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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 209
©2025 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
This is newsletter platform 209, your all-station stop for Richard Longpré's newest volume of the Cars of VIA book series, as well as a big update on our new CF7 (first samples!), a relaunch for our FA-1, and another reminder about our September early bird deadlines. The early bird gets the worm, as they say, which will hopefully allow for the second mouse to get the cheese... is anyone else hungry? Step into our dining car for your monthly serving of newsletter — bon appétit!
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In this 209th issue...
- HO Scale CF7 — First Samples and Video!
- NEW! The Cars of VIA: Heritage Fleet, Volume 2, Cars 573 - 1105
- We Need Your Orders! HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotives
- September Order Deadlines — September 15th, 2025
- New Videos - Including Jason's Q&A and Unboxings!
- Rapido and Me
- 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.
| | STOP PRESS! Our production samples of the HO Scale Enterprise Covered Hopper just arrived and we think this one is a grand slam! We're talking T******-level detail! And we're really proud! More photos below, but have a look: | | |
HO Scale CF7 — First Samples and Video!
¡Hola! We recently received our first HO Scale CF7 samples and wanted to show them off in a new video. Click here or the photo above to watch. Below are a few photos of these excellent looking models, in case you did not see them in our last newsletter. As a reminder, these are very early test samples and many revisions will occur before production.
We're planning to close the order book in the fall as soon as we get even newer samples. Keep an eye out for the order deadline. These won't just be the most detailed CF7 model out there. These will be among the most detailed diesel locomotives ever produced. Check out those brass etchings and prototype-specific detail!
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It's in the details — tons of them. Literally!
Etched-metal grilles with the vents behind them. Amazing.
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Check out those Cannon & Company licensed fans! Just an assortment of awesome details.
Some of the CF7s will feature the fan favorite Stratolite!
| Some later units will receive the modified Blomberg trucks as seen above. No outside clasp brakes! | Here are the schemes for the HO Scale CF7 Locomotive, along with a gorgeous 3D render to show how the paint schemes will look on the model. We even included four unlettered options to roll your own! | | |
NEW! The Cars of VIA: Heritage Fleet, Volume 2, Cars 573 – 1105
Did the first volume of the Cars of VIA leave you hanging and wanting desperately to learn more? Get ready to return to the world of VIA Rail with Richard Longpré’s The Cars of VIA: Heritage Fleet, Volume 2! The first volume sold out INSTANTLY. Similar to that first book, this edition is packed with stunning photos, rare details, and insider knowledge every railfan craves.
Whether you’re a collector, a history buff, or just love the romance of the rails — this is your ticket to VIA’s golden age. Don’t miss out as this limited run featuring Cars 573 – 1105 will sell out fast — grab yours today!
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Richard Longpré (pronounced Long-PRAY for the non-Canadiens) has spent 36 years on the railway, starting as a train operator for CP Rail in 1986, then as a running trade in 1987—working the yards and freights. He 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.
Richard has forgotten more about Canadian passenger cars than any of us will ever know. Want to know where a particular crossover pipe or junction box went to? Richard is your man. He’s owned 84 different real passenger cars at various times in the last 20 years and we are so happy to have his expertise expanded in print for us to reference in perpetuity.
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Here's VIA 656, at Bayview Junction in 1977.
VIA/CN Club Galley - what a wonderful way to watch the world go by!
Photo courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
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HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive
The Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive set the bar high from day one — precision‑crafted, loaded with detail, and built for serious collectors. These standout models deserve a place on every collector's and modeler's shelf or layout!
We take the blame for not promoting the new run of these models sufficiently. Second runs tend to get lost amidst the excitement of other projects with all-new tooling. But we need to make more than just one run in order for a project to be profitable.
So far, SP&S is the only railroad that has sold enough for us to make this run. New York Central, New Haven and Rock Island are very close, but the rest are quite far off.
Please have a look at our new video by clicking the image above or by clicking here. Also have a look at the pretty pictures below. The best thing you can do, if you would be so kind, is to help us spread the word about these great models. Hopefully word of mouth and our new video will help get the project to the finish line.
The new order deadline is October 15th.
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Look at that interior detail through the windshield! Also the body shape - including the distinctive Alco nose - was 3D scanned from the real thing.
A closeup of the truck and front pilot.
| The fans are visible through the grilles, plus all of that other rooftop detail. | |
Did you know there were NEARLY 700 FA-1 and FB-1 Models built for 25 railroads in North America? The chances were very high if you went out to catch a train hauled by one of these locomotives. Not that we're saying you need to order 25 FAs, although...
There is pretty much a scheme suitable for everyone. You can see some on the beautiful renders below. Which one will you pick?
| The Rock Island, Soo and Erie Lackawanna will all look superb. | Another angle, this time showing the rears. The front view shows off the rooftop details. | In the late 1970s, the Long Island Rail Road purchased secondhand FAs for the purpose of having them converted into control cabs which also supplied head end power (HEP) to the passenger cars. On the other end, one of their GP38-2s or MP15ACs would power the train. The heavy locomotive front would also add extra crew safety instead of using the normal cab car style end that many commuter roads were beginning to use. | We will be offering four LIRR roadnumbers, 611 through 614, in the gray, yellow and blue scheme. These were the original rebuilds which featured a downgraded prime mover that only needed to supply power to the main generator, which turned out 600 volts for the passenger cars. | FAs under wires! Photo courtesy of the NHRTA. | Another unique FA-1 Locomotive user was the Burlington Northern. The early days of the BN were a wild place to find just about anything on road and local trains. The ex-SP&S FA-1s had a unique place on BN's roster, leading trains through the Columbia Gorge in the Pacific Northwest. | Now you too can recreate the glory days of the BN where you could have a C636, FA-1, C425 and SD40 in one train, and it would be highly prototypical! | The see-through grilles really shine in this New Haven model. This feature alone elevates the Rapido FA models above the competition. | |
Here are the HO Scale FA-1 and FB-1 features:
- Correct nose and windshield contours, scanned from sister loco FPA-4
- Flat or angled number boards as appropriate
- Dynamic and non-dynamic brake versions
- Etched side and fan screens
- Heavy, die-cast chassis
- 5-pole motor with dual flywheels
- Operating headlights, class lights and back-up lights
- Full underbody piping and conduit
- Separate grab irons and handrails
- Many road-specific details installed or included
- Full, multi-color interior
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound - ESU LokSound V5 Decoder
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
Now for the schemes of the Alco FA-1 and FB-1s.
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Exclusive Model! HO Scale FA-1 Spokane, Portland and Seattle 857
Don't forget the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway Historical Society's LIMITED custom run of Alco FA-1, number 857! This unique model will be produced in the one-of-a-kind paint scheme it wore from 1964 until it was retired by Burlington Northern in 1972.
All current SP&SRHS members will receive a 10% discount off their purchase. Any non-member that purchases 857 will receive a one year membership as part of the retail price. What a great deal!
Click here to order one of these neat FA-1s now!
| Place your order through your favorite dealer or directly from our website. We really would like this project to happen. Please tell your friends! | | |
Conditional Order Deadline: September 15th, 2025
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HO Scale Canadian Light Rail Vehicle
The HO Scale Canadian Light Rail Vehicle (CLRV) is our first streetcar model! We're just over a month away from the conditional order deadline on September 15th, so please keep those orders coming in. So far we are about halfway to the number we need for Jason to feel comfortable starting the tooling. Please make sure to get your orders in!
We'll return next month with a deeper dive into these important streetcars. Until then, have you had a chance to look at our brilliant masterclass on the CLRV?
MIND THE DOORS! This is a conditional announcement with a 5% early bird discount if you order by SEPTEMBER 15, 2025! That's a good deal and with plenty of orders, we can get this into the next phase... we REALLY want this project to hit the next phase.
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Thank you to all the awesome Bostonians who have ordered our "what if" CLRV Boston paint scheme. It is one of our best-selling models.
Cheers!
(See what we did there?)
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N Scale CTA 2600 Budd Series 'L' Cars
The N CTA 2600 Budd Series 'L' Cars
Below are the five schemes we are offering for the 'L' cars. We have high hopes for this project and are really pushing for them to clear the conditional order deadline. Jason tells us we're only about 25% there on the preorders for him to feel comfortable starting the tooling. So please spread the word about these never-before-produced models. We'll be back next month to take a closer look at these cars since we just announced them. Stay tuned.
Do you want to get a deal? Order these cars before September 15, 2025 to get the neat 5% early bird discount! With plenty of orders, we are sure we can get this into the next phase.
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Q&A on a Train — With Jason (and Isaac!)
Check out the newest question and answer video with Jason and son Issac, aboard The Canadian! Click here or the photo above to watch. Did Jason answer your question? You'll have to watch to find out!
This video caused quite a stir on one of the online discussion groups as some people were concerned that Rapido would no longer be making Canadian models. This came about because Jason mentioned that the US orders for the S-13/RS-23 models were higher than Canadian orders for these uniquely Canadian models.
Here's Jason and Jordan's reply (they wrote it together!) about this issue:
Jordan and I don't normally comment on the group but we decided it was worth stepping into the fray.
US orders would normally account for 20% of sales of a Canadian prototype. For the S-13/RS-23, the US orders so far represent 70% of sales. US orders for Canadian products have not increased much. The problem is that Canadian orders have fallen off a cliff. It's not just this model: we are seeing that across the board. Our retailers are largely reporting the same thing. Even US sales of the TTC CLRV streetcar are higher than Canadian sales.
Did you know that, in this latest run, we've sold more LIRR Super Continental Line coaches than either CN (1954) or CN (1961) schemes?
Similarly, our Canadian freight car sales have dropped off dramatically, whereas they used to be almost as high as our US freight cars. Our next Canadian freight car will be a conditional announcement because almost every Canadian freight car we've released in the last couple of years has lost money. That means the gross profit did not cover our overhead expenses because we did not sell enough of them.
We base our MSRP on our costs and projected sales. At the current rate of sales for the S-13/RS-23, we will probably lose money at $450 (Canadian) MSRP.
These are the conditions we are dealing with right now. Despite all this, we do not intend to abandon the Canadian market. But we really hope that Canadian customers will step up and order things like the S-13/RS-23 and the GP9u, and - especially - Canadian rolling stock.
I'll echo that sentiment - please preorder your Canadian models. We need the preorders so we know how many to make! By the way, for the RS-23, Minnesota Commercial is currently outselling CPR Block and CPR Script combined. What the heck is going on??? Have all the Canadian model railroaders moved to Minnesota?
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HO Scale H16-44 Unboxing
The wait is finally over! The HO Scale H16-44 Locomotives have arrived and are ready for service on your layout. Check out Jordan unbox the H16-44 and go over the finer details. Then watch the CP version travel around Keith Hopkin's 1950-themed layout. The 8710 fits right in! ...oh, by the way, don't wait! They're flying off the shelves!
Click here or the photo above to watch.
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HO Scale PA-1 and PB-1 Unboxing
The Alco PA-1 and PB-1s are also here! Join Jordan as he unboxes a bunch of the PAs, which includes the unique ATSF EMD repowered versions. Click here or the photo above to watch.
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HO Scale Procor GP20 Tank Car Unboxing... with Nat!
Check out our latest HO Scale Procor GP20 Tank Cars. In this video we have a surprise guest: Nat, our Marketing & PR Manager! There's even a surprise roadname in there, but you'll have to watch to find out. Click here or the photo above to watch... something something ROLX. 😮
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Rapido and Me
Hey there! Check out some of the recent photo submissions we've received from our friends. 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!).
| | Metro-North and CDOT FL9s haul Shoreliners into the station. Photo courtesy of Ben Martin, taken at the The Model Railroad Club of Union. | |
Our next photo takes us to Quakertown, where we see two Reading RDCs leaving the station. Photo courtesy of Guy Frick, taken at the Lehigh & Keystone Valley
Model Railroad Museum in Bethlehem, PA.
| Night moves! Check out these neat nighttime shots submitted by Kevin O'Brien. That 44-Tonner sure looks neat working with modern freight cars. | N scalers, we didn't forget you! Two Dash 8s power a freight across an awesome bridge scene. Photo courtesy of Carl Schafter. | | |
NHRTHA Train Show and Reunion — September 6th
Come visit the annual New Haven Railroad Historical and Technical Association's 2025 Reunion at the Valley Railroad in Essex, Connecticut. Bill will have our New Haven models on display as well as answer any of your questions, New Haven related or not! (Hopefully your questions are related to the New Haven or you might get some funny looks from the crowd.) Come on out September 6th to join in on the fun!
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Mid-Atlantic Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet — September 13th-14th
If you're in the Baltimore-Washington DC area around September 13th and 14th, head on over to Linthicum, Maryland for the annual Mid-Atlantic Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet! Come say hello to Bill (again!) and see our samples we will have on display.
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Colorado Rail Prototype Modelers — September 27th & 28th
It's the second annual Colorado Rail Prototype Modelers Meet, located in Greeley, Colorado! We'll have a selection of sample models on display and you can ask any question you have for Dan and, apparently, Bill also. I believe Bill has been cloned and there are three of him doing shows in September. Say hi to Bill when you see him, if it's the real Bill....
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Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items will be arriving soon! There are currently six shipments on the way from the factories in China, with more leaving in the next couple of weeks. It promises to be a busy fall!
N scalers, the RDCs are just about ready. They are in final assembly now and we are waiting for decoders. As soon as the decoders arrive, we just need another few days to install and test and then we can ship them out. These will be sent by air so you should have them not long after they leave the factory.
| | The Alco PA production models have just arrived! Here's the Santa Fe EMD repowered locos. | | This is a VERY SHARP photo of these beauties. The signature PA front, but with a twist! The hump provides the needed space for the EMD prime mover. | | UP with the neat green nose top and GM&O: | | |
That's the unique CN-Demo scheme, above.
Below, the striking lines and colors of the Missouri Pacific PA-1 look amazing.
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A familiar face in the New Haven.
The Erie Lackawanna looks great in the GMY scheme.
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The ex-IC Canadian National GP40. Dig that rooftop A/C unit and IC access panels.
4012's nose lights, cab bell and K3 — totally Canadian!
| The non-dynamic club: Illinois Central and RF&P. Did you know the RF&P units had dual control stands? Check out the popout in the photo, we included that feature as well as the Watchman Heater vent on the rear of the long hood. | | Slugs! The MKT slug, featured in UP and MKT paint. Remember, those slugs are also POWERED! | | Check out the side details as well a the see-through grilles on the fans, which feature the Cannon & Company licensed design! | | |
Claremont & Concord's famous red scheme.
NKP owned a single 44-Tonner. Here it is! Ol' number 90. This is a HobbyTyme exclusive.
Click here to find out more!
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Trolley poles! The Pacific Electric 44-Tonners carry these contraptions to activate grade crossing and regular signals through the trolley wire — not for power.
We can't forget Penn Central's One – count 'em – ONE 44-tonner!
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NYO&W, I think I know who might need that one...
The Lackawanna scheme might have been spartan, but it always looked sharp.
| | The Milwaukee Road and Soo Line SD10s! | | |
And here's the C&NW SD9, with unique chopped nose!
It is not just the Milwaukee chopped nose - the two noses are actually shaped differently!
| | Here are those promised Enterprise Covered Hopper photos: | | Above and below, the cars were in sugar service with modified roof hatches for bulk sugar loading. These have never been made before in model form! | | Below are some CN examples. Note the different body and roof designs on the CN cars. | | This is freakin' gorgeous! And of course we have Penn Central. Maybe I have to backdate my layout to have some of these... | | These Enterprise Covered Hoppers are the next generation of freight car modeling. Boldly go and order your fleet today. We hope they will live long and prosper on your layout. Make it so. | | |
Newsletter 209 comes to a close. We'll be back in a few weeks to with our August announcements. Can you guess what they are?
Bobby Allard
Newsletter Reporter
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Canada: 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, ON L3R 5H5
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