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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 220
©2026 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
Happy New Year! We're ringing in 2026 with some very important order deadlines and a special announcement.
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In the 220th issue...
- The Big (West) Springfield Show Launch and Livestream
- January Order Deadlines
- February Order Deadlines
- Rapido and Me
- New Videos
- Events and Shows
- Project Updates (GP38 and E7 Roadnumber Changes)
- 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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The Big (West) Springfield Show Launch and Livestream
The Amherst Railroad Hobby Show is almost here—and Rapido is going big! We’ll be live-streaming from the show at 9:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, January 24th, where we’ll unveil two brand-new, truly gigantic announcements you won’t want to miss. If you’re attending in person, be sure to stop by and see us at our new location in the Better Living Center, pole/booth 23 this year. Whether you’re watching from home or joining us on the floor, West Springfield, Massachusetts is the place to be on January 24th and 25th!
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Order Deadline: January 15th, 2026
A LOT of deadlines this month!
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HO Scale F30A and F30D MOW Fleet
The order deadline for the HO Scale F30A and F30D MOW Fleet is just a week away on January 15th. These cars have been one of our most successful freight car models in recent Rapido history! We're so glad that you guys love it! Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered.
Click here or the photo above to watch the video.
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Here is the Continuous Welded Rail Flatcar with the rail racks. Please note that the ribbon rail will not be included with these cars—you'll have to source those on your own.
We wanted to show an updated Wheel Transport Car render but there's a delay with the redesign from the factory. We'll show an updated design after the deadline. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram or a future newsletter for those updates (this includes new samples!).
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The BNSF Concrete Tie Flatcar above and the BN versions, below.
Note: the tie loads are also removable!
| We have a bunch of different HO Scale F30A and F30D MOW Flatcars to pick from: Continuous Welded Rail, Wheel Transport, Concrete Ties and Camp Cars. We received some wheel flat and rail car samples but Bill is making some final tweaks with the factory so we will show you them when newer samples arrive. (Some tweaks are not noticeable. In this case, they were very noticeable and need to be fixed before we can show them.) Once we get these in and photographed, we'll post them to our Facebook and into a future newsletter. Keep checking back! | |
The F30A and F30D MOW Flatcar features:
- Die-cast chassis and deck for optimum weight
- Correct trucks (PRR 2E-F10, roller-bearing converted or full roller-bearing trucks)
- Turned metal wheels
- Full brake rigging
- Detailed wheel, concrete tie or rail racks per appropriate car
- Separate grab irons
- Semi-scale metal knuckle couplers
- Free-rolling trucks with profiled metal wheelsets
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
We have lots of art to show off. First we have the CWR schemes.
| Next are the Wheel Flat schemes. | Here are the Tie Flat schemes. | Last but not least, we have the Camp Car variations. | We're confident that once these cars hit the shelves, they'll sell out fast....again! Order them from your favorite dealer or directly through us. | | |
Order Deadline: February 16th, 2026
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HO Scale Budd M3 and M3A Railcars
The Budd M3 and M3A Railcars are doing great! A new sample video will be up on our YouTube before the order deadline of February 16th. The photo above is of our actual pre-production samples, taken at the factory this week! These are heading into production with a delivery later in 2026. This project has taken some time, but we can't wait to see these on your layouts!
MTA facilitated a special recording session of the sounds of the real M3 trains, so your M3 model will come with 100% accurate sounds recorded from the real thing! This is going to be SO AWESOME!
Until then, here are the schemes and variations we are offering for this initial run.
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Trainworld Exclusive — LIRR M3s
Trainworld is offering the LIRR M3 Railcars in the unique blue side stripe with yellow ends. These cars also feature the two-tone "M" logo and do not have the high headlight. They'll be available in three different roadnumber sets.
Order now from Trainworld!
| Order these cars from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
HO Scale Superior Stainless Budd Coaches (Steam Heat and HEP Versions)
Finally! The HO Scale "Superior Stainless" Budd Coaches have a final order deadline set for February 16th. Some of these were launched about two years ago! We're excited to get these cars into production as pre-orders have been really strong. Thank you to all of you who have ordered! The Budd Coaches go great with the E-Units and F40PH-2D Locomotives!
Next month, we'll have a more in-depth review of these passenger cars. The factory says that the tooling for the new HEP1 and HEP2 variations will be ready by the end of the month so our fingers are crossed that we can get some samples of those before the order deadline.
For now, here are the schemes. First up are the US steam heat versions followed by the Canadian steam heat and HEP versions.
US Steam heat versions:
| Get your orders in for the Superior Stainless Budd Coaches. You can do so through your favorite hobby shop or directly from us. | | |
HO Scale Northeastern Caboose
The HO Scale Northeastern Caboose is also closing out in February. This run includes the popular Lehigh Valley "solid frame" version with the unique porthole end windows. In addition, we also have new schemes on the Duryea frame versions as well. And to cap all of that off, we also have Lehigh Valley 1776, a tribute to the nation's 1976 Bicentennial.
Below are the schemes.
| | Does your rear need a nice caboose? Order all of your favorites before the order deadline. You can do so from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
HO Scale F40PH-2D Locomotive
The HO Scale Rebuilt F40PH-2D closes out in February. One of our most popular Canadian diesels we've produced, this release features new roadnumbers, the "love the way" wraps (for the first time) and we're also introducing our MoPower capacitors into these locomotives.
Jason: They really need them. The first run loco wheels were covered in goo from the factory. It takes forever to clean it off! We've come a long way since then...
Bobby: Whoah! Our boss is dissing our own product! That's a new one. So you heard it from him - you need to get some of these new F40 locomotives for your layout!
Below, we have the scheme variations for this run.
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Don't forget: VIA Rail 6403 is back and with it, ten lucky customers will receive a free, crisp, mint, uncirculated $10 bill with The Canadian on one side.
Get your orders in for 6403 and the other F40PH-2Ds. You can do so through your favourite hobby shop or directly from us.
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N Scale Comet Cars
The N Scale Comet Cars will also close on February 16th, which means it's time to get your orders in for these popular commuter cars. Do you need more cars for your commuter trains? We have a ton of new schemes for you to pick from, including the MBTA 250th car with the American Flag wrapped on the side.
We'll take a closer look next month. Until then, here are the schemes we are offering for this run.
| | Order your Comet Cars from your favorite store or directly through us. | | |
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!).
| RS18s at speed! David Gray sent us this neat photo of two RS18s pulling a string of Tempo Cars at the K&I Model Railroad Club. | |
David Greenberg finished up this awesome Kasgro rider car from one of our Angus Vans.
The caboose certainly looks "red 'n ready"!
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Rapido YouTube Shorts
Have you seen our YouTube shorts? If not, click here or the photo above to head over to our YouTube shorts page. We're constantly adding new videos every few days, so subscribe to get the latest alerts when we post something new!
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Cocoa Beach Prototype Meet — January 8th - 10th, 2026
This weekend, Bill is at the Prototype Rails RPM at Cocoa Beach, Florida, where the temperature is supposed to be in the high 70s.
(Ed: For all you metric people, you have to double it and add 30, so high 70s is really high 180s. Man that's hot!)
Get your Florida-themed shirt on, grab an iced drink and join Bill on January 8th through the 10th. He'll be bringing some of our new samples and will be capable of answering some of your pressing questions, like... "How's your Mustang?"
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Railroad Hobby Show (West Springfield) — January 24th and 25th, 2026
The Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show is later this month! This year we have an all-new booth location and a much larger setup at the Better Living Center, Pole/Booth 23. Come on out, rain, snow or shine and see all of our latest samples and newest announcements!
As mentioned above, we'll be making a LIVE ANNOUNCEMENT at 9:30AM. See us in-person or watch the livestream on social media. We'll have a newsletter go out following the start of this announcement.
As even more incentive to stop by the booth on Sunday, rumor has it that Jason Shron will be there. Don't miss your chance to see him! And ask, "Hey, where can I get those groovy 1970s bellbottoms?" and "When are you making an Enterprise D in HO scale?"
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Project Updates — GP38 and E7 Roadnumber Changes
The GP38 and the E7 Locomotives have had some roadnumber changes. Let's take a look at what changed. We'll start off with the GP38.
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HO Scale E7 — Spokane, Portland & Seattle
We've adjusted the artwork slightly to better represent the era 750 wore. Check out the art, above.
We were really down to the wire with that Christmas launch. We apologize for having to make these changes. If you look up "Seat of their pants" in the visual dictionary, you'll see a picture of us.
Note we will be updating a lot of that art as well, beyond just the SP&S loco.
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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.
| | More FTs. Above are the Reading A-units. Below, we see the Milwaukee versions. | | The SW9s are in the paint shop. | | Just in...the Drop Bottom Gondolas. | | |
1937 AAR Boxcars! The Canadian Pacific "Spans the World" above.
Below, the iconic New Haven orange looks great on NHRHTA's exclusive run. Order them here.
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That's it for this short, early January newsletter. We'll be back later in this month (twice) with some new announcements.
Bobby Allard
Long Live "The Ralph" 🏟️
It's Table Breaking Season
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Canada: 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, ON L3R 5H5
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