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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 204
©2025 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
Welcome to our April announcement newsletter! We have THREE items we're sure you'll be excited about plus an important update on the state of the industry.
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In this 204th issue...
- A Note for American Customers
- Update on Tariffs
- New Product Announcements
- Events and Shows
- Tooling, Factory and Shipping 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, pre-production samples and artwork are subject to change before the final product release.
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A Note for American Customers:
We are in the process of building a new US website. Until that is ready, the stock in our Buffalo warehouse is not shown on our website. If a new release is shown as sold out, please email our customer service team at trains@rapidotrains.com. We can check if it is actually in stock and, if so, we can assist you with placing the order. We expect our new US website to be operational in late April or early May.
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Update On Tariffs
We've heard some concerns about pricing of our products and the percentage of tariffs applied to them. For anything that arrived or was in stock before tariffs were introduced, we will not be retroactively increasing their prices. These products DID NOT have tariffs applied and therefore we WILL NOT charge any tariff cost. These prices are locked.
For products that arrived after tariffs were introduced, we will absorb 52% of the tariff that was applied at entry into North America. Most of the product that is shipping out currently only had a 10% tariff charge. For those products, American customers would only pay 4.8% of that 10% tariff. For the products that entered at the 20% tariff charge, American customers will only be paying 9.6% of that 20% charge.
As of right now, none of our products arrived during the higher tariff charge. We will continue to hold shipments of new product from China until tariffs come down to a more feasible percentage or are removed.
While we are not ready to make an official announcement, we can say that our industry is working together to communicate our position on these tariffs and to lobby on our collective behalf. It's actually been very heartwarming to see so many manufacturers come together over this.
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NEW SCHEME ADDED! HO Scale VIA Rail Budd RDCs
Calling all modern VIA Rail fans! We have a great new addition to the ongoing RDC project! Please welcome VIA Rail 6105 (RDC-1) and 6217 and 6219 (RDC-2), which wear the current 2010s rebuild scheme. These are amongst the last operating RDCs that VIA Rail rosters and we are proud to present this latest RDC variation!
Just in! We have early decorated renders of the new VIA RDCs. These still have some revisions and design work left, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek. Check them out, below.
| | The Great White North. VIA Rail 6217 is ready to go. Photo courtesy of Josh Anderchek. | | |
What makes these VIA Rail Budd RDCs so special? They're the last of their kind still in active service for a major passenger operation in North America. VIA 6105, 6217, 6219 and the rare Budd RDC-4, 6250, operate out of Sudbury to White River, Ontario. They run on trains 185 and 186, which are a thrice weekly turn. This service is an essential lifeline for people living in the Algoma district as well as supply lines and transport for visitors is the summer months.
We can't afford to tool all of the wackadoodle rebuild stuff that VIA did to these (unless you want to order 1000 for your layout), but we are able to do the major spotting features, such as steps, ends and additional lights.
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Riding trains 185 and 186 are something you have to experience.
Photos courtesy of Josh Anderchek.
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We can't forget the other Budd RDCs we are offering! We plan to spotlight all of these RDCs in a future newsletter again, once we get the CN 1501, SP-10 and ATSF RDCs a bit further towards production. We've had a change of product designers on this project so it's been delayed a bit.
Speaking of the CN 1501, these early design renders just rolled in! We're excited to show off some progress of CN 1501. As a reminder, some items will change or be revised as the design process is finalized.
| | Antennas, blanked windows, those weird steps and a whole whack of lights are just some of the new features of this RDC. | | |
CN 1501 drifts through West Chicago, past JB Tower, crossing over the ex-C&NW.
Funny how this one RDC has no problem triggering the crossing signals on CN track!
Isn't that a miracle?
Photo courtesy of Bobby Allard.
| Yes, this is a model! Our RDCs feature INSANE details as well as an incredible array of piping. | |
All of our HO Scale RDCs feature:
- Rapido’s acclaimed “stainless steel” finish
- Separate underframe piping and conduit
- Loads of roadname-specific details
- Fabricated or cast truck sideframes (as appropriate)
- Separate grab irons and front door chains
- Etched-metal roof grills and fan covers
- Lit number boards and class lights
- Correct engine sounds (as appropriate)
- MoPower capacitor
- Suggested minimum radius: 22"
The Rapido VIA Rail 6105, 6217 and 6219 feature all of these, plus:
- 6105 — RDC-1
- 6217 and 6219 — RDC-2
- Many 2010 rebuild details such as e-bell, blanked-out windows, modified ends, different steps and much more
- Operating VIA-style xenon light and ditch lights
Here are the arts for the VIA RDCs. After that, we have the rest of the current RDC run. Enjoy!
| The VIA Rail 6105, 6217 and 6219 look glamourous! | Here's the Santa Fe RDC set: | And here's the massively rebuilt SP-10: | The distinctive SP-10. Note the blanked-rear end, large numberboards and Gyralite. | Ready to order a bunch of RDCs? In case you forgot to the first time, this is your reminder to do that now! The order books are still open since these are being finalized and we plan to promote these a lot more in the coming month. | | |
NEW! HO Scale Centerbeam Wrapped Lumber Load
Are your HO Scale Centerbeams lacking a detailed load? Wait no more! Now you can add wrapped lumber loads to your centerbeams!
What makes these different from previous manufacturers' lumber loads? The rows will have a very small, but prototypical gap just like the real thing. They can be arranged in different ways to create those offsetting stacks commonly seen. If you want to get creative, you could also carefully cut some of the strips and rearrange the loads to make even more unique patterns!
Most importantly, all the commercial loads out there now are too short for our car and for the Atlas Centerbeam also.
| A Canfor wrapped load, which is one of the more recognizable logos in the lumber industry. Prototype photos courtesy of Jeff Lassahn. | |
Did you know that there a tons of different lumber product companies that ship their loads by rail? The next time you are trackside, take note of all of the different logos on the lumber wraps. You'll see many different companies from the US and Canada.
The HO Scale Centerbeam Wrapped Lumber Load features:
- Accurately sized for modern, 73’ centerbeams (Rapido and Atlas)
- Wrapped loads feature prototypically small see-through gaps between rows, a first for molded centerbeam loads
- Four rows of product, matching the most common modern bundle sizes
- Each row is separate, allowing endless combinations
- You can arrange each load pack differently on both sides
- Sides are held together by mini magnets
- Acquiring multiple loads will create many combination opportunities!
- Adventurous modelers can cut their loads to create new combinations, much like the prototype
Here is the artwork for the HO loads.
| Ready to order a ton of Centerbeam Wrapped Lumber Loads? If you click the button below, it will lead you to either the product catalog or our website so you can order these beauties. | | |
NEW! N Scale Centerbeam Wrapped Lumber Loads
Are your N Scale Centerbeams also lacking a wrapped lumber load? You too can join in on the fun!
| An Idaho Forest Group wrapped lumber load travels on the ex-IC just south of Chicago. Prototype photos courtesy of Jeff Lassahn. | |
The N Scale Centerbeam Wrapped Lumber Load features:
- Accurately sized for modern, 73’ centerbeams
- Two pattern designs: one unique design for each side
- Loads are held together by mini magnets
- Acquiring multiple loads will create different combination opportunities
And now for the different loads to choose from.
| | Help your N scale empire generate revenue with Rapido's wrapped lumber loads. Click the button below, it will lead you to either the product catalog or the ordering page. | | |
Rapido Live! — April 24th, 7:30PM
You might have noticed that our Rapido Live! that was scheduled for the 16th was postponed. Jason had a molar pulled that day and thought he would still be able to go live. BWA HA HA HA HA! He was bleeding, oozing, pulsating mass of misery. (Ed: I wrote that! -Jason)
Tonight is the new date for this event. Come join Jason, Jordan, Bill and Natasha for a night of Rapido model discussion that generally warps into a wild discussion about anything! You won't want to miss the back-and-forth between them. They will be happy to answer your questions! Especially if it involves 1980s WWF wrestling or Doctor Who!
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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PRRT&HS Convention — May 14th-18th
Join Bill at the PRRT&HS Convention in May and bring all of your questions about Rapido and our adventures in the world of PRR modeling. We might even have a brand new project to tease with a 3D sample! By might, we mean "will."
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Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items will be arriving soon!
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The Berlin Mills boxcars look great!
These are in transit between New York and Buffalo right now!
| | A sampling of the GP40s. We can't wait to see a fully built production sample! | | A photo of the H16-44s. They've since left the factory! | 2816 fans, your CP Dome Lounge cars are getting closer! | | N scale RR-56 reefers look good in BNSF and original Santa Fe. | | |
Newsletter 204 comes to a close. Next month we'll be back with another order deadline special. Later in May we have at least three brand-new announcements!
Until then, happy modeling!
Bobby Allard
Newsletter Reporter
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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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