By Railroad Model Craftsman Staff
Now at your favorite hobby dealers are Comet and Horizon passenger equipment from Rapido for both HO and N scales. First constructed between 1970-1973 by Pullman-Standard for Erie-Lackawanna’s commuter services, “Comet” cars quickly proved their worth, and new cars were soon built for other commuter agencies, including Boston’s MBTA in 1978, and in 1983, cars were delivered to New York’s Metro-North (1983) and Connecticut DOT (ConnDOT). Additional orders were placed in 1987 for Philadelphia’s SEPTA and Montreal’s AMT in 1989. Amtrak’s Horizon fleet was based on the Comet platform but enhanced for long-distance service with more spacious seating, new vestibules and a Dinette version for food service.
Comet Cab Car for Connecticut CDOT. (HO version pictured).
Rapido’s Comet and Horizon models feature correct truck designs per prototype with metal wheels, full interior and underbody details, tinted windows, LED interior lighting, LED marker lights and for the cab cars – LED headlights. Marker lights, interior lighting and headlights are individually controllable at the touch of a magnetic wand.
Horizon fleet paint schemes include Amtrak Phase III (wide or narrow striping), Amtrak Phase IV, Amtrak Phase VI, Amtrak California (Horizon Dinettes only) and undecorated. Comet liveries include Metro-North (MNCR blue stripe), Montreal AMT (blue striping), Boston MBTA (purple/yellow striping), New Jersey Transit (black & disco striping), ConnDOT (red stripe), Philadelphia SEPTA (red/white/blue/gray striping) and undecorated. Multiple road numbers are available per scheme where appropriate. N scale Comet coaches and Horizon cars start at $59.95 each with HO versions beginning at $99.95 each. N scale Comet cab cars start at $69.95 each. Three-car sets with one cab car and two coaches are available for HO scale starting at $319.95 MSRP. For more information, contact your favorite dealer or visit the Rapido website.
Rapido Trains, 500 Alden Road, Unit 21 Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5, Canada;1-855-572-6917; www.rapidotrains.com
Horizon Cars in Amtrak Phase III (Left), Amtrak Phase VI (center), Amtrak California (right). (HO versions shown here).
