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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 219
©2025 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
Merry Christmas from Rapido! 🎄
If you are reading this in early January, Merry Christmas! You know it lasts 12 days, right? If you are reading this in March, you really should check your emails more frequently, at least your Rapido ones!
This newsletter is operating on the Lakeshore line…with express service to new products! Without further ado, and full of cheer, let's GO full speed ahead into our announcements. 🎁
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In this holly jolly 219th issue...
- New Announcements
- More New Announcements. Really, you'll want to keep scrolling.
- Even More New Announcements.
This is our biggest Christmas newsletter ever!
- New Videos
- 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.
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NEW! HO Scale GO Transit 60th Fleet:
- Special Commemorative Box Sets!
- GP40TC Locomotive
- GO Transit APCU
- Hawker Siddeley RTC-85 Single Level Commuter Cars
It's a Christmas miracle... GO Transit's original fleet is coming soon!
Metrolinx will be celebrating GO Transit's 60th anniversary in 2027! We are delighted to be celebrating in partnership with Metrolinx with a limited opportunity to grab your own GO Transit fleet from Rapido Trains!
Let's start off with the launch video. Click here or the photo box above to watch.
NOTE: While GO Transit's 60th anniversary is still over a year away, we're launching this now to get this into production for delivery in early 2027. This will be a fast-moving project that we cannot wait to get into your hands just in time to help celebrate.
| GO Transit 504 leads four single level cars through the Don Valley. | The renders of the GP40TC and the Hawker Siddeley Single Level Cars look amazing! | |
In the early 1960s, Toronto was in the middle of a population boom as rapid industrialization and immigration turned the city into a major metropolis. As the population increased, it quickly became evident that the Greater Toronto Area needed a full-fledged commuter network to connect the many surrounding suburbs and communities.
Launching on May 23, 1967, GO Transit’s Lakeshore line between Oakville and Pickering, Ontario began the commuter rail revolution in the GTA. This required a brand new fleet of locomotives and railcars. Enter the GP40TC Locomotive and the Hawker Siddeley RTC-85 Single Level Commuter Cars. These became an icon of Toronto commuting for over 20 years!
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In the original GO blue and white scheme.
Photo by Pierre Alain Patenaude, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
| Giving off retro Toronto vibes with the APCU, Cab Car and the GP40TC. | | |
OK, enough history! Let's have a look at what we have planned for the 60th.
Firstly, we're offering the GP40TC Locomotive and Hawker Siddeley RTC-85 Single Level Commuter Cars in HO scale! We've heard your requests for many years and we're excited to offer these popular models in a commemorative box set with a bunch of extra collectable items! Each set contains:
- One GP40TC
- One Cab Car
- Two Coaches
- Other Neat GO Transit Commemorative Items
Hey, Jason! What are the other neat items?
Jason: Cool stuff. We're trying to source 1960s-style mugs, but if we can't then we'll go with glassware, plus napkins, a poster, a pin or two, and some repro retro stuff. Whatever we can fit in the box, really.
Bobby: Can every model we make be part of a box set?
Jason: No, Bobby. That would make it less special. Hey - did you know that GO Transit started service just three days before the UK release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band? It really puts that OPP badge on Paul's sleeve in a new light. When you listen to the run-off groove backwards it says "Run you in our single le-vels, run you in our single le-vels, run you in our..." Seriously. Try it.
Bobby: Um. Ah... OK.
Anyway, here are the schemes we're offering for these boxed sets.
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We're anticipating that the sets will be a popular item. Order them now from the hobby shop of your choice or directly through us.
But wait, there's more...
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NEW! HO Scale GP40TC Locomotive
Just when you thought we were done celebrating with the set above, we have one for you locomotive fans! In case you needed MORE HO Scale GP40TC Locomotives, you've come to the right place! Before we run through a brief history of the GP40TCs, let's see some more of those neat renders. Oooh! I see Amtrak!
| Here's the 9800-series GP40TC, before the renumbering. Looks superb with the bronze bell. | |
Running along the Gardiner Expressway. We can bet the commuters on the train are glad they don't have to drive! Note the Bilevels in the consist. The GP40TCs lasted in service until 1988 and if you have Bilevels...you need one or three of these locomotives!
Photo by Ted Wickson, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
| To power most of its new trains, GO Transit turned to GMDL in London Ontario. GMDL responded with an all-new purpose-built locomotive: the GP40TC. Largely based on EMD’s new GP40 freight locomotive on a stretched platform, the GP40TC was powered by a 3,000 horsepower, turbocharged 16-645 prime mover with a smaller EMD 12V-149 for HEP. | 503 heads through Bayview Junction. Photo courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection. | |
Constructed in 1966, these were delivered several months in advance of the start of service, and most were pressed into freight service by CN. Painted solid dark blue with red railings and a small white CN noodle on the cab, these were regularly seen in freight service in Southern Ontario. Early in 1967, they were returned to London for the installation of the HEP equipment. Repainted in full GO Transit livery in the spring of 1967, all eight units were on hand for the beginning of service on May 23.
Over time, GO Transit renumbered and made several modifications to all the GP40TC fleet. This included modifications to the HEP setup with mufflers to make them quieter, as well as changes to the rear anticlimber setup.
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GO 9803 is on a CN train with Tempo coaches! If you have Tempo cars, you'll also need the GP40TCs. The 9803 is departing westbound from Brantford, Ontario.
Photo courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
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During the early years, you could find the GP40TCs heading up freights on the weekend. Canadian National and Canadian Pacific both regularly borrowed GO transit power on Saturdays and Sundays, such as the GP40TC, as long as they had them back for the Monday morning rush. Spoiler alert: they didn't always get home in time for that!
So when you look at the GP40TCs, remember, they didn't always run in GO Transit service. In fact, we have photos to prove this! Check them out, above and below.
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GO 605 and 602 power a CN freight on one of those weekends. Hopefully they got back for the Monday morning rush! If you have freight cars, you also need...I think you get it now! 😉
Photo courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
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The HO Scale GP40TC Locomotives feature:
- Design created from original drawings and measurements
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters, HEP cabling and more
- Cannon and Company licensed fan designs
- See-through, etched steps
- Separate metal grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating headlights, rear lights, marker lights, and inspection and walkway lights
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running
- DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DCC/Sound
- Suggested minimum radius: 18” (22" or larger would look a lot better)
Here are the GP40TC schemes.
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Wait! Where's that Amtrak? Has it been forgotten? Did Amtrak not give us permission to make it? Nah - we put it in its own section.
Order one, order all of the GP40TCs! We've heard the requests for years, now it's your turn to make this project one of the most successful models we have!
Order those GP40TCs from your favourite hobby shop or directly through us.
Wait a second, it looks like there's something else...
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HO Scale GO Transit APCU
Another highly requested model, the HO Scale GO Transit APCU perfectly complements our GP40TC and Cars. The APCUs ran with any consist, Single Levels or Bilevel cars, until 1994.
Don't forget to watch the video if you haven't done so yet.
| The APCUs have tons of detail including the rear lights and that monster HEP exhaust vent. | APCU 906 hustles through Kipling with TEN single level cars. Check out those neat autoparts boxcars next to the APCU. Photo by Ted Wickson, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection. | |
With GO Transit’s rapid popularity and route expansions in the early 1970s, they quickly found themselves in need of additional equipment. GO Transit turned to GMDL for GP40-2W locomotives built largely to CN’s specifications. Despite the earlier GP40TC units being equipped with HEP, the drawback of the GP40-2W fleet was that the locomotives lacked a HEP generator. GO Transit's solution was to construct Auxiliary Power Control Units or APCUs from the cores of retired Ontario Northland FP7 locomotives. These had their prime movers replaced with 900 HP HEP generators to provide electricity to the growing fleet of single level cars and later the new multi-level fleet that began arriving in 1976.
The first four ex-ONR units entered service in 1974, numbered 9858-9861. The second group of five arrived in 76 numbered 904-908. At this time, the first batch were renumbered as 900-903.
| An APCU and a Bilevel set head west through Bayview Junction in 1994. The set is headed for California to aid in the Northridge earthquake aftermath. | |
"But Bobby, I'm an American, why do I need GO Transit APCUs?"
Well, GO Transit's APCU fleet made several appearances in the United States in the 1990s. Most notably, in the wake of the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Southern California, Los Angeles’s Metrolink borrowed three GO Transit APCUs along with several sets of multilevel coaches to provide relief due to the many damaged and impassible interstates in the LA region. Upon return to Ontario, these and the remaining GO Transit APCU fleet were retired in 1995.
But wait, we're NOT done yet!
In 1991, APCU 904 and a GP40-2W, were sold to Florida’s Tri-Rail to help aid in their startup. (Ironically Tri-Rail was the result of highway construction that became a permanent operation.) The 904 was later donated to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.
| After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Metrolink needed more equipment as many roads and highways were impassable. They leased multiple sets of GO Transit Bilevels and APCUs as a result. Photo courtesy of Paul Jansson. | |
Here are the HO Scale GO Transit APCU features:
- First ever accurate GO FP7 APCU — this is not a stand-in!
- Designed from original EMD/GMDL blueprints and field measurements
- Era-specific details applied at the factory
- Etched metal grilles
- Early or later style nose detailing
- Full cab interior
- Operational headlight and ditch lights (on appropriate versions)
- Operational numberboards, class lights and backup light (DCC)
- Drive system designed for silky-smooth slow-speed operation
- Metal Macdonald-Cartier Knuckle Couplers
- DC/Silent or DC/DCC/Sound versions featuring ESU LokSound V5 decoder with accurate HEP, horn and bell sounds
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- Suggested minimum radius: 18"
Now, for the schemes.
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Order those HO Scale FP7 APCUs for all of your commuter train HEP needs!
I think we forgot about something...
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NEW! HO Scale Hawker Siddeley RTC-85 Commuter Cars
Here's your chance to grab add-on Hawker Siddeley RTC-85 Commuter Cars! We'll also GO over a quick history of these car, too.
Let's start with a few more prototype photos of these in action.
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A typical scene at Spadina in 1978. The APCU looks ready to lead the next train.
Photo courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
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To form the backbone of GO Transit’s coach fleet, Hawker Siddeley was contracted to construct the fleet of Single Level Coaches with four batches being delivered between 1967 and 1976.
Based on Hawker Siddeley’s existing H-series of TTC subway cars and designated the RTC-85, 123 cabs and coaches were built. Additionally, eight self-propelled RTC-85SP cars were also delivered, but due to reliability issues they were de-motored by the mid-1970s and repurposed as cab cars.
| Another angle of the Cab Car. We just cannot wait to get these to the next level! | A Cab Car leads four Bilevels through West Toronto in 1980. The look of the single level Cab Cars mixed with the larger Bilevels is neat! A GP40TC is shoving at the rear. Photo by John Sjolander, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection. | As services expanded, new cars were needed. GO Transit contracted out to Hawker Siddeley to build a multi-level fleet of railcars. Once enough cars hit the property, many of the single level cars were declared surplus and leased out to US agencies. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority leased 48 between 1978-80 and returned for 51 between 1984-85. Maryland’s MARC leased some as well in the mid-1970s. | A Hawker Siddeley Cab Car leads four Bilevels and GO 506 through Bathurst Street Bridge in July of 1980. EVERYTHING in this scene has changed! Photo by John Sjolander, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection. | |
Upon retirement, the Single Levels still had lots of life left in them and most found second homes. Ontario Northland purchased 23 to reequip their passenger trains, especially the Northlander. Heavily rebuilt for long distance service, many in the fleet continue to operate today.
Montreal’s AMT also picked up most of the remaining coaches and cabs in 1994 with most remaining in service until 2010.
| Thank you to the Toronto Railway Historical Association for giving us use of the Roundhouse in Toronto. A special thanks to Ryan Goldsworthy and Alex Gates who let us have our run of car 104. Make sure, if you're in the Toronto area, you check out the Roundhouse and support the important work the TRHA does. | |
The HO Scale Hawker Siddeley RTC-85 Commuter Cars feature:
- Scaled from blueprints and field measurements
- Full, multi-colour interior with individually installed seats
- Complete underbody with separate piping and conduit
- Track powered interior lighting with MoPower capacitor for uninterrupted passenger car lighting
- Separate metal grab irons
- Free-rolling, ball-bearing wheelsets
- Cab cars include cab detailing, headlight and working three colour class lights
- Suggested minimum radius: 22”
Here are the single cab car and coaches we are offering.
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Order your Hawker Siddeley cars today! You can do so through your favourite hobby shop or directly from us.
You thought we were done? We're not done yet with the GP40TCs...
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NEW! HO Scale GP40TC — Amtrak
We can't let the Canadians have all of the fun! Here comes the HO Scale Amtrak GP40TC Locomotive.
Click here in case you haven't watched the video.
| The GP40TCs look equally as good in platinum mist, red, white and blue of the Phase III scheme. They're ready to pull those Hiawatha Service trains or team up on a long distance train! | Amtrak 198 is on the rear of a Thanksgiving weekend Hiawatha service train. They're making a stop at the old Glenview Station with a decent crowd. Photo courtesy of Lou Gerard. | After their illustrious careers for GO Transit, all eight GP40TCs, along with the F40PH fleet, were sold to Amtrak in 1988. They were repainted into Amtrak's Phase III scheme and dispatched into revenue service. Some were placed into Hiawatha service and could be seen with Metra's Gallery Cars running between Milwaukee and Chicago. | |
Amtrak 199 leads a Hiawatha with Budd Gallery cars — the exact ones we are also offering! They're on the move through Niles, Illinois, in 1989 on Thanksgiving weekend.
Photo courtesy of Lou Gerard.
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Amtrak 194 leads a Hiawatha with two Horizons and a gallery car through Golf, Illinois.
Hey! We've made those Horizons too!
Photo courtesy of Lou Gerard.
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The HO Scale Amtrak GP40TCs feature:
- Design created from original drawings and measurements
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters, HEP cabling and more
- Cannon and Company licensed fan designs
- See-through, etched steps
- Separate metal grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating headlights, rear lights, marker lights, and inspection and walkway lights
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running
- DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DCC/Sound
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
Below, we see the art for the Amtrak GP40TC.
| | Order your Amtrak GP40TCs from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
NEW! HO Scale R32 "Brightliner" NYCTA Subway
Time to travel to the city that never sleeps. We're talking about New York City, baby, where the lights are bright and the rush of the subway never stops. With that, we're very excited to introduce you to the next Rapido transit offering: the HO Scale R32 "Brightliner" NYCTA Subway Cars!
Click here to watch the awesome video.
| New York look, New York feel and of course, the New York sayings: "Fuggedaboudit". | |
When the first Budd R32 “Brightliner” Cars were delivered to the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) in 1964, they were the largest subway car order yet for NYC’s massive subway system. They also ushered in a new era, with gleaming stainless steel exteriors that were a first for the agency and led to the “Brightliner” name.
R32 cars were built to the specifications of NYCTA’s “B Division” — all lettered services — which utilized wider, longer, and heavier rolling stock. The 600 R32 cars feature four doors on each side. They also have inward-facing bench seating between each door. The cars are in a married pair arrangement, with signage on the outer ends of the cars. On the sides of the cars, a rollsign display shows the route and terminals.
| The R32s round the curve at Marcy Avenue. The Williamsburg Savings Bank dome and Williamsburg Bridge loom in the background. Photo courtesy of Nick Gagliardi. | |
Upon delivery the R32 "Brightliner" NYCTA Cars featured blue doors and the classic NYCTA logo inside of the round plate on the sides of the cars. Eventually these were replaced with the iconic two-tone "M" logo panels.
At each end of the paired cars, there is a display which included: the route, terminals, tower lights and “EXP” (Express) and “LOCAL” lights. Between 1986 and 1990 the R32 fleet went through a general overhaul program that, among other things, added air conditioning. The A/C units were installed on the roof at the ends and required the rollsign equipment on the ends to be removed. Rebuilt cars feature a minimal end, with just a single flipdot display remaining.
| The late era cars were all silver, but they still had lots of charm. | Running through Brooklyn. Photo courtesy of Nick Gagliardi. | |
The R32 Cars ended up being among the longest-running modern subway cars worldwide, with the last cars leaving the roster after 58 years. A large chunk of the fleet was retired by 2010, having been replaced by Alstom/Kawasaki R160s.
A new lease on life...
As the R32s were retired, the car shells were used to create artificial reefs off the coast of Cape Henlopen, Delaware. By 2010, over 200 remained on the roster, in active service until 2020. The final farewell trips occurred in 2021 and 2022. Several cars were saved and preserved, including 3360-3361, which have been restored to their original delivery appearance.
| The farewell trip in 2022 saw the cars wearing their original scheme with the iconic blue doors. They're seen at the West 8th Street-New York Aquarium Station with Coney Island in the background. Photo courtesy of Nick Gagliardi. | |
But wait, there's more! (Tired of hearing this yet?)
We will be offering the NYC Subway Lighted Display and Display Platform pieces as an add-on. The Subway Lighted Display features an unpowered two-car set equipped with lights along with a lighted station platform. The Station Platform Display is the lighted platform and wall backdrop, sans train. Both are great options to decorate your NYCTA subway scene!
Each station display will feature those NYC-style pillars as well as unique NYCTA station signage... and, of course, lights! Check out the renders, above and below!
| Those blue doors and the old NYCTA "TA" logo makes these cars stand out. | |
The HO Scale R32 "Brightliner" NYCTA Subway Cars feature:
- Display set with platforms and car+platform options!
- Designed from original blueprints and field measurements
- Available as 2-car sets (powered or unpowered options)
- Close-coupling system, so your cars always remain as close as possible through any trackwork
- Track-powered flicker-free interior lighting compatible with DC and DCC layouts
- Directional lighting, including headlights and red tail lights
- Low-profile drive system in A and C cars allowing for a complete interior with no visible motor
- Full, multi-color interior detailing
- Full underbody detail including separate electrical lines, conduit and equipment boxes
- Highly detailed, non-operating couplers on A and C cars
- DCC-equipped models feature accurate sound recordings
Below, we have the different scheme variations. For each era, we are offering four different routes/destinations!
| Next we have the HO Scale R32 Subway Lighted Display sets. You get the lit station display plus two unpowered cars, which will also light up. What a deal! Below are very early renders. We haven't finished designing these, but we expect to have them wrapped up in the next couple of months. | And finally, here are the HO Scale R32 Display Platform options. These are only the station displays, which are great to add to your transit layout! | |
Order your R32 "Brightliner" NYCTA Subway Cars, station display and track sections through your favorite hobby shop or directly from us. We will be showing more progress updates on this project as it nears completion. We expect the trains to be in tooling in the next month or so, and the platforms to follow in the spring.
You can use these trains with our Chicago L tracks, but please note that two R32 trains can't pass on our L curve, so the tracks are more for display. When we tried spacing out the L curved tracks to allow for the R32s, they looked too wonky.
Special thanks to Steve Ramirez, Walter Richman, Daniel Turetsky and Mark Wolodarsky at MTA for their ongoing help with this project. We'd also like to thank Nick Gagliardi for generously providing his amazing prototype photos.
Jason: Did we mention Bobby is from the Tri-State area?
Bobby: Of course! Where everyone has a harsh accent and they have two modes: fast and faster. In fact, Nat and Jordan love when I say "WAH-duh" (water).
| | The R32 section of this newsletter is dedicated to William Gagliardi, the late father of a good friend who was a long-time NYCTA Motorman. He got the opportunity to operate the R32s for nearly 20 years in their hey-day. | | |
NEW! HO Scale Train of Tomorrow Set
Rapido is over the moon to bring you the famous, flashy and futuristic Train of Tomorrow in HO scale! Not only are we developing the EMD E7 Locomotive and the four unique passenger cars, but we also are including them in a giant boxed set with additional Train of Tomorrow merch! You'll be on cloud nine when you open up the box!
Click here to watch the launch video.
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Beginning in 1947, a highly successful promotional train toured the United States and Canada, featuring four innovative dome cars built by Pullman Standard. Over the next 28 months it traveled 65,000 miles, stopped at 181 cities and was seen by 5.7 million visitors! Over 20 million more fans watched it roll by along its route.
Fun fact: the Train of Tomorrow carried the University of Southern California's football team to the Rose Bowl in 1948. Ironically, USC played Michigan, the state where the Train of Tomorrow's concept was born.
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The Train of Tomorrow carried four specialized dome cars in its consist: a dome coach named the "Star Dust", a dome sleeper named "Dream Cloud", a dome diner named "Sky View" and a dome lounge/observation aptly named the "Moon Glow".
Each car wore the attractive dark blue and stainless steel colors and had big, picture windows in addition to the dome seating. While the concept of the dome car was not new, it did pave the way for future dome car designs.
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Following its massively successful tour, the Train of Tomorrow set was sold to the Union Pacific where it was pressed into service between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington. These were part of trains 458/459 informally known as the "City of Seattle."
The cars continued in this service until they were retired between 1961 and 1965. Three of the cars were scrapped, but the observation car “Moon Glow” (now converted for mid-train service) survived. It remains today at the Utah State Railroad Museum in an unrestored condition.
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The HO Scale Train of Tomorrow sets feature:
The Train of Tomorrow Dome Cars
- Designed from original blueprints
- Detailed interiors
- Accurate paint and lettering
- Full lighting
- Complete underbody detailing
- Operating diaphragms with end gates
- Rapido’s renowned stainless steel finish
- Separate grab irons
- Track-powered constant lighting for DC and DCC
- Free-rolling 41-BNO-11 trucks with blackened metal wheels
- Suggested minimum radius: 22"
For the E7 Locomotive features, see the next section.
Here are the schemes for these.
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Get your orders in for the Train of Tomorrow! This will be the ONLY time we offer this train as a complete boxed set with all of the neat collectibles!
Order from your local hobby shop or directly through us.
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NEW! HO Scale EMD E7 Locomotive
Can we possibly top the Train of Tomorrow? We'll try with the all-new HO Scale EMD E7 Locomotive! Our line of E-Units just got more diverse with these famous diesels that could be seen for decades as the preferred choice to pull passenger trains.
Watch the launch video now.
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SP 6003 is leading train 40, the Imperial, in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1954.
Photo by Don Swanson, courtesy of the Kevin EuDaly collection.
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Between 1945 and 1949, EMD’s most-produced passenger diesel saw 428 E7As built, along with an additional 82 E7Bs. The carbody utilized EMD’s bulldog nose made famous on various F-units starting with the FT, while carrying over the rectangular side windows seen on earlier E-units. This differed from previous E-Units in it did not have the famous sloped nose that the E5 and E6 had. The E7 carbody design largely carried through to the end of production of the final E9s built.
These did retain the side carbody windows that previous models featured, albeit in different arrangements. The roof had open-top grilles, which was also present on previous models.
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An awesome night shot of Southern 2915.
Photo by Jim Boyd, courtesy of the Kevin EuDaly collection.
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The EMD E7 Locomotive became a cornerstone of post-war passenger service and could be found at the head of many railroads' passenger trains. Some of these trains included: the Twentieth Century Limited, the California Zephyr, the Sunland, and the Golden State.
While the E7s were later replaced by the more refined E8s and E9s, many found themselves enjoying a second career in local passenger services and freight. Several E7s operated in New Jersey commuter service past the formation of Conrail. Only one E7, former PRR #5901, survives, restored at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
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PC 4244 leads train 70 to Cincinnati, out of Chicago Union Station.
Photo by Charles Stumpf, courtesy of the Kevin EuDaly collection.
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The HO Scale EMD E7 Locomotive feature:
- Accurate nose and roof contours from a 3D scan!
- Both Phase I and Phase II carbodies
- Roadname specific side vent variations
- Multiple different nose configurations
- Two different back ends
- Different steam generator options
- Single- or dual-headlight configurations
- Freight or passenger pilots
- Skirted or non-skirted fuel tanks
- Original square and slope 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
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running
- DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound
- Suggested minimum radius: 22”
Now for the best part: the schemes!
| | Alright folks, this is the part where we suggest you preorder these shiny, neat locomotives to ensure you get yours before they get sell out! You can do so from your favorite hobby shop or directly online, through us. | | |
NEW! N Scale Budd RDC-2 and RDC-3 Railcars
N scalers, we couldn't forget you on this very festive launch! Here come the N Scale Budd RDC-2 and RDC-3 Railcars. Our model includes both Phase 1 and 2 body variations, as well as our normal level of detail and hidden drive system.
Before we get into the details, check out the video, which made Jeremy very happy to put together.
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Here are the early samples of the N RDC-2 and RDC-3.
Please excuse the wrong body color - the factory painted these with whatever silver paint they had on hand. The end doors are from our recent RDC-1 production run and show our proper stainless steel finish.
| Check out this neat photo of an RDC-1 from Emmerson Case's spectacular layout! | Our first RDC production run focused on the RDC-1, which was built with coach seating throughout. The RDC-2 and RDC-3 versions include compartments for baggage and/or mail. The nifty N scale RDC-2 and RDC-3 models will be produced in both Phase 1 and 2 variations. These “railfan” terms were never actually used by Budd, but they neatly describe the major differences between the early style of RDCs delivered 1949 – 1956 and the “new look” RDCs built 1956 – 1962. | Two sides of the RDC-3, complete with RPO Mail "catcher" arm. | |
The Rapido N Scale RDC was designed from the ground up with N scalers' interests in mind, and, based on the success of our RDC-1, we've got it right. These cars feature a hidden drive system and exceptional interior detailing, allowing for maximum performance and realism!
Read more about the Budd RDC by visiting the Masterclass on our website. Written by John Riddell, it is packed full of details, history and roster information.
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That is VIA Rail RDC-2 6217, photographed at Burlington, Ontario in 1985. It has the unusual white stripe letterboard. The same car is included on this release.
Photo courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
| Just like the N scale RDC-1s, the RDC-2 and RDC-3 feature the same level of details, both on the roof, inside the car and of course the underbody! | Check out the etched-metal radiator and fan grille detail on the blister. | |
The Rapido N Scale Budd RDC-2 and RDC-3s feature:
- Designed from original blueprints and 3D scans!
- Accurate RDC-2 and RDC-3, Phase 1 and Phase 2 body details
- Either fabricated or cast trucks, as appropriate
- Single-motor, all-wheel drive for unparalleled reliability
- All-wheel electrical pickup
- Directional headlights and red marker lights
- LED interior lighting
- Tinted windows and fully detailed interiors
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- DC/Silent (DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound)
- Suggested minimum radius: 12"
Here are the paint schemes for the N Scale Budd RDC. (There's a LOT!)
| | The N scale Budd RDC-2 and RDC-3 Railcars have an order deadline on March 16th, 2026. This might seem a while out but it'll be here before you know it! So please order these RDCs from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
Phew! That was a lot of launches. I need a six month holiday.
Jason: Great work! You can take Monday morning off until 9.
Bobby: Gee. Thanks.
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A Special Visitor to Lance Mindheim's Los Angeles Junction!
Our decorated pre-production samples have arrived and we sent them to the proper person to film them: Lance Mindheim. He has an amazing Los Angeles Junction layout, albeit now set to the 1960s. The CF7 Locomotives look right at home no matter what the era is.
Please note there is a blue band on the end of the long hood on this sample which will be yellow in production. Once you see it, you can't unsee it...
Click here or the photo box above to watch.
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Rapido and Me
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!).
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Here are two photos sent to us from Andrew Croft.
It's an Angus Van on a much larger Angus Van, taken on Galliano Island, British Columbia.
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Here's a neat photo sent to us by Steven Hamilton.
It features our F40PHM-2 and Budd Gallery Cars on his St. Marshall Subdivision layout.
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Railroad Hobby Show (Springfield) — January 24th and 25th, 2026
The famous Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show right around the corner! This year we'll be in the Better Living Center, booth: 23. We're right next to the Amherst Belt Lines module, so come on over and check us out while you watch train after train!
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Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items are here and shipping!
Please note, all of our hobby shop shipments are up to date. If you haven't received your new product orders, please speak with your dealer. All dealers in good standing have received their shipments.
Don't see the model you're looking for, above? Click here to visit our delivery schedule to find out where it might be.
| | The boxes really give off a nostalgic look and feel! | The back wall tiling, platform details and the third rail all look superb! | |
The end gates really give it a prototypical look.
Below, the neat sign on the station display.
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Boston and Main FTs!
Below we see the Santa Fe Warbonnets taking shape.
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New York, Ontario & Western FTs.
Below we have the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy FTs.
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Above we see the interiors of the Toronto Subway Cars.
The roof tops of the cars are seen below.
| Check out the AAR Boxcars! | VIA Rail and Canadian National Balloon Tops. | | |
That's a wrap on our Christmas newsletter. We really hope you enjoyed it! We'll be back in early January to discuss the order deadlines as well as look ahead to February. Until then, keep enjoying the day and stay warm!
“Oh, that there. That. That's an R-V.”
Bobby Allard
I've checked those lists twice and EVERYONE is NAUGHTY.
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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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