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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 231
©2026 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
Welcome to another edition of Rapido News. This month we are discussing the very important LRC deadlines and highlighting July's order deadline; the U30CG. Alright, let's go get it!
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In the 231st issue...
- HO Scale CF7s... Going... Going...
- Introducing Rapido's Southwest Chief Adventure
- HO Scale GP40 Locomotive Order Deadline
- June Order Deadlines
- July Order Deadlines
- New Videos
- Events and Shows
- Home Shops Spotlight
- Rapido and Me
- Tooling, Factory and Shipping Updates
If you are using a web-based email service such as Gmail, be sure to click on the link at the top of this 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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HO Scale CF7s... Going... Going...
We made some inventory of the Santa Fe CF7s because we suspected that when ours arrived, people who have preordered a CF7 from a different company might want to order ours instead. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, as they say...
Our excess inventory is selling very fast – like over 200 locomotives a week – and we only have a few hundred left. That means we will likely be sold out by the end of the month. Get your orders in ASAP if you want to build a gorgeous Rapido CF7 fleet and finally replace those old RailPower models! They may have been great for the 1980s, but not so much for the 2020s...
Click here to order direct or simply contact your favorite hobby shop!
| Which cab front do you like the best? | |
Check out all of the details on the yellow and blue Warbonnet, above.
Below, the book end scheme with the round cab with the dual horns.
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Introducing Rapido's Southwest Chief Adventure
With Jason, Jordan and Jeff (the Midwest part)!
Due to the success of our last tour in the Bay Area, Jason and Jordan have decided to revisit some hobby shops, and clubs to discuss ongoing and future projects, as well as answer any questions you may have. Don't miss out on this expanded US tour! Mark your calendars for the following events:
- June 27th, Bay Area Prototype Modelers Meet — Kensington, CA
- July 1st, Reed's Hobby Shop — La Mesa, CA
- July 2nd, Arnie's Model Trains — Westminster, CA
- July 6th, The Train Shack — Burbank, CA
- July 7th-9th — Southwest Chief to Chicago
- July 9th, Des Plaines Hobbies — Des Plaines, IL
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Bay Area Prototype Modelers Meet — June 27th, 2026
Come check out the Bay Area Prototype Modelers Meet on Saturday, June 27, 2026. We'll have lots of samples on display as well as plenty of time to answer all of your questions about surfing or making eggs benedict with avocados. Come stop by! Special guest Vic Yoder and our very own Jordan Smith can't wait to see you (even if he looks like he wants to run away)!
Where: Arlington Community Church - 52 Arlington Ave - Kensington, CA
When: June 27th, 9AM to 5PM PDT
What to ask for: More SP models, of course!
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Reed's Hobby Shop / Meet and Greet — July 1st, 2026
Head on down to Reed's Hobby Shop on Saturday, July 1st, 2026. Look for our samples on display while you do some shopping. Jordan and Vic will happily answer any questions you have — especially the ones about the Espee.
Where: 8039 La Mesa Blvd - La Mesa, CA
When: July 1st, 6PM to 8PM PDT
What to do: Yoga in the parking lot... I mean hang out at the hobby shop.
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Arnie's Model Trains / Meet and Greet — July 2nd, 2026
Head on down to Arnie's Model Trains on Saturday, July 2nd, 2026. Look for our samples on display while you do some shopping. Jordan and Vic will happily answer any questions you have — especially the ones about the Espee.
Where: 6452 Industry Way, Unit A - Westminster, CA
When: July 2nd, Time TBD
What to look for: Our sample models and Jordan.
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The Train Shack / Meet and Greet — July 6th, 2026
Surf's up! Skim your way over to The Train Shack on Monday, July 6th, 2026. We'll be hanging out at this neat store in the evening, ready to answer any surfing question you have. No, seriously, we have no idea how to surf so please don't ask Jason, Jordan or Vic this!
Where: 1030 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA
When: July 6th, 4PM to 6PM PDT
What to ask: Where can I get that Dole-Whip drink you have?
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Travel Days on the Southwest Chief — July 7th-9th, 2026
On July 7th, Jason and Jordan will board the Southwest Chief for a fast run to Chicago! If you will be in on board, come hang out! If you won't be joining them for the ride, please come on out to extended station stops, wave to them or watch them whizz by on railcams as they take a cross country journey.
Train: Amtrak #4, the Southwest Chief
Where: The Southwest Chief route
What to do: Meet them at extended station stops or wave as they pass by!
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Des Plaines Hobbies / Meet and Greet — July 9th, 2026
Hey Chicagoland! We'll be at Des Plaines Hobbies on Thursday, July 9th, 2026. After our long trip on Amtrak, we'll be present at this great hobby shop with samples, smiles and answers to your questions. Join Jason, Jordan and Jeff — J3 for this event.
Where: 1524 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL
When: July 9th, 6PM to 9PM CDT
What to ask: Don't ask about the Big Boy.
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HO Scale GP40 Locomotive Order Deadline: September 15th, 2026
Before we get into the order deadlines for June, we wanted to remind you that last month we announced more HO Scale GP40 Locomotives. These have a short order deadline set for September 15th, 2026. These are guaranteed to sell out, so do not hesitate to order yours now directly from the website or your favorite hobby shop.
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Order Deadline: June 15th, 2026 - The Month of the LRC
- HO Scale LRC Sets
- HO Scale LRC Locomotives
- HO Scale LRC Cars
- N Scale LRC Sets, Locomotives
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Farewell to the LRC!
The Bombardier LRC Sets, Locomotives and Passenger Cars are just a few days away from their JUNE 15th, 2026 order deadline. These very important models formed the backbone of Canadian passenger service for 45 years. Our LRC locomotive models will be much improved over the first release back in 2015 and we hope you will reserve yours by next week's order deadline. Also, the LRC coaches may be on borrowed time but they are very much still in service because the Siemens sets keep breaking. So order your LRC coaches too!
Click here or the photo above to watch the new video.
You can also view our launch video – filmed at the real LRC #6917 hidden away in VIA's Toronto Maintenance Centre – by clicking here or on the image below.
| | The LRC is capable of 125 MPH operation, though it was restricted to 100 MPH in service. That didn't stop the speedy Metropolis express, running between Montreal, Dorval and Toronto in the 1990s. 3 hours 59 minutes was all it needed for the 335-mile run. This remains the fastest scheduled passenger service in Canadian railway history. BUT we KNOW you'll be doing it in less than an hour at a scale speed of 467 scale MPH on your layout! | | |
Special Gift Boxes for the LRC
The LRC is such an important piece of Canadian railway history that we are pulling out all the stops with special gift boxes. For both VIA and Amtrak fans, our sets will be the ultimate celebration of these amazing trains. Each set will contain:
- One LRC locomotive (DC/DCC/Sound)
- Three LRC cars (VIA – 1x VIA 1, 2x Coach. Amtrak – 3x Coach)
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A 48-page, full colour, profusely illustrated and oversized book celebrating the history of the LRC written by renowned Canadian railway historian and author, Kevin J. Holland
- Two LRC commemorative glasses
- A specially designed LRC tie clip and cuff links set, only to be worn for the most special of occasions!
- More stuff as we think of it!
Below we have the art for the special boxed sets.
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You will not want to miss out on this incredible LRC gift box. This is a special, once-in-a-lifetime offering. Trust us, we ain’t ever making this box again! You can order these through your favourite dealer or directly from us. Commemorate their history and dedicated service by ordering your HO or N sets today!
But wait, there's more...
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HO Scale LRC Locomotive
After many years the HO Scale LRC Locomotive has returned to much fanfare. Remember, those LRC locos also pulled Tempo Cars, blue & yellow cars and more! This means you not only need those sets but also a handful of single LRC engines.
The order deadline is also set for June 15th. You can order these through your favourite dealer or directly from us.
| We mentioned the LRC Locomotives operated on trains without the LRC cars. The next few photos shows off these occurrences. Remember, they led some wild consists! | |
VIA 6904 leads F40PH-2D 6446 and a conventional consist in London, Ontario. The size difference is wild between the two locomotives! All models made by Rapido!
Photo by C. Martin, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.
| VIA 6926 leads Amtrak 217 on the International. All locos made by Rapido, as well as that Tempo car on the end! Photo by W. D. Miller, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection. | |
Our new run of the LRC locomotive features some significant improvements:
- Tooling improvements to ensure the body shell is dead straight
- MoPower capacitor system for reliable operation even on dirty track
- New LokSound V5 sound decoder with remastered sounds recorded from LRC 6921
- New high quality speakers with strong bass
- Improved reliable metal couplers
- Improved wheel face profile
In addition, the model features:
- Measured from preserved LRC 6921 and original blueprints
- Etched-metal grilles with radiator fan detail
- Full cab interior
- Full lighting package: headlights, ditch lights, marker lights, backup light, track lights and strobe light
- Separate metal handrails, grab irons and lift rings
- Optional bug deflector
- Minimum radius: 18”
And now for the schemes! We've got two cool demo schemes that we've never done before!
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Make sure you don't miss out on these since we don't anticipate running them again for a loooong time!
Order those LRCs from your favourite hobby shop or directly through us. Don't forget the order deadline is on JUNE 15th, 2026.
Whoa Whoa Whoa, it looks like there's something else...
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HO Scale LRC Cars
The LRC Coaches were the backbone of VIA’s Corridor fleet. Now, as they're being phased out we are giving them the attention they deserve in HO scale! These awesome cars also have an order deadline of June 15th. We'll be back next month with a much more in-depth look at them.
Until then, you can order these through your favourite dealer or directly from us.
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Our LRC Coach Model, based on the LRC-2 and LRC-3 design, includes all the necessary LRC details. Depending on which paint scheme you order, you will get the correct seating configuration of either 2+2, 50/50, or 2+1. The axles have ball bearings to ensure they roll extremely well despite being of an inside-bearing design, and the lighting board contains capacitors to avoid flickering lights over unpowered frogs or dirty track. HEP cables, super-fine stirrup steps and etched-metal end gates or bars spice up the car ends.
All of the major LRC paint scheme variations are included in this run. For the first time, we’re doing the current “The future is on board” paint scheme in HO scale.
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The LRC Cars feature:
- Correct car profile based on original blueprints
- Business Class car including modern 2+1 seating
- Coaches feature correct colour scheme including brown (1981-1992), green (1992-2016), “greige” (2012+) and charcoal (2016+)
- Track-powered “Easy-Peasy” interior lighting and working marker lights operated by magnetic wand (included)
- Capacitor installed for flicker-free lighting over dirty track
- Super-detailed, free-rolling trucks and wheelsets
- Detailed diaphragms with etched-metal end gates
- Separate grab irons installed at the factory
- Improved metal couplers installed at the correct height
- Minimum radius: 18” (22” or larger recommended)
Check out the schemes for the LRC cars. First up are the VIA 1 and Business Class Cars.
| Next are the LRC coaches. | Celebrate the success of these long-lived passenger cars by ordering your LRC fleet today! Just in case you forgot, the order deadline is set for JUNE 15th, 2026.You can do so from your favourite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
N Scale LRC Locomotive and Sets
Hey N scalers, the N Scale LRC Locomotives and Sets this project needs some help! We really want to push this project to the next level but we need enough orders to do so. JUNE 15th, 2026 is the conditional order deadline.
Here is Jeremy's newest video about these neat models. Click here or the photo above to watch the video.
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Special Gift Boxes for the N LRC
The LRC is an important piece of Canadian railway history. Like the HO scale version, we are pulling out all the stops with special gift boxes. For both VIA and Amtrak fans, our sets will be the ultimate celebration of these amazing trains. Each set will contain:
- Three LRC cars (VIA – 1x VIA 1, 2x Coach. Amtrak – 3x Coach)
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A 48-page, full colour, profusely illustrated and oversized book celebrating the history of the LRC written by renowned Canadian railway historian and author, Kevin J. Holland
- Two LRC commemorative glasses
- A specially designed LRC tie clip and cuff links set, only to be worn for the most special of occasions!
- More stuff as we think of it!
Yes N scalers, we didn't forget you! These are only for the boxed sets.
| I only run freight, I don't need passenger trains. We've heard that phrase all too often. Of course you need the LRC Locomotives and Sets! Interrupt those operations with intercity trains weaving in and out of those long, slow freights or simply run your train at 13,267 scale MPH around the layout to the dismay of everyone else. | |
The N Scale LRC Locomotive and Sets feature:
LRC Locomotive
- Working headlights, ditch lights, number boards
- Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Incredible underbody detail including separate piping
- Different rooftop details for different paint schemes
- Accurate LRC Locomotive sounds on sound-equipped models
- Will operate smoothly on DC and DCC layouts
- Equipped with MoPower capacitor, for uninterrupted DCC operation
- Suggested minimum radius: 11”
LRC Passenger Cars (Sets)
- Working marker lights
- Etched-metal stirrups
- Full interior detail with accurate colours and tinted windows
- Track-powered interior lighting compatible with DC and DCC
- Suggested minimum radius: 14”
Now, for the schemes and variations of these neat LRC models.
| Here are the single locomotives. | We still have some availability on our recent run of LRC coaches in case you want to order more. We also added Amtrak single coaches to the run! | |
OK N scalers, this is it! The conditional order deadline is June 15th, just a few days away. We KNOW you can do this.
You can order these from your favourite hobby shop or directly through us.
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Order Deadline: July 15th, 2026
- HO Scale U30CG Locomotive
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HO Scale Santa Fe U30CG Locomotive
The Rapido HO Scale Santa Fe U30CG Locomotive now has an order deadline set for July 15th. Celebrate America's birthday with a truly American passenger locomotive. Next month we'll be back with a new video showing off the model WITH SOUND! Until then, check out some of the early tooled sample photos, below.
Note from Jason:
Hi guys! We really want to get this into production so we are trying to close the order book without waiting several months for decorated samples. We are asking you, our customers who are U30CG fans, to get the word out so we can produce this more quickly with an early 2027 delivery.
If we don't get enough preorders by July 15th, we will have to postpone the order deadline in order to commission painted samples and that will delay delivery until late 2027.
Sorry for this interruption! Now back to Bobby...
| Look at all of that detail! Even the underframe is packed with cables, wires and piping. | Traction motor details and etched-metal parts... ooh-la la! | | |
Here are the schemes for the U30CGs. Note the two weathered units, which will use UV 3D printing to achieve the effect. We're super excited about those!
Note that the weathered units are slightly higher in price but well worth the cost for that detail.
| Order those extremely popular U30CG Locomotives today! You can do so from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
HO Scale B-100-32 and -34 Boxcars
The HO Scale B-100-32 and -34 Boxcar decorated samples are here! We have to gloat about how good they look. Watch as we show them off in this new video.
Click here or the photo above to watch.
Psst, we also have some sample shots, below. We're relaunching these later this month and we'll be finally closing the order book on August 17th. The orders have been really low for these cars, and this confuses us because this is a unique, modern, 40' boxcar that travels all over the USA and Canada. So we're giving this one last shot and then we're making them, even if the orders continue to suck. And then, no doubt, we will sell out within two days of their arrival and everyone will complain that they can't find them anywhere.
PLEASE preorder your B-100-32 and 34 boxcars if you want them!
| | Look at that crisp printing! | Nothing beats outdoor photography when shooting new models. | | |
The St. Louis Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet — July 24th and 25th
The St. Louis RPM will once again be held at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, Illinois. We'll be bringing an assortment of models to show off. So, get yourself some concrete and t-ravs and head on over to the show!
(Ed: We don't know what Bobby is talking about, but he assures us it is real St. Louis slang. We think it's a ChatGPT fantasy.)
Where: Gateway Convention Center - Collinsville, IL
When: July 24th and 25th
What to bring: Your best questions and model suggestions!
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Freelance Focus: Georgia Road
Hank Stephens’ Georgia Road brings Appalachian grit and Southern mainline power to life, blending classic regional flavor with a modern, believable roster. At the heart of the fleet are the road’s signature SD70MACs — heavy haulers in bold Georgia Road colors, now available for preorder from Rapido. Don’t miss your chance to add these iconic freelance brutes to your lineup.
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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!).
| Here we have a weathered Greenbrier 7780 Reefer from me, the Bobs. | A Conrail C30-7 cruises past a hi-rail truck on Dave Abeles' Onondaga Cutoff Layout. | | |
Dealer Open House 2026 Recap
This past week we hosted our annual Canadian open house for the dealers. We had a great turnout and saw lots of trains pass by on Canadian National's York Subdivision. Here's a few photos of the event!
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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 full delivery schedule to find out where it might be.
| | Here's a sneak peak at the CN 1501! These early decorated samples look great but we have a few things we'll be adjusting before production. We'll be back soon with a full spotlight on these and other the RDCs from this run. | | OOOO YEAHHHHHH! We also have the regular N scale F40PH-2Ds, too. | | Above we have Operation Lifesaver F40s! Below, the front looks great. | | |
The Hawker Siddeley Cabooses are almost here and we wanted to show you the weathered version. Enjoy this early decorated sample we just received!
We're adjusting the weathering on the car ends and toning down the shiny bright cages.
But you gotta agree this ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS.
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This closes out our June order deadline newsletter. We'll be back soon enough with even more exciting announcements!
Bobby
Go New York Go
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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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