One of the most requested locomotives by modelers in recent memory as a state-of-the-art highly detailed model has been the EMD SD7/9 series of locomotives. Rapido Trains has now answered the call by delivering EMD SD7s, SD9s, and Milwaukee Road’s unique SD10 locomotives with road- and era-specific details and paint for HO scale.
Out of the box, each Rapido SD features road-specific details for each model variant. Details include factory-applied grab irons and hybrid metal handrails with plastic stanchions, Illuminated LED headlights, white class lights and beacons (where appropriate), a detailed cab interior with illuminated control stand, correct fuel and water tank arrangements per road, multiple stepwell configurations with see-through etched steps, high short hood or modified ‘chop nose’’ short hood where appropriate, road- and era-specific headlight/warning light arrangements, multiple dynamic brake configurations, phase and road-specific fan configurations and more. For the first time as mass produced plastic models, Phase IV SD9s with 48-inch cooling fans and a higher short hood are also offered for C&S and Burlington Northern in this release.
LED-driven lighting features include directional headlights and classification lights, an illuminated engineer’s control stand, number boards, walkway lights and oscillating signal lights or beacons where appropriate. Available now at your favorite dealer while supplies last.
DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) SD7/9/10s are $239.95 MSRP each.
DC+DCC+Sound versions equipped with an ESU LokSound 5 decoder are $349.95 MSRP.
Rapido Trains, 500 Alden Road, Unit 21 Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5, Canada;1-855-572-6917; www.rapidotrains.com
In the 1970s, the Milwaukee Road modernized 21 units from its fleet of SD7s and 9s by adding Horst paper air filters, four-stack exhausts and a low short hood to improve reliability and visibility for crews. Lighting features on Rapido’s rendition of Milwaukee 552 include a Stratolite beacon atop the cab roof with four individual LEDs flashing in sequence. Also offered are SD10s for the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern and Soo Line.
Unmistakably Southern Pacific for its two ginormous barrel oscillating lights mounted at the top ends of the hood front and rear, Rapido has delivered a striking rendition of SP’s SD7s in their as-delivered configuration in the classic Black Widow paint scheme.
