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Rapido Newsletter Vol. 180
©2024 Rapido Trains Inc.
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Dear Rapido Customer,
We're ready to start off 2024 with a bang with the first of our January newsletters (there's so much happening, we could fill a book). Check out the contents below, then get ready for some exciting news!
Welcome to... Rapido News #180!
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This image needs no explanation for those of you who know what it is... | |
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In this 180th issue...
- Rapido Masterclasses
- HO Scale PA and PB-1 - Deadline Update March 15, 2024
- January 15th, 2024 Order Deadlines
- February 15th, 2024 Order Deadlines
- Home Shops B-70-69 Boxcars
Also other announcements...
- Upcoming Shows
- New Videos
- Product Updates
- We're Hiring! Yes, really!
- Petition for VIA Rail Canada
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 and artwork are subject to change before the final product release.
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Rapido Masterclasses
Ever wanted to know more about a model's prototype? Need info on the number of locos rostered or the lineage of a certain locomotive we offer? Just want some train trivia knowledge to brush up on before the next railfan pub night? Look no further than Rapido Masterclasses. Most of the models we offer have a masterclass (some with special guest writers!), and if they don't, we will add more in the future!
Get your history caps on and learn everything and anything you can about our prototypes.
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Surprise! Check out the new Santa Fe PA rebuild samples we just received.
These are early samples, so items may change upon final production.
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HO Scale PA and PB Locomotives - Deadline Update
Let's start off with an Alco PA Locomotive update: We have extended the order deadline until March 15th, 2024. This is to show off the brand-new factory samples we just received and to help get the word out to our Santa Fe customers. These just arrived - first test shots out of the molds!
Did you ever think we would see a ready-to-run model of 51 LAC? Neither did we! And of course we have lots of other paint schemes too!
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We're definitely replacing those plastic long handrails on the roof with metal.
Not sure what we were thinking there...
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HO Scale C30-7 Locomotive
The fan favorite HO Scale C30-7 deadline is almost up—be sure to order by January 15th!
It was really down to the wire, but we received our latest factory pre-production sample TODAY. Actually, we received it at lunch time, even though it left the fact a week ago!
So Jeff has moved mountains and made this wonderful short video for you. Please click here or on the image below to see the Rapido C30-7 in action! The production models will be 16 times better!
| Based on our preorders so far, this locomotive is on track to outsell even the ubiquitous GP38. We are so excited, and we just can't hide it. And we know, we know, we know, we know, we know you want one. | |
The NP Day-Nite coach looks amazing, interior and exterior. | |
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HO Scale Northern Pacific "Day-Nite" Coach
The conditional order deadline for the Northern Pacific Day-Night Coaches is just a few days away on January 15th. Be sure to take advantage of that sweet 5% early bird discount. Amtrak leased these cars for a few years in the early 1970s, so all 4.2 million of you who model 1970s Amtrak will need these for your rainbow consist. And it gives you an excuse to run NP in Virginia!
If the Day-Nite coach gets the green light, we'll look into more NP passenger cars—so fire up those orders!
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HO Scale BART Trains
The HO Scale BART Legacy Fleet is one of the most unique products we have ever announced. Now these cars are nearing their February 15th order deadline, which means they are one step closer to being delivered!
We just got new samples in, so check out the gorgeous shots below.
| These early pre-production samples look great! | |
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HO Scale Comet Commuter Cars
The HO Scale Comet Commuter Cars have been highly sought after passenger cars, judging by the silly money our first run cars can sell for on eBay. Make sure to grab a few of these before February 15th to maximize excitement on your layout. Take commuters to and from work, while delaying those lower priority freights, of course. But wouldn't it be nice for there to be a locomotive or two to pull these? Stay tuned...
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HO Scale Fruit Growers Express R7 Reefer
The HO Scale PRR-FGE R7 40' Wood Reefer is getting loaded up (not with produce) for the February 15th order deadline. That's a little over a month away, so load up your orders before the expiry date passes!
This car is doing surprisingly well. Thank you to all the PRR fans who request models, and then actually follow up by ordering them! Woo-hoo!
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HO Scale Pennsylvania Railroad X23 Boxcar
The Rapido PRR X23 40' Wood Boxcar is also chopping up to the February order deadline. We'll be back next month with a video discussing everything you need to know about these cars. Until then, check out these new samples we got!
PRR modelers please share these far and wide! Let's see if we can outsell the X31!
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HO Scale B-70-69 Boxcar - Home Shops Freelance Schemes
An exciting addition to the HO Scale SP B-70-69 Boxcar range is Home Shops' fleet of freelance-themed boxcars. Earlier this week our very own Project Manager, Jeff, was invited to discuss the production of these cars on the Second Section Podcast. He was joined by each freelance owner of the cars being produced.
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Trainland's meet and greet with Jason AND BILL is just a few days away. And yes, they will be to sign your Rapido box! Bring a sparkly Sharpie! | The annual Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show is back and will take place on January 27th and the 28th in West Springfield, Massachusetts. We will display nearly every sample we have and you can have a friendly conversation with our Project Managers. And swordfish. We look forward to seeing you there! | |
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Tooling, Shipping and Arrival Updates
LOTS of new items are arriving soon!
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Here come the M420s! The Providence and Worcester versions look sharp. | Note the unique headlight casings and the AAR-style trucks, a staple of the P&W builds. | The BC Rails! The M420s never looked so good. | And of course, the M420B units. Can you feel the excitement? | |
Two-tone green and Delaware-Lackawanna's iconic Alco-inspired scheme. | |
Check out Spring Creek's exclusive run of Iowa Interstate M420s. Click the photo for more info. | |
N Scale Dash 8-40CMs, nearly ready to ship. | |
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The SP B-70-69 boxcars look stunning!
Note the unnumbered car in this consist. You too can order any of our products (before the order deadline) without numbers. It's considered a special order and the minimum is six pieces. Please get in touch with us to build your new fleet! You can order undecs too!
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Well cars! In production now. | The Canadian Piggyback flatcars are almost ready. | |
A nice surprise: The Canadian National NSC 5304 Boxcar. They're through the paint shop and lettering is up next. | |
Who remembers Simpsons? At Yorkdale?
Wasn't that restaurant AMAZING?
Can you tell that Bobby did not write this caption? He's too young!
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Canadian trailers getting the final applications at the factory. | |
Can-Car 26' trailers above and N Scale Procor 5820 hoppers below | |
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Rapido is Hiring a New Project Manager!
Are you looking to feed your model train hobby even more?
We are looking to hire a full-time experienced Project Manager to do model design. As a PM, you will coordinate the design of new models, including creating 2D line drawings of real trains; creating paint scheme diagrams; communicating with the factories (via illustrated PDF documents and email); and working with the rest of the Project Management and Marketing & PR teams here.
Required Skills:
- Proficient in 2D drawing using Adobe Illustrator or Corel (OK Boomer)
- Know a lot about trains (bonus: you know a lot of train people)
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat) and MS Office
- Graphic design ability
- Ability to present potential project ideas
- Ability to not smell really bad (hygiene is an asset)
- Excellent communicator—written, oral, and in videos
- Proficiency in 3D design is an asset
- Actually being 3D and not 2D is also an asset
- Able to participate in train shows, dealer conferences, exhibitions, video promotions or any other promotional activity
- You do not need to know how to drive a Zamboni, but it would be really cool if you did.
- Able to translate measurements into drawings
- Detail-oriented and able to spot and fix mistakes
- Organized and able to work on a tight deadline
- Team player - preference given to actual retired NHL Montreal Canadiens team players. No Bruins or Senators accepted.
- Able to count rivets (this is not a joke)
- Ability to work with clients, partners and transit agencies
- You must be able to modulate the main deflector to emit a polarized tachyon pulse (in under four minutes).
If you think you might be the right candidate for the job, please click here to apply or learn more from our hiring team! You, too, can become a Trainfluencer! (Nat just made that up...)
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Calling All Canadian Residents and Citizens! | |
Don't let the train pass you by! Photo courtesy of Josh Anderchek. | |
We're all VIA fans here at Rapido (except maybe Janet, but then she would be fired). Our friend Terry Johnson (from Transport Action) has started a petition calling on the government to fund a new transcontinental fleet for VIA. As much as we love the 1955 Budd cars, they won't last forever!
Sign in English Here
Sign in French Here
Don't forget to confirm your signature to complete your petition entry (you'll get an email right after)!
Are you American, British or Fijian, but feel passionate about accessible and sustainable rail travel too? Send the link to your Canadian friends who may not follow Rapido, but definitely care about making their voice heard.
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We'll wrap up with a teaser image for something we're working on...
Another newsletter is on its way later this month and another one in February with lots of fun stuff.
Thanks for being a great customer, the seven of you who are still reading!
Bobby Allard
Grand Poobah
Rapido Trains Inc.
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The open road. Photo by Jordan Smith. | |
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USA: PO Box 796, Higganum, CT 06441
Canada: 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, ON L3R 5H5
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