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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 213
©2025 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
We're back again, but this time we need to discuss some very important October and November order deadlines. Grab a pumpkin flavored drink and get cozy! Or just put a pumpkin on your head.
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In the 213th issue...
- HobbyTyme Exclusive SW9!
- October Order Deadlines
- November Order Deadlines
- Rapido and Me
- Events and Shows - Jason is coming to Winnipeg!
- 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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HOBBYTYME EXCLUSIVE! HO Scale Bicentennial SW9 Locomotives
The Bicentennial excitement continues with HobbyTyme's exclusive run of Pittsburg and Shawmut SW9 locomotives! They'll be offering three roadnumbers, each carrying a unique name. 1775 has the name "Independence", 1851 carries "Sam Colt" and 1866 sports "Oliver Winchester". These are painted in the attractive red, white and blue of the Shawmut Line with the stars on the blue cab.
To order, contact your local dealer or you can head over to HobbyTyme's website to see which dealers they work with.
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Order Deadline: October 15th, 2025
Have no worries! While we are closing the order desk for five locomotives on one day, their arrival will be spread out over the latter half of 2026. They will NOT arrive at the same time!
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October Order Deadline Video
Check out our latest order deadline video featuring Jason and Jordan. They discuss all of the projects with an October 15th order deadline. Click here or the photo above to watch.
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HO Scale Santa Fe CF7 Locomotive
Our popular CF7 Locomotive will be closing out the preordering period on October 15th. In case you haven't seen the latest video, click here or the photo above to watch.
Hurry back, as we have a neat synopsis of the horns these rebuilds carried.
| | Not much to say other than... wow! | | |
Did you notice the shutters behind the grilles? Look closely and you'll see them!
Also note the Cannon and Company licensed fans on the roof!
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We don't want to toot our own horn here... just kidding, we sure do! The CF7s were equipped with a wide variety of air horns. Out of rebuild, most of the round cabs had dual Leslie A-200s or Wabco E-2s. The first handful of square cabs also had these horns, one facing forward and one facing the rear. What's interesting to note is the F-units that arrived at Cleburne sported Leslie S5Ts. Some would wind up on the rebuilds.
Later on, some of the rebuilds would receive Leslie S3Ls. These were also the horn of choice for Santa Fe in the 1970s. Over time as horns failed or were changed out, the more S3L/RS3Ls would appear and in the mid-1980s, the Nathan K3LA would also find their way onto the CF7 roofs.
Below, we show off some of the horn variations that will appear on our models, according to road number.
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Those super Rapido HO Scale CF7 Locomotive schemes for this initial run await you. Scroll down!
Note: We have tooled the rebuilt Santa Fe truck without outer brake shoes and we will install the correct truck where appropriate!
Scroll down to see a render of the LAJ model showing these trucks and the ditch lights.
| Here's that render of the LAJ model. All of these parts have been tooled and will enter production this month. For the three of you who don't want ditch lights on your LAJ model, you can cut them off! | It's go time. That means it's time to get your orders in before October 15th. You can do so by ordering through your favorite hobby shop or directly from us. | | |
HO Scale P32AC-DM Locomotive
The HO Scale P32AC-DM Locomotive has been one of our most popular passenger locomotives yet. This iconic dual-mode locomotive has had a long history running commuters and intercity travelers up and down the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. On October 15th, we close out the preordering period and we will send these into production.
ESU and Rapido went to New York City and did a whole recording session with these unique locomotives. The sound is very complicated and the model sound will be very accurate!
We also have a new video describing some of the finer points. Click here or the image above to watch it.
This is the first HO scale GE Genesis model ever produced to Rapido standards. This is not 30-year-old tooling with a facelift.
| | Here are the Amtrak schemes. | Get your orders in for the very popular P32AC-DM. You can order them from your favorite dealer or directly through us. | | |
HO Scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotive
The Alco FA-1 and FB-1 Locomotives are some of the most attractive locomotives ever built. Their pug noses and sleek lines look excellent traveling down the line. With that said, there's not much time left to preorder these beauts! October 15th is the order deadline and we don't want you to miss out.
Our new video covers these locomotives in-depth. Click here or the image above to watch.
| | Here are the HO Scale FA-1 and FB-1 schemes on this run. The last three schemes at the bottom come as single A units. All others have options for single A or A+B sets! | | Act now! Order the FAs through your favorite dealer or directly from our website. | | |
HO Scale SW9 Locomotive
Small, but powerful. That is a great way to describe the EMD SW9. In fact, every layout needs one or two of these, whether it's for the local that trundles out collecting cars or the shop switcher. They'll get the job done. You too can get the job done by placing your orders BEFORE October 15th!
Click here or on the image above to watch the latest video on these mighty pullers.
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Here is the HO Scale SW9 Locomotive in nine popular schemes plus three "industrial-style" unlettered schemes in a red and yellow/black and blue variations! See them below.
Hey ATSF fans! This is the first accurate ATSF SW9 with its unique louver arrangement! But the B&M fans are ordering WAY MORE than the ATSF fans. You guys need to step it up! Even IC is outselling Santa Fe. Where are you guys???
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HO Scale GP9u and SW Slug Locomotives
It's time, modellers. The GP9u and SW Slug have their "final, final" order deadline on October 15th. Let's take one more quick look at these neat rebuilds that traversed Canada AND the United States on road freights and locals.
I'm not trying to sound like a broken record, but hear me out. The Santa Fe SW9 had a relatively short life in that variation. In contrast, our GP9u models cover a 35-year era of CP modelling, from Vancouver to Montreal, from the Twin Cities to Maine. To put things into even greater perspective, our sales for the CN GP9RM + Slug were MORE THAN FOUR TIMES the sales of the CP GP9u and Slug. Huh???
CP, Soo and D&H modellers - you have another few days to get your orders in. Please tell your friends and encourage them to order theirs!
(Our biggest selling paint scheme is Southern Railway of BC. So really, it's a CP thing. Where are you guys???)
Oh, by the way, in case you missed the video, click here to watch it.
| | Don't forget, the order deadline is on October 15th, so make sure you're counting up your orders, now! | | |
HO Scale Halliburton Pneumatic Rail Car
And last but not least, the HO Scale Halliburton Pneumatic Rail Car. This unique and very important railcar will meet its first hurdle on October 15th. We're hoping for good news with the preorders so we can get it to the next phase, which is tooling!
Because this is such a weird car, we had no idea if it will sell. Right now we are about halfway there to our target sales number. Therefore it is a conditional announcement with a 5% early bird discount if you order by OCTOBER 15, 2025! That's a good deal and with plenty of orders, we can get this into the next phase.
| | Despite being built for such a specialized service, the Pneumatic Rail Cars lasted well over 40 years. They could be seen across North America, with a heavy focus on the oil-rich states. | | Check out the scheme variations for this unique car. They're done by era — but who says you can't mix the eras? | | Please start rolling in your orders on or before October 15th. The more orders, the better chance this car has to make it into tooling! The design is done and ready to roll. We just need your orders. | | |
Order Deadline: November 17th, 2025
OK - you see that we are closing a lot of order deadlines each month. Our factories need the order numbers early because they are not as fast as we would like. Many of these locomotives won't be here until late in 2026, and they will definitely be spread out and not arriving at the same time.
So please order with confidence and we promise your wallets won't be attacked all at once. We prefer Death of Wallet by 1000 Cuts...
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HO Scale MLW S-13 and RS-23 Locomotives
The HO Scale Montreal Locomotive Works S-13 and RS-23 is ready to roll! These are really gorgeous switchers, and you can see from the pre-production samples that they are loaded full of separate details and etched parts. Check out the rolled etched steps!
If you missed the video, click here to watch Nat blow up, describe all of the neat S-13 and RS-23 details. (Jays fans, there's even a neat clip you'll enjoy, too!)
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Here are the HO Scale S-13 and RS-23 Locomotive features:
- Heavy die-cast frame with many separate details
- Correct Canadian-style AAR (Type A or B) or MLW lightweight trucks
- Photo-etched radiator grilles
- Road-specific fuel tanks
- Traction motor details on trucks
- New thinwall cab design with full interior
- Prototypically correct tread patterns on walkways
- CN S-13s feature rooftop strobe "fink light" where appropriate
- Metal grab irons
- Rapido’s innovative dead-straight metal handrails with plastic stanchions
- Rubber air and sanding lines
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running
- DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DCC/Sound (Recorded from a real S-13!)
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
Now check out the schemes for these locomotives!
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S-13 and RS-23 Exclusives!
Otter Valley Railroad will be offering an exclusive run of S-13s, decorated for the Ontario Southland and Waterloo Central. The Ontario Southland versions wear that awesome maroon and cream with silver striping. The Waterloo Central 1001 wears a CP-esque maroon and grey throwback scheme, but lettered for their road.
These are two roads you won't want to miss out on! Click here or the photos below to order them.
| Order from your favourite dealer or directly through us. Let's make this the most successful MLW project ever! | | |
HO Scale GP38 Locomotive
The HO Scale GP38 Locomotives now have an order deadline set for November 17th, 2025. We're this much closer to more GP38s on the shelves! We have just received our samples, which we will photograph and put on the website and in our upcoming newsletters and videos. Until then, check out the renders.
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Now for the HO Scale GP38 Locomotive features:
- Measured from a living GP38
- Road-specific details for each model
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
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Cannon and Company licensed radiator fan designs
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters and a silly number of separately applied parts
- Road-specific battery box doors
- Separate metal grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating headlights, rear lights, white class lights, ditch lights and beacons (where appropriate)
- Highly detailed cab interior
- Correct fuel tank sizes per road number
- Multiple styles of stepwells
- See-through, etched steps
- Multiple truck sideframes tooled
- Multiple dynamic-brake hatches and air filters
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/ESU LokSound
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
The schemes for the GP38 sure are colorful.
| | Order your favorite GP38s through your local dealer or directly from us. | | |
HO Scale PRSL Cab GP38 Locomotive
The HO Scale PRSL Cab GP38 Locomotives also have an order deadline set for November 17th, 2025. We simply cannot wait to get these unique GP38 versions into production!
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Those HO Scale PRSL Cab GP38 Locomotive features:
- PRSL “dual control stand” cab - First time in plastic!
- Highly detailed cab interior featuring three separate interiors (large box, double and rebuilt single control stands)
- Road-specific details for each model
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
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Cannon and Company licensed radiator fan designs
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters and a silly number of separately applied parts
- Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating headlights, rear lights, white class lights AND ditch lights and beacons (where appropriate)
- Separately applied wire grabs
- See-through, etched steps
- Correct fuel tank sizes per road number
- Multiple truck sideframes tooled
- Multiple dynamic-brake hatches and air filters
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/ESU LokSound
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
And now for the schemes.
| | Order the PRSL Cab GP38s from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
HO Scale GP39 and GP39+SWMT Slug Set
The GP39 and GP39+SWMT Slug Sets are also ready to close out on November 17th! We should be receiving samples soon, which we'll be showing off in a new video and an upcoming newsletter.
| 3901, sports the classic Chessie orange, blue and vermillion. It's leading a freight through Akron, Ohio. Photo by Paul Wester, courtesy of the Diesel Era collection. | |
CSX SWMT slug number 1040 proves these lasted well into the 2000s, wearing YN3 paint.
Photo by Doug Boyd, courtesy of the Paul Wester / Diesel Era collection.
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Want to know ALL of the GP39 and GP39+SWMT Slug Set Features? Everything is listed here:
- Powered SWMT Slug — a first in plastic!
- First GP39 in plastic!
- Road-specific details for each model
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
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Cannon and Company licensed radiator fan designs
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters and a whopping amount of separately applied parts
- Road-specific battery box doors
- Separate metal grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating headlights, rear lights, white class lights, ditch lights and beacons (where appropriate)
- Highly detailed cab interior
- Correct fuel tank sizes per road number
- Multiple styles of stepwells
- See-through, etched steps
- Separately applied wire grabs
- Multiple sideframe variations tooled
- Multiple dynamic-brake hatches and air filters
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/ESU LokSound
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
Below are the schemes and variations. First are the GP39s.
| Next we have the GP39+SWMT Slug Sets | |
For all you freelancers, we've included two generic styles of SWMT Slugs, so you can roll your own.
The GP39 and GP39+SMWT Slugs are proving to be very popular, so placing a preorder is the best way to ensure you get the models you want! Order them from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us.
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N Scale F40PHM-2 Locomotive
The N Scale F40PHM-2 Locomotive now has an order deadline set for November 17th. We also have brand new samples. It might be banana yellow, but this only accentuates its details. Check out the sample photos, below.
| | Banana-rama! It might be obnoxiously yellow, but it highlights the details well. | | |
Note the see-through fans, which provides a deep sound for the speakers.
Below, the front on the rebuilt version shows off the strobe APU light and new pilot detail.
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The N Scale F40PHM-2 features:
- Correct slanted 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
- Suggested minimum radius: 9 3/4"
And now the most important part: the paint schemes. Check them out below.
| | Order up! Place your orders through your local hobby shop or directly from us. | | |
N Scale F59PH Locomotive
The N Scale F59PH Locomotive is pushing its train towards the finish line on November 17th. Let's make this much asked for passenger locomotive one of the most successful N scale units we've done. We're anticipating a sample soon, so once we have it we can photo all of its details to truly highlight the locomotive properly.
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The N Scale F59PH Locomotive features:
- Scaled from field measurements and blueprints
- Unique F59PH body and details — first time in N!
- Incredible underbody detail including separate piping
- Separate wire grab irons
- Working headlight, ditch lights and marker lights
- Lit American-style red marker lights
- Accurate F59PH sounds on sound-equipped models
- Will operate smoothly on DC and DCC layouts
- Suggested minimum radius: 9 3/4"
Here are the F59PH schemes.
| | Order them all! You can do that via your favorite dealer or directly from us. | | |
N Scale Budd Gallery Cars
Stainless steel passenger fans, the N Budd Gallery Cars close out on November 17th. This is just about a month away, so make sure you check all of your orders. We'll be back with a video to show off everything unique about these popular Windy City commuter cars.
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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.
| | The Windy City's iconic passenger cars are a must have! Order them now from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
N Scale Bilevel Commuter Cars
N scalers, the N Bilevel Commuter Cars have an order deadline set for November 17th. Start rolling those orders in for these popular commuter cars. We'll have a new video on these cars next month.
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Here are the N Scale BiLevel Commuter Car features:
- 3D designed body shell for unparalleled accuracy
- Single or double cab front windows as appropriate
- Correctly tinted windows
- Accurate painting and lettering
- All-new, smooth rolling inside bearing trucks
- Full pilot detailing with body mounted couplers
- Constant interior lighting in DC and DCC
- Controllable cab car lighting in both DC and DCC*
*Operating headlights, ditch lights and strobe lights (where appropriate)
Now for the schemes.
| | Hop on board and order these commuter cars from the dealer of your choice or directly through us. | | |
Meet-and-Greet with Jason! — Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks
On October 19th, the Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks in Winnipeg will host a meet and greet with Jason! He'll be in the house to answer any questions while you shop around this neat store. 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. CDT. Come on down and support a new shop! Don't bring him your warranty returns! He will lose them. But do bring him your old Doctor Who stuff you don't want anymore...
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Rail Rails 2025 Train Show — October 19th
Also on the 19th of October is the Real Rails Train Show in Burlington, Ontario. We'll be there for the whole three-day convention. We'll also have a buffet of Canadian models to show you. Stop on by and say hello to: Jordan, Dan D. and Nat!
To register for the convention, click here.
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Naperville RPM — October 17th-18th
The Naperville RPM is a few weeks away! Come on out to see our Chicago models as well as other related samples we'll have on display. If you need a break from Chicago sports, we can help! See you then.
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Trainfest — November 1st-2nd
Trainfest returns in early November. You betcha we'll be at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee. We'll have tons of samples on display and maybe even a few surprise looks at upcoming projects. You'll just have to be there to find out.
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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!
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New FL9 sample! Here's the CDOT M-K rebuild variation. Note the new horns, too.
The M-K features a smooth rear, single HEP fan and thicker mufflers.
| | Welcome Back, Kotter! Our special NYCTA bus with advertisements is almost here. Check out the neat era-specific ads, as seen on the T.V. show. The nose ad is in the polybag! | | The Golden Gate Transit bus looks amazing! | | The Canadian Pacific and Canadian National E-Sleeper samples look great out in the sun. | | |
Some of the finer details on the E-Sleepers.
Below is one of our 20th Anniversary cars!
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Just like that Newsletter 213 is over. We'll be back soon enough to launch more projects and discuss more important deadlines. until then, go out and enjoy spooky season! 🎃
Bobby Allard
Newsletter Pumpkin
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USA: 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204, USA
Canada: 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, ON L3R 5H5
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