HO & N – Rapido Trains has announced that it will be producing Chicago Transit Authority’s Budd 2600 series “L” cars.  An iconic sight in the “Windy City” since the 1980s, Budd built 600 of these famous rapid transit cars, with over 450 cars still in operation today. Rapido’s replicas of these CTA cars are offered in paired two-car sets – one powered and one unpowered, both with fully detailed seats and interiors, operating headlights, marker lights on both ends, lighted front and rear sign boards, interior lighting, wire grab irons and more.  These cars will be offered in six different CTA paint schemes and a painted but unlettered version.  DC/DCC-ready silent 2-car sets will be $389.95 MSRP, while DC+DCC+Sound-equipped 2-car pairs will retail for $499.95.  Pricing and details for the N scale versions are forthcoming.

Preliminary Artwork, Subject to further refinement.

In addition, Rapido is offering an all-new Elevated track system modeled after the Chicago “L”.  Offered in both straight or curved kits for HO scale, each track kit contains track sections with nickel-silver rail, and elevated bridge components.  Details on each section include the third rail, guardrails, center walkways and more.  One curved track section completes a 45-degree turn. Curved track kits are $49.95/kit, while straight track kits are $29.95 each. A fully-assembled straight display track with three straight sections is also offered for $99.95 each.  Delivery TBD.

Rapido Trains, 500 Alden Road, Unit 21 Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5, Canada;1-855-572-6917; www.rapidotrains.com