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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 195
©2024 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
The show rolls on! We're super excited to bring you a ton of new announcements in BOTH scales! Yes, you heard correctly: HO AND N both get exciting new items this month! So, no holding back, let's get right to it.
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In this 195th issue...
- The Rapido Mystery Box
- In Stock Announcements
- New Product Announcements
- New Videos
- Upcoming Shows
- New Updates
- Rapido 20th Anniversary Event Recap
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
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! Everything is "while supplies last" so get your orders in ASAP!
While what you receive in these boxes is usually a mystery, we couldn't help but share some of the unboxings we've already seen in the wild below!
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Check out Keegan! He's a our newest Rapido model, sporting the hat you'll get in each Mystery Box, while supplies last. | |
YouTuber ravenhawk6910 has a nice video showing off his box he received. You can watch it by clicking here or the photo above. | Diesel Elevators also posted a video showing off his Rapido "Myster Box." Check it out by clicking here or the photo above. By the way, no, we didn't send the cat. | |
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As you can see, it is definitely worth taking a chance and ordering your Christmas Mystery Box today for yourself or the model railroader in your life (or ask the Santa in your life nicely).
Get your order in now, as quantities are limited!
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ALL-NEW In Stock Items — Order Now! | |
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NEW AND IN STOCK! HO Scale MLW FPA-4 Locomotive
The famous Rapido HO Scale MLW FPA-4 and FPB-4 Locomotives are back! This surprise run will be the last FPA-4 runs for a long time. It's been nine years since the last run! It consists of four roadnumber sets for Canadian National and two roadnumbers of the unique VIA with blue nose logo FPA-2u and FPA-4. Click here or the photo above to watch the new FPA video!
But don't wait too long, these units are IN STOCK and are shipping now! Quantities are limited so make sure to place your orders today while supplies last!
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The FPA-4 was Montreal Locomotive Works' answer to GMDs FP9A series of passenger diesel locomotives in the late 1950s. An evolution of the earlier FPA-2, these units were powered by an ALCO 12-cylinder 251 prime mover. CN ordered 34 A-units and 12 B-units, which were delivered between 1958 and 1959. These would hold down many of CN’s eastern passenger runs, right on up to the creation of VIA Rail in 1977. VIA would keep most of these venerable locomotives in service until 1989, when they were withdrawn to comply with new federal regulations.
In this release, the VIA “blue logo” FPA-2 and FPA-4 diesels can be purchased separately with the CN 1961 scheme in A+B sets.
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Here's the Rapido HO Scale FPA-4 and FPB-4 features:
- Operating headlights, class lights and back-up lights
- Canadian-cast Dofasco Type B trucks
- Full underbody piping and conduit
- Separate grab irons and handrails
- Correct MLW-specific large-capacity fuel tanks
- Heavy, die-cast chassis
- Rapido’s improved 5-pole motor with dual flywheels
- Full, multi-colour interior
- DC/DCC/Sound - ESU LokSound V5
- 18" minimum radius
The FPA artwork is below. Please note that the VIA 6758 is an FPA-2u.
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Contact your dealer ASAP or click on the button below to order direct. These have been produced in very small quantities! | |
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NEW AND IN STOCK! HO Scale USRA Double-Sheathed Wood Boxcar
The HO Scale USRA Double-Sheathed Wood Boxcars make a grand return with 11 new paint schemes and an unlettered option! These cars fill a need for a state-of-the-art model of this common car on any transition-era or earlier period layout. So, let's get right to the history of the car. Below are production samples — the exact cars are available for order, RIGHT NOW!
Please note, we have VERY LIMITED stock of these cars! Once they're gone...THEY'RE GONE!
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The TH&B cars above and the neat NWP scheme, below. | |
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During World War I the US railroads were struggling to keep up with wartime traffic, in part because of a shortage of serviceable freight cars. In an attempt to solve this problem, President Wilson nationalized the railroads under the United States Railway Administration, or USRA. One of the first tasks assigned to the USRA was to develop common designs for new freight cars. Among these was a 40’ double-sheathed wood boxcar with a fishbelly steel underframe.
Starting in 1918, nearly 25,000 copies of the double-sheathed boxcar were built and delivered to 24 railroads throughout the country. The cars were well received, and many cars continued in regular service on many roads into the 1950s with many updated to the newer AB-brake system.
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The classic GN scheme and the differences of the brake rigging underbodies. | |
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The HO Scale USRA Double-Sheathed Boxcar features:
- Accurate tooling
- Correct details including roof and handbrake
- KC or AB brakes as appropriate*
- Full underbody with separate brake rods and piping
- Accurate decoration
- Fully decorated and assembled
- Factory-installed metal magnetic couplers
- USRA Andrews trucks with in-line brake shoes
- Blackened turned-metal wheels
- Available in singles or multi-packs, packs boxed for individual sale.
- 18" minimum radius
* Cars are equipped with brake gear based on photos. However, because brake equipment was not updated all at once we will include the other style of brake gear in the box when appropriate.
Here are the schemes!
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The best part about these cars? They're ready to be purchased NOW! Please order these ASAP from your favorite hobby shop or click on the button below to order direct! | |
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NEW AND IN STOCK! HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. CP Mechanical Reefer
The HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. CP Mechanical Reefer return with all-new road numbers! And this time they come equipped with sound modules and speakers, which means less work and more layout time for you!
Check out some of the models we photographed from this run below. And remember, these have limited stock, so make sure to place your orders NOW!
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The classic look of the CP NSC reefers. | |
The majority of the NSC 3294 cu.ft Mechanical Reefers retained their CP Rail “Red Script” schemes through their entire service lives, while some were repainted into the classic CP Rail Multimark. Many of these cars lasted through to 2002. As mentioned earlier, some of these NSC reefers were repainted into CP's Multimark scheme. Others just received new wheel stencils and COTS blocks. We've got that all covered! | |
The script logo above and the Multimark repaint scheme below. | |
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The HO Scale NSC 3294 cu.ft. CP Mechanical Reefer features:
- Now equipped with sound modules and speakers!
- All new roadnumbers!
- 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
- 18" minimum radius
Three schemes are available. You can see them below.
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These reefers won't last long! Get yours today by ordering them below. Seriously, folks - we only made a few dozen pieces per road number! | |
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NEW NUMBERS AND SCHEMES! HO Scale NSC Ballast Hopper
The HO Scale NSC Ballast Hopper is back and it brings you new roadnumbers and TWO NEW schemes!
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The CSX MOW orange scheme and the highly detailed underbody.
Do our competitors' ballast cars have this much detail? You decide!
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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.
| At work on the Kingston Sub in 1998. Photos courtesy of Jason. | |
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 (Single cars selected from multi-packs)
- 18" minimum radius
Check out the many schemes we will be offering on this run below. In addition to the two new schemes, we even included three generic colors for you to make into your freelance road or another railroad that used those colors!
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Ready to order the HO Scale Ballast Hoppers? You can do so by speaking to your dealer or clicking the buttons below. The order deadline is February 17th! These will have a quick turnaround and will arrive just a few months later.
Did you miss our first run and consequently order similar cars from our competitors? It's time to cancel that order and get The Real Thing. Never Give Up! Never Surrender! Accept No Substitutions for the Real Rapido Deal!
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BRAND NEW MODEL! N Scale Greenbrier 72' IL 7780 Reefer
We've heard the requests and now we are excited to offer the Greenbrier 72' IL 7780 Reefer in N Scale! Yes, N scalers, it's your day to shine!
It took a lot of work, but we were finally able to convince Jason to make this announcement NOT conditional, so N scalers, don't let us down! Please preorder your fleet today!
Below are the early 3D CAD renders, which are subject to revision before final production. They look phenomenal!
| The UP and the Cryo-Trans reefers. | As a reminder, for those who read about our HO scale version, the Greenbrier 72' IL 7780 Reefer has an impressive capacity of 7780 cu.ft., with a 72’ 3” interior length. This makes it a whopping 82' over the drawbars. The storage capacity is massive and shippers take full advantage of this feature, shipping items such as light or bulky frozen and perishable items. | Note all of the amazing detail... on an N scale model! | |
Now, for those N Scale Reefer features:
- Cryo-Trans body style
- UP-specific body style for UP
- Two UP paint and lettering styles
- Two Cryo-Trans paint and lettering styles
- Separately applied cut levers and end platform
- Etched metal grate on end platforms
- Underbody brake rigging
- Separately applied door latch mechanism
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Available in single car name selections for Cryo-Trans and Lineage
- Available in singles or multi-packs
And the best part; the schemes!
| Prove Jason wrong and order MANY of the new N Scale Greenbrier Reefers! You can do so by talking to your favorite hobby shop or clicking the button below. | |
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HO Scale Budd Gallery Cars
In this new video, Jordan discusses the very popular HO Scale Budd Gallery Cars. Click here or the photo above to watch. But don't dwindle too long; these are flying off of the shelves!
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HO Scale USRA and AAR Boxcars
It's the Ted Talk! Project Manager Ted C. discusses the USRA Double Sheathed and the 1937 AAR Boxcars in this new video. And did you notice... Ted is the new Jeremy? Click here or the photo above to find out!
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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 and we're contributing to the fun. Come down to the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee, on November 23rd and the 24th, which is tomorrow! We'll have tons of samples and smiles to display.
Actually, we might just have smiles and a couple of samples. As of now, FedEx has had our booth and samples at their Toronto-area storage facility for seven days. The chances of our stuff arriving in Milwaukee before tomorrow morning are about as good as Montreal winning the Stanley Cup this year.
JASON: You. Are. Fired.
BOBBY: The Leafs, I meant the Leafs.
JASON: Oh, OK then.
BOBBY: Phew! (pulls toque over face)
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Rapido Live! — November 26th, 7:30PM
Calling all Rapido fans! Jordan and Bill will be hosting a live stream November 26 at 7:30PM with special guests: Tony Cook and Otto Vondrak from White River Productions. Come join them for a night of Rapido model discussion that will most likely warp into a wild discussion about anything! You won't want to miss the back-and-forth between them.
Join in on our Facebook page. If you happen to miss it, you can always re-watch it later via Facebook or when we upload the video to our YouTube.
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LIVE! Around the Layout Giveaway — December 6th, 7:00PM
Join Paul Cassar and Ray Arnott live on the famous Around the Layout podcast live, as they celebrate the holiday season with a special giveaway!
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Cocoa Beach Prototype Meet — January 9th - 11th, 2025
In early January we'll be at the Prototype Rails RPM at sunny Cocoa Beach, Florida. Grab your sunscreen and join Bill on January 9th through the 11th. Check out the many new samples on display – that didn't make it to Milwaukee! – and have your pressing questions answered.
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2025 Railroad Hobby Show - Springfield 2025
The annual Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show is back and will take place on January 25th and the 26th in West Springfield, Massachusetts. We will display nearly every sample we have and you can have a friendly conversation with our Project Managers. We look forward to seeing you there!
And we're bringing the samples with us in a van so FedEx won't sit on them for a week!
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Southern Pacific 44-Tonner Update
During our research for our HO scale Southern Pacific GE 44-Tonner locomotives, a color was suggested for the orange that was felt to be correct for the prototype locomotives. Upon release, it became apparent that this was too yellow and incorrect.
First off, we want to apologize to the customers who reached out to us by email. Our response time was not up to the standards our customers have come to expect from Rapido and we are taking steps to ensure this does not happen again.
Secondly, after discussions with the factory we have decided to produce a run of replacement shells alongside the new release of 44-ton models which will be coming mid-2025. These will be produced with an updated Daylight orange color chosen with the assistance of SP modelling experts. This updated color will also apply to the recently announced Pacific Electric models.
To get on the list for these replacements, please send an email with the subject line "SP 44-Tonner Shell" to trains@rapidotrains.com and include a photo of the box end label or proof of purchase along with your mailing address. Once these arrive, we will send them out at no charge, and you can keep your old SP 44-Tonner shell too. You will have to do the shell swap yourself; we will provide instructions on how to do this.
Again, we apologize both for the error and for the delay in getting this information out.
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Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items will be arriving soon!
Please note that the West Coast port strike caused these shipments to be delayed by a couple of weeks. The C30s and Bilevels were supposed to be here by now.
The F40PHM-2s were delayed waiting for a new decoder file, which has now been provided by ESU. They are leaving the factory next week along with the F30 Flatcars.
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The PFE R-40 Reefers are taking shape! | |
The MBTA and ConnDot Comets are well on their way through the production line. | |
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The installation of the piping and conduits on the Comet Cars looks intense!
At least the seats are easier!
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Rapido's 20th Anniversary Event Recap
On November 12th, Rapido hosted our special 20th anniversary event at the Halton County Radial Railway. This was such a special event that we even pulled in most of our American team members to come celebrate in Canada with us!
We kicked off the morning of the event with Jason, Tom Twigge and Chris Fox recording sounds from the Gloucester Subway cars, to be used on our model. After the sound recordings were completed, guests began to arrive for an afternoon of food, trolley rides, checking out the new and in stock products (including our teaser for the new CLRV, but more on that later!) and most importantly riding the G-cars!
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The famous Rapido 3380 Fishbowl Bus, getting ready to rocket off to Halton County. | At a traction museum... where of course the project managers have found and gravitated to the freight car. | |
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Guests were greeted by many of our friendly staff from the Customer Service team with giftbags. Outside the giftshop the Gloucester cars waited alongside one of the museum' CLRV streetcars. While the CLRV wasn't in service on this day, the museum brought outtheir TTC Peter Witt and PCC streetcars to transport our guests to another time.
Check out this video by YouTuber South Down Switching Layout. Click here or watch it below!
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The TTC Gloucester Cars next to the CLRV. A pretty sight, indeed!
(Unless you missed the train, like I did...)
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Both trolleys that were used for the day. We had our sample models and delicious cakes and other sna housed in the Rockwood Station next to them. | |
Guests who stuck around until 3 PM were lucky enough to pile into the Gloucester cars and ride them for the first time (or again) in around 34 years! These preserved cars have not run in 14 years! Luckily, YouTuber KangaRue caught the G-cars in action. Click here or watch them in motion below.
You might notice a certain Robert Allard not in the G cars in any of these videos. That is because I was told to watch the cake, not realizing that this meant I would miss the trip I have been dreaming about since my first time to Toronto back in the 1990s. But no hard feelings.
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Recording sounds is hard work! | |
By the time sound recording was over, the food truck (compliments of Rapido) had arrived and guests were lining up. In the museum's historic Rockwood Station, other members of the Rapido staff were happy to chat with guests and show off all of are samples on display. Did you see Dan Darnell's hand-painted sample of the Toronto's First Subway G-cars on its 1:87th St. Clair display? Pretty nifty. | The souvenir stubs from the 20th Anniversary event and the hand painted Toronto's First Subway sample. They look great! | Production models will have the rails extending right to the end for those of you who want to make a longer platform. | The bus doing MACH 10 down a side road. | Later on on, Jason and Josh took turns offering bus rides around the neighbourhood. Above is a photo of the bus barreling past Jordan (as usual)! Friends of Rapido and YouTubers Dundas Junction Model R.R. (James) and OrionVIII (David) managed to capture great footage of the event. Check out Dundas Junction Model R.R.'s by clicking here and OrionVIII's by clicking here. | The "G" cars sitting pretty at the end of the day. | |
And finally... Rapido will be sponsoring an exterior refresh of the Gloucester Cars so they can once again look like they have just been removed from service after a long and productive life working for the TTC. Jason has invited me back to Canada to sand and paint the cars myself as a token goodwill gesture. I told him what he could go sand and paint.
JASON: No comment.
BOBBY: About time, too.
And finally finally... we couldn't help but pad out this successful event with a lovely teaser of our upcoming HO scale CLRV project. It is still very much in its infancy and many updates and feature details are to come in early 2025. If you have any questions for us, I'd save it until the official launch!
| Check out the secret poster we had on display teasing the upcoming CLRV project. Click the button below to see it! Really - we can't show it to you unless you click the button! | |
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We cannot believe 20 years of Rapido is already in the books! We couldn't have done this without YOU! We held the event to celebrate you and thank you for the support over the years. We'd also like to sincerely thank the Halton County Radial Railway Museum and their many employees and volunteers who worked so hard to make this a truly exceptional day.
An especial thank you goes to Tom Twigge. He moved mountains to get the subway cars working and then spent an hour getting our bus working, which could not get into gear because of a rusted bracket. Tom, you are our hero and you will always have a home with the Rapido family.
Here's to 20 more years! Maybe I will finally get to ride a G-car then.
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And with that, we close out another newsletter. For everyone heading to Trainfest, enjoy the show! Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. We'll see you again in December to kick off the 25 days of Christmas.
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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