Story and Photos by Harry K. Wong
On September 10, 2022, BART – the San Francisco Bay Area’s Rapid Transit System celebrated its 50th Anniversary of beginning service. BART now operates over 131 miles of track spanning the Bay Area, with over 120 million riders exiting its fare gates in 2018.
With its first cars built by the Rohr Corporation in dedicated A-car (cab) and B-car (midtrain-only) configurations in service since 1972, the fleet was later augmented in 1987 with dual-purpose “C-cars” that could serve either in the lead position or positioned midtrain. BART’s trains operate in consists from three to ten cars in length.
Rapido’s models always feature a full complement of underbody details. These BART cars are no exception – featuring details that even include simulated third-rail pickup shoes. For maximum compatibility, these BART models are designed to operate on conventional HO scale track.
Now at your favorite dealers are HO scale replicas of BART’s “Legacy Fleet” of Rapid Transit Cars produced by Rapido Trains. These cars, available in A, B and C1 versions come with illuminated headlights, taillights, metal wheels, and a fully detailed illuminated interior and NEM-style close coupling system between cars. BART cars are available in 4-car A-B-B-A sets either with or without sound, with C1-cars and additional unpowered “B” cars available separately. “A” and “C1” cars include a low-profile drive system with full interior details. Also offered is an unpowered display version of an “A-car” that includes a display case.
Sound equipped models feature a wide array of sound effects recorded from real BART cars, including horns, door operation, onboard and station announcements and much more.
For maximum compatibility, these BART models are designed to operate on conventional HO scale track.
$239.95 for DC/DCC-ready silent C1 cars, while DC+DCC+Sound C1 cars equipped with TCS “WOWsound” carry a $339.95 MSRP.
$549.95 for DC/DCC-ready silent A-B-B-A sets, while DC+DCC+Sound A-B-B-A sets equipped with TCS “WOWsound” carry a $749.95 MSRP.
Unpowered display-only “A-cars” with display case are $149.95 MSRP.
Visit your favorite dealer or BART’s official merchandise site at railgoods.com to purchase while supplies last.
Rapido Trains, 500 Alden Road, Unit 21 Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5, Canada;1-855-572-6917; www.rapidotrains.com
Intermediate “B” car on the left, “C” car on the right. Powered ”C” cars are available separately, and unpowered “B” cars are also available separately for longer trains.
