S. in 1971. This is a Heartland exclusive, so make sure to contact your dealer to see if they can get one for you. | We weren't able to get a physical sample just yet, but here is the art for the Otter Valley VIA-CN exclusive Turbo Train. It is available as a 5-car set and 4-car add-on set. Order yours today! | CalTrain above and Altamont Commuter Express below. | |
Metro-North Shoreliner seats!
And here's a surprise, a first look of the H16-44 locomotives in the production phase.
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Norfolk Southern Camp Cars above.
The M60A1 Tank. This is an early sample and is still being refined for production.
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Next up we have an update from Jason about the the VIA Historical Association's FP9A # 6539, as well as the Kingston Sub's official swag page! Take it away, Jason.
JASON: Thanks, Bobby!
I'd like to give you a quick update on a couple of things I've been working on.
VIA Historical Association
The painting of our FP9A #6539 is finished! Thanks to the Ontario Southland Railway for generously and meticulously doing such an amazing job on this locomotive, only the second FP9A in preservation to be painted in VIA colours, anywhere in the world.
I can't speak highly enough of OSR, specifically Vice President Kimberley Willsie and President Brad Joliffe, for their ongoing support of railway history and preservation in Canada. The VHA owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to this fine organization. OSR provided a craftsman-quality VIA paint job (beautifully completed by OSR employee Bob Merriam) for a price that matched our budget.
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6539 (ex-6303, exx-6539) is only the second FP9A locomotive restored to VIA colours.
The locomotive was painted by Ontario Southland employee Bob Merriam.
Photo by Glenn Courtney.
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6539 poses with, from left to right:
Glenn Courtney, Chris Greenlaw and Jason Shron (from VHA)
Kimberley Willsie, Brad Joliffe and Bob Merriam (from OSR)
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The VHA still needs your help to cover the costs of moving 6539 to VIA's Toronto Maintenance Centre, as well as regular maintenance expenses. Please click here to make a contribution. Any amount, no matter how small, will help our efforts.
If you would like to make a large donation please reply to this email with the subject "Large VHA Donation" and I will follow up with you. Donations from the USA over $1000 can get a US tax receipt. Please contact me for more info.
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6539 poses with sister unit 1401 outside the OSR shop.
The beautiful contours of the GMD/EMD F-unit nose have not been improved upon in 80 years.
Photo by Glenn Courtney.
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More VIA (and Other Railway) Swag
I love graphic t-shirts, and for many years I've bought most of my t-shirts from Redbubble, a website which allows artists to share their own work for printing on all sorts of swag by the company's subcontractors around the world. It's not just t-shirts, but also includes phone cases, art prints, hats and more.
| A variety of designs and formats on my Redbubble page. | |
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I've created a Kingston Sub Redbubble page where I've shared a bunch of vintage VIA, CN and GO art. You can click on any design and see all the different media; for example if it shows a notebook you can click on it and see the t-shirts, prints, etc.
In addition to what's on there now, I'll be uploading a lot more art in the coming weeks. If you love vintage Canadian passenger trains like I do, you will probably find something there that you like.
| So many ways to get this cool vintage VIA graphic! | |
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As my friend Steve Boyko aptly told me the other day, he earns "tens of dollars a year" from his Redbubble account. From the dozens of items I've sold so far, I think I have earned about a dozen dollars. I want to share these vintage designs with all of you mainly because I want to increase the amount of vintage Canadian train stuff in the world.
Click here to visit my page.
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Thanks Jason for the insights into Redbubble!
We'll be back later in November with more exciting news and maybe some surprises. You'll just have to wait to find out!
Bobby 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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