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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 236
©2026 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
We're bringing you this issue of Rapido News from Rapido's American HQ in Buffalo, New York, which is a short drive from the sunny southern shore of Lake Ontario and not far from the famous Finger Lakes of Ontario County, New York. We're also bringing you this issue from our Canadian HQ in Ontario, Canada, located a short GO Train ride away from the beautiful north shore of Lake Ontario. You could even say that Rapido's two headquarters are connected in space and in spirit by the shimmering waters of Lake Ontario.
We have some exciting new locomotive schemes and variations and a brand new commuter car. Like a comet in the night, let's shoot off into space!
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In the 236th issue...
- A Statement From Jason On Preordering
- New Book
- The Cars of VIA, Heritage Fleet: Volume 3, Cars 1110 to 2019
- New Announcements
- HO Scale CF7 Locomotive
- HO Scale F40PH Locomotives
- HO Scale Pullman-Standard Comet I Cars
- HO Scale Comet II Cars
- New Exclusive
- HO Scale GP40 Locomotive — WMRHS
- New Videos
- Upcoming Shows
- Home Shops Spotlight
- Rapido and Me
- New Employee Spotlight: Eric Williams
- A Note From Nat
- 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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So, About Those Preorders...
Hi everyone,
Jason here. I need to talk with you again about preorders. Please, please, please preorder before the order deadline. Unlike Oscar the Grouch, we won't tell you to "scram" if you place an order after the order deadline but often we won't be able to fill it. Here's why.
We can't afford to make a ton of inventory. Making thousands of extra models hoping they will sell is not a good use of our resources. We would rather put that money into tooling new products.
We base our production numbers on our preorders. Say we get orders for 1000 pieces. We might make 100 or 150 extra to have in stock. (All of these numbers are just examples.)
Lately we've found our preorders have been lower than usual, but then the orders shoot up after the order deadline.
In our example, we get the orders before the deadline for 1000 pieces, and we tell the factory to make 1150. But between the order deadline and delivery, we get orders for 400 more. We then have to turn away 250 orders, and sometimes a few slip through and those customers are disappointed to learn when the shipment arrives that the train they ordered was actually sold out before they ordered it.
We can't just up our inventory to 30% or 40%, because not all products get a zillion late orders; just some of them do.
The solution is simply to place your order with your favorite hobby shop or directly with us before the order deadline. Then we have a better idea of how many we need to make and you can rest easy knowing that your order is locked in.
This Rapido Public Service Announcement was brought to you today by the letters X and Y and the number 2πR.
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NEW! The Cars of VIA: Heritage Fleet, Volume 3, Cars 1110 to 2019
By Richard Longpré with Christopher Greenlaw and Marc Dufour
Sleeping and dining car service is the apex of First-Class travel by rail, and this book is packed with the equipment that provided this experience during the early decades of VIA. Come along with us and revisit VIA’s heritage fleet with a comprehensive walkthrough of each type of car replete with interior photos and action shots.
| | This volume is bookended by cars with staggered windows starting with the fifty-two 4-8-4 E-series sleepers. These venerable cars are followed by both the ex-CNR and ex-American Green-series 6-6-4 sleepers. A survey of VIA’s entire smoothside dining car fleet from kitchen to table including the various tableware and crockery settings comes next. Both the equipment built by Pullman-Standard as well as the homemade dining car conversions done by CN in the mid-1960s are featured. | We return to sleeping car service with a look at the unique 4-4-5-1 Windigo and Manitou and finish with the magnificent 24-duplex roomette I-series cars. As ever, a comprehensive roster detailing the history and disposition of each car is included along with diagrams and a detailed specification sheet. The Cars of VIA: Volume 3 is a must for every serious enthusiast or Canadian passenger car historian with delivery estimated in October this year — reserve your copy today! | | |
NEW SCHEMES! HO Scale Santa Fe CF7 Locomotive
The HO Scale CF7 Locomotive is back with popular new schemes! Our initial run was a big hit and we're excited to launch the next run featuring a large selection of secondary owner roadnames and paint schemes. Saddle up and watch the launch video.
Click here or the photo above.
| Here are three decorated CAD renders of the new schemes. | In the late 1960s, Santa Fe’s F-unit fleet was nearing the end of their lifespan. At the same time, Santa Fe was looking to fulfill a need for nearly 200 plus "road switcher" locomotives for use in local service. High costs from GE and EMD led the Santa Fe back to the locomotive rebuild concept. Santa Fe's Cleburne Shops was tasked with this famous program. As the Santa Fe retired their CF7 fleet in the mid-1980s most of them were resold to new owners across North America. | The classic Ashley, Drew and Northern CF7 in the iconic green. | Aside from their new long hoods, rehabbing of the trucks, prime mover and cutting off the trusses of the F-Unit, they also received new cabs. As the rebuilding program picked up, it was soon determined that parts needing to be fitted to the rooflines would have to be custom built over using stock parts. Out came the "Topeka" style cab — even though it was the Cleburne Shops that made them. From start to finish, the program took just 45 days to complete for each CF7 Locomotive! | The Bicentennial CF7 from our initial run. It displays the neat details these venerable locomotives have to offer including the square cab, raised antenna plate and Stratolite. | It's all about the details! Lit control stands and tons of underbody piping, traction motor detail and contoured fuel tanks. These are from the initial run. | |
Here's what the Rapido HO Scale CF7 Locomotives feature:
- Five different cab variations
- Two different hood variations
- Open and closed sill assemblies
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Cannon and Company licensed 36” cap top radiator fan designs
- Incredible underbody details including piping, draft gear, sand lines and much more
- Etched grills and steps
- Heavy, die-cast chassis
- 5-pole motor with dual flywheels
- Lit control stand gauges!
- Working headlights, ground lights, number boards and beacons
- Operating ditch lights where appropriate
- Separate metal grab irons and handrails
- Insane amount of roadnumber-specific details
- Full, multi-color interior
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound) options
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC power
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
OK, now for the CF7 schemes!
| | The order deadline for these CF7s is on December 15th, 2026. Many schemes from our initial run sold out before they hit the shelves, so you won't want to wait to order these awesome locomotives. You can do so from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
NEW SCHEMES AND VARIATIONS: HO Scale F40PH Locomotive
The HO Scale F40PH Locomotives are back! You asked and we delivered. But wait, there's more! This run includes some never before offered models in plastic: The early Metra F40PHs, the rebuilt Metra F40PH-3s and the F40PH-2CATs. Meow. 😼
Click here to watch the launch video.
| Here are the CAD renders of the new schemes. | The F40PH is one of the most recognizable North American passenger locomotives and has been seen in service all over North America for the last 50 years. Built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors starting in 1976 for Amtrak, these were adopted by commuter operations in both Canada and the United States. Owing to their versatile design and based on the freight service GP40-2, many are still in service today! | |
A later production F40PH leads a train through Los Angeles.
Below, we're back in Los Angeles, this time to catch the elusive Metrolink 800.
Both photos courtesy of Craig Walker.
| Like the GP40-2, the F40PH featured a turbocharged EMD 645E3 V16 cylinder diesel engine generating 3000 horsepower (later units were bumped up to 3200 HP). Geared for a maximum of 79, 103 or 110 MPH, these became popular in long distance, intercity and commuter service. To provide heating, lighting and air conditioning, the F40PH featured a Head End Power (HEP) generator connected by alternator to the prime mover. | The early F40PH which featured the Metropolitan Rail moniker below the Metra wordmark. Note it lacks the air conditioning units, white sill stripe and ditch lights. It also has the original fuel tank and electrical box configuration. | Metra 102 leads a short train out of Chicago Union Station as the Chicago Skyline looms in the background. Photo courtesy of Bob from Bay Ridge. | |
Metra, one of the largest users of F40PHs, has over 80 on their roster. Many have been rebuilt to -3 standards by ProgressRail which includes an EM2000 system, new wiring and more. Externally, these have a few subtle differences than the original F40s on their roster.
The original F40PHs feature a bunch of subtle differences which includes fuel tank placement. The rebuilt F40PH-3s will be the first in HO Scale to have the correct details, which includes the correct plow, fuel tank size and placement, small door window and much more!
In the mid-2020s, a few received special wraps and graphics. 104 wears a tribute wrap of the City of Chicago while 147 sports Operation Lifesaver graphics.
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The rebuilt F40PH-3 in the new blue scheme looks great.
Small door window, correct plow, longer fuel tank and PTC antennas.
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Metra 104 blasts under the iconic CP Morgan signal bridge on the C&M Subdivision.
Photo courtesy of Bob from Bensonhurst.
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But wait, there's more! We just received our first HO Scale Milwaukee and Rock Island Gallery Car samples! These'll look great with the Metra F40s!
Now, onto those CATs!
| Who likes boxes? F40PH boxes, that is. The F40PH-2CAT have a very box-like appearance with their extended carbody, which houses the Caterpillar generator. | |
Do you like cats? On many later F40PHs and rebuilds, the HEP generator was powered by a separate Caterpillar auxiliary diesel engine at the rear of the carbody. This often necessitated the extension of the body to accommodate the additional engine. NJ TRANSIT and Caltrain both extensively used this model and luckily for some, a handful still exist in revenue service!
In fact, there are TWO still in-service on NJ TRANSIT and at one point were run back-to-back on a few revenue runs.
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NJ TRANSIT 4119 and 4120 lead 1171 to Suffern. The World Trade Center stands proudly in the background. Below, Metro-North 4914 pushes an inbound Montclair-Boonton Line shuttle towards Newark Broad Street through the cut at Watsessing. Diesels are rare on this run.
Photos courtesy of Bob from Bushwick.
| Caltrain 900 leads a train in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Jordan Smith. | Caltrain's original 20-unit order of F40PH-2s went through a rebuild in the late-1990s and early-2000s. Much like NJ TRANSIT's F40PH-2CATs, these also received a six-cylinder Caterpillar generator to power the HEP. This meant the prime mover did not have to run at a constant 900 RPM to power the HEP for the train, resulting in a much quieter ride for the engineer. | Many schemes from our initial run sold out before they hit the shelves, so you won't want to wait to order these awesome locomotives. You can do so from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
HO Scale Pullman-Standard Comet I Railcars
New Jersey. Known for the Sopranos, traffic and, of course, some of the most famous commuter rail operations in the United States. For over 40 years, the Pullman-Standard "Dieseliner" Comet I Railcars plied the rails of NJ TRANSIT's Hoboken Division. From their iconic Leslie horns to their unique low doors, these cars carried New Jersey to and from work, everyday.
Click here or the photo above to watch the launch video.
| | 3D decorated CAD renders, but this brings me back to a simpler time! | | |
In the early 1970s, Erie Lackawanna acquired 155 Pullman-Standard “Dieseliners”, funded by the State of New Jersey. These passenger cars featured modern lighting and climate control, supplied by a diesel with head-end power (HEP) capabilities.
The EL/NJDOT fleet consisted of 35 cab cars, 110 “trailer” coaches and 10 bar cars, wearing a striking black window band with red striping on top of a brushed aluminum carbody. All cars featured automatic low doors, since high level platforms were uncommon on the EL system.
| Tiger stripes! These were applied when some of the Comet Is were assigned to Atlantic City service. They looked awesome with the striping. | |
Between 1985 and 1987, Bombardier rebuilt 32 cab cars (three had been wrecked previously) which included high door conversions for use at high level platforms. The coaches were also rebuilt, however 61 retained their low doors while 45 received the high door conversions. Low door coaches retained their EL-delivered 1700 series numbers while the high door cars got NJ TRANSIT-assigned 5700-series numbers.
In the early 1990s, some of the Comet I fleet was reassigned to Atlantic City service. All cab cars assigned to AC received high visibility orange and black “tiger” stripes on their cab fronts. By the mid-1990s, all of these cars were reassigned back to their home territory on the Hoboken Division. This was their home until their retirement in the late-2000s.
| NJ TRANSIT 5134 fades into the Sunset, leaving Mountain Lakes. Below, a tiger-striped cab car pulls into Glen Rock on the Main Line. Photos courtesy of Bob from Bloomfield. | |
In 2007, NJ TRANSIT retired the Comet I fleet. But the story didn't there! Twenty-five low door coaches were sold to UTA's FrontRunner. Twenty of these cars were leased to Metrolink to aid in their car shortage, many wearing the FrontRunner red, white and blue wraps! Metrolink also leased 15 cars directly from NJ TRANSIT, starting in 2009.
SEPTA of Philadelphia bought six coaches and two cab cars to supplement their existing fleet of Comet IIs. They currently use one cab car on their gel-wash leaf fighting train.
A handful have also found their way into museums across the United States, with a full set in California and select amount of cars staying in New Jersey.
| Here comes a Metrolink train with a leased FrontRunner Comet I. The bright red, white and blue wrap looks great on the brushed metal car. Photos courtesy of Craig Walker. | |
Side note: You may have noticed this announcement only has the rebuilt high door cab cars and low door sliders. We fully intend to produce the original low door cab cars once we secure a license to use the NJDOT logo. This also goes for the U34CHs. So for our 1970s modelers, the wait will be well worth it!
OK, back to the cars. Don't forget about that iconic chugga chugga GE power!
General Electric’s U34CH Locomotive was the diesel teamed up to operate these push-pull cars. The "bluebirds" created a signature look for New Jersey's commuter operations for over 30 years. After the U34CHs were retired in the mid-1990s, the F40PHs as well as other locomotives continued to haul the Comet Is. And guess what? We're offering the cab cars with and without ditch lights, so you can model ALL eras!
| Seeing a U34 and a string of Comet Cars was everything I remember as a kid growing up! I have vivid memories of my grandmother taking me to the station for the evening rush and being mesmerized by the big GEs. | |
The P-S Comet I Railcars feature:
- Operating ditch lights on appropriate models per era
- High door cab cars and low door trailers
- Free-rolling, highly-detailed inside-bearing trucks with roller-bearing axles and metal wheelsets
- Full underbody and unrivaled interior detail
- Accurate painting and lettering, both inside and out
- Prototypically accurate tinted windows
- Metal side grab irons
- Constant interior lighting in DC and DCC
- Controllable cab car lighting in both DC and DCC
- MoPower capacitor for uninterrupted DCC lighting
- Suggested minimum radius: 22”
Check out the schemes for the cars. First up are the cab cars.
| | Order those Comet I cars now! Once we have a tooled sample for display, we'll announce an order deadline. Until then, from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | Hang on a minute! Do you need later Comets to go with your P32AC-DMs and MBTA F40s? We have just what you need! Scroll down. | | |
HO Scale Comet II Railcars
The Comet II Railcars are back! This popular commuter car brings all-new schemes and some new variations! Sit back and enjoy the new video about these cars.
Click here or the photo above to watch.
| Previous run Comets with updated graphics digitally applied. Note the addition of the new stickers MBTA has applied to the cars. | New for this run are the lower 1600 CTC-1B "blind end" cab cars. These have been converted into trailer coaches but retain their cab fronts and windows. They in turn have a steel plate over the control area as well as blanked headlight casing, removed pilot bar and horn. | The “Comet Cars” might be the most recognizable commuter rail car in North America. The original Comets were designed by Pullman-Standard for NJDOT (Erie-Lackawanna operated commuter services). In the early 1980s, Bombardier acquired the rights to continue building these cars with an order for NJ TRANSIT, successor to the NJDOT and E-L. Followup orders were placed by Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA), Metro-North and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT). | Previous run Comets Shoreliners with updated graphics digitally applied. Note the addition of the modern safety stickers Metro-North has applied to the cars. | An iconic feature of our Shoreliner cars are the detailed interiors with the correct seat colors. | |
Most of these cars are still in service today, nearly 40 years after rolling off the assembly line. MBTA has wrapped a few of their BTC and CTC-1B Cars for Operation Lifesaver, Massachusetts’ 250th anniversary honoring the Revolutionary War and for use on their laser train.
What is a laser train? The laser car uses high-intensity laser beams mounted below the underframe to vaporize crushed leaves, rust and oil off tracks without touching or damaging the rail. In the Fall, crushed leaves can leave an oily residue which can lead to braking issues. I've actually ridden on some trains that have slid right through the station due to this issue!
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The Comet II Railcars feature:
- Operating ditch lights on appropriate models per era
- Dual or single cab car windows per prototype
- Free-rolling, highly-detailed inside-bearing trucks with roller bearing axles and metal wheelsets
- Full underbody and unrivaled interior detail
- Accurate painting and lettering, both inside and out
- Prototypically accurate tinted windows
- Metal side grab irons
- Constant interior lighting in DC and DCC
- Controllable cab car lighting in both DC and DCC
- MoPower capacitor for uninterrupted DCC lighting
- Suggested minimum radius: 22”
Check out the schemes for the cars.
| | Order those Comet II cars today! You can do so from your favorite hobby shop or directly through us. | | |
NEW EXCLUSIVE!
Western Maryland Railroad Historical Society GP40 3798
We're proud to team up with the Western Maryland Railroad Historical Society to launch the WM 3798. The WM took delivery of five GP40s in 1971, all wearing the red, black and white scheme. The 3798 also had the distinction of being the last operating WM-painted locomotive to survive well into the CSX era.
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The WM 3798 features all of the standard qualities of our normal GP40s plus some neat WM-unique details, such as:
- Cab roof strobe lights
- Fireman's side-mounted bell on hood
- Ribbed blower duct
- Late dynamic brake housing
- And much, much more!
Supplies will be short, so make sure you order them ahead of time! Click the link below to email the WMRHS and tell them you want one with your info!
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HO Scale GP38 Maine Central Correction
While the rest of the HO Scale GP38 fleet is set to ship to stores and customers soon, we found an issue with our Maine Central GP38s thanks to many external friends of Rapido. These are being held while we correct the yellow used to a more accurate and agreed-upon shade. We also modified the art on top of the roof, as you can see in the image. Once the factory finishes the painting, we'll have a better idea of their ETA and will let you know accordingly. Thank you for your patience!
Please note that our online DC/Silent roadnumbers have sold out (see your hobby shop!), but we do have limited numbers of the DC/DCC/Sound left to order.
Until then, enjoy harvest (gold) season!
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NEW! Official Rapido Trains Beanie/Toques!
Hey fam, you asked and we delivered! The much requested Rapido Beanie/Toques are available for sale in two fantastic varieties: Retro and Camo. These make great holiday gifts, birthday gifts, a gift to your cold, bare head if you're follicularly challenged, and just an excellent piece of merch to wear during any of life's big events (interviews, driver's ed tests, weddings, gender reveal parties, and lounging on the beach).
The Rapido Toques/Beanies Feature:
- Warm, knitted fabric
- One size to fit most
- Two variations with separate top treatments, including a pom-pom top to serve as a beacon in a snowstorm or camouflage to disappear amongst the fir trees
- Limited quantities while supplies last
Let's check out the images of our paid models.
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The Original Retro Beanie
The classic blue-and-yellow Rapido Trains beanie with a glorious pom-pom on top. Just like sports teams that realize they should have brought back their old uniforms, we're throwing it back our original hats from the Mystery Boxes. It's a certified cold-weather classic, eh.
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The Camo Toque
Last year’s Mystery Box favorite is back, featuring our distinctive teal camouflage pattern and Rapido branding. It’s subtle enough for everyday wear, but unmistakably Rapido.
Both are now available for individual purchase, while supplies last. So if you missed them the first time around — or your original one mysteriously disappeared into another space or time through your laundry portal — now’s your chance to grab one!
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Yeah, you're seeing this right. It's called: stylin' and profilin'. (Nat disagrees.)
We're sure these will sell out fast, so get them while supplies last!
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HO Scale GP40TC First Sample
The first GP40TC samples have arrived and we take a close look at them. Come join Jeremy and his 1960s 3D scanner on this marvelous journey.
Click here or the photo above to watch.
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HO Scale GP9u and SW Slug Unboxing
The long awaited arrival of the GP9u and SW Slugs are here! Watch Jeremy chop everything in his house... very Roadhouse-esque. Anyway, come check out the excellent features of these iconic CP locomotives.
Click here or the photo above to watch.
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Second Batch! Another CF7 Unboxing
The second batch of the HO Scale CF7 Locomotives are in stores now! To help mark this occasion, we have a new video showing off all of the neat details. Join Jordan (and a special guest?) to unveil more CF7s.
Click here or the photo above to watch.
We have very few CF7s in stock. Click here to order yours today!
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NHRHTA Convention & Train Show — September 12th
The NHRHTA Convention & Train Show is at the Holiday Inn in New London, Connecticut. We'lll have our New Haven models on display and Alex can answer any of your questions you have. See if you can spot DJ Paul at the event, too.
Where: Holiday Inn, 35 Governor Winthrop Blvd, New London, Connecticut
When: September 12th
What to ask for: New Haven Washboards?
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Rapido US Meet and Greet — Sunday, October 4th
Our Meet and Greet at the Illinois Railway Museum is just over a month away! We're excited to be back and this time around, we're bringing some models that'll match the museum's collection! Come check out displays, ride some trains and take in all of the awesome displays the museum has to offer.
Where: Illinois Railway Museum, Union, Illinois
When: October 4th
What to say: The Hammond Bears! ...what, what?
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Colorado Rail Prototype Modelers Meet — October 16th to the 18th
The third annual Colorado Rail Prototype Modelers Meet returns this year and will be held at the Island Grove Event Center at Greeley, Colorado. Come on out to see our models and all sorts of other surprises!
Where: Island Grove Event Center, Greeley, Colorado
When: October 16th, 17th and18th
What to see: Those Ski Train models
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Freelance Focus: Golfo y Río Bravo (LFGR)
The Golfo y Río Bravo is a freelance Mexican regional railroad known for its dense Gulf‑coast traffic and cross‑border service into South Texas. From Matamoros to Altamira and south toward Tuxpan and Poza Rica, the GRB moves sugarcane products, cement, grain, packaged agricultural goods and port‑related freight.
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But wait, there's more!
To handle the high‑volume of traffic, the Golfo y Río Bravo relies heavily on its fleet of 100‑ton PC&F 4124 cu.ft. boxcars. The 40' 6" size is perfect for those older docks and tight industrial spurs.
To learn more about the modern Golfo y Río Bravo, click here!
Order the HO Scale PC&F 4124 cu.ft. Boxcars by clicking here.
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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!).
| This month's Rapido and Me was sent to us from Martin Keenan, President of the Burlington Model Railway Club. They received some of our BC Rail boxcars as part of the Trackside Community Outreach program. They sure look great behind the M420W and M420B! | | |
New Employee Spotlight: Eric Williams, Technical Artist
Eric has a life-long passion for trains, both as a photographer and model railroader. Originally from Washington State, but now residing in New Jersey, he will travel anywhere he can find weed chocked, backwoods railroading. His love for short and branch lines most definitely explains his obsession for the Milwaukee Road.
He also gets into the weeds at Rapido, pouring over locomotive and rolling stock photos to discern the finest graphic details, which he commits to product artwork. If our models have text that is too tiny to read by the naked eye, blame Eric.
Hair comment. Still has it, but a lot grayer and shorter than the blonde mohawk days of his youth.
| | On Eric Williams's shelf layout, a Waites River Railway 44-tonner brings a single loaded boxcar into town for delivery to the Fonda Lumber Company. When Eric purchased the Rapido models, he never dreamt that he would one day be working for them! | |
A Note Regarding Launches From Natasha
KHAAAAAAN! We have said it before, we have said it again, and we will probably say it several more times: our website needs a major update. Sorry to all the fans that were panicked recently about some VERY EARLY leaked artwork. We have since made our final changes to the website. Thankfully, a new website project is currently underway.
The less-good news is that, until the new site is ready, we are still dealing with our existing website. Every now and then, it develops a mind of its own and decides to publish pages, products, or artwork that we absolutely did not intend to make public yet. Sometimes this means that preliminary artwork, incomplete product information, or designs that are still being tweaked make their way onto the site before we are ready for them to see the light of day.
This is also one of the reasons you’ll see disclaimers on our initial product launches and artwork. Those disclaimers aren't just there because we reserve the right to make changes during the production process — they're also there because, occasionally, our website decides to give everyone an early sneak peek at something that was still very much behind the curtain.
We strongly recommend subscribing to our newsletter and/or YouTube channel if you want to see the most accurate and up-to-date launch information, product artwork, and announcements.
We know it can be exciting to discover something new on the site — and honestly, we love that you're looking. Your enthusiasm and support are a huge part of what keeps us doing what we do.
Just remember: if Rapido hasn't announced it officially yet, it may not be finished yet. And if you found it on our website before we announced it, there is a non-zero chance our website has once again decided to freelance. So don't panic, just wait until our official announcement!
Thanks, as always, for your patience, excitement, and continued support.
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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.
| | The Rock Island and Milwaukee Gallery car samples are here! | Note all of the specific details such as the smaller window and the fluting. | | The decorated U30CG samples are here and they look SUPERB! | |
Outside light makes these models look awesome. The glow is amazing.
Below, we see the weathered version which came out great.
| Look at those red spots mixed with some rust patches. We just can't enough of this loco. | Those splotches are from UV screen printing. Aamazing, isn't it? | The red and silver Warbonnet looks great but on a cowled U30CG, it looks dazzling. | See-through grilles really make this locomotive stand out. | | We have new N Scale F59PH models to show! | The classic GO green looks superb on these. | | |
The first look at the N scale Bilevel cars.
Above we see Metrolink while below, we have Vancouver's West Coast Express.
| Altamont Commuter Express! Those colors sure look good on a Bilevel car. | | |
This closes out our August new announcement newsletter. Next month we'll be back with back to school order deadlines and preview October's spooky deadlines. Until then, enjoy the last rays of Summer!
Bobby
Pool Noodle Historiographer and Aqualogist
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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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