RAPIDO TRAINS: RDC Locomotive

Charls Gendron
Apr 28
2 min read

The Budd RDC-9 was introduced in 1956 for the Boston & Maine as a "powered trailer", designed for use with two regular RDCs in a three-car consist. It was a motorized coach powered by a single motor and containing seating for 94 passengers. Lacking control cabs or end windows, it was not designed for independent operation but was controlled by controls in a coupled RDC.

Many Budd RDCs would linger on into commuter services for various commuter agencies in the northeast. Some of these commuter operations would bundle the RDCs in sets of four or more cars, creating good-sized consists. (Or eleven for CP!) Other roads would operate them in pairs or even singles on lighter branchline routes.

The Rapido Trains HO scale RDC locomotive features:

Accurately scaled from prototype blueprints
Roadname-specific details including bell position, single or double rear headlights, with or without battery boxes behind cab, horns, CN or BCOL style ditch lights and more!
An insane level of detail with air filters, many separate pipes and moulded traction motor cabling and air/control pipe runs.
Optional split cooling radiator for CN and BC versions. (Polybag Kit)
Heavy, die-cast chassis with a powerful motor and dual flywheels
Operating headlights, ditch lights and rear lights
Operating factory-installed rock lights on BCR locomotives
Fully operational class lights
Operating step lights and track inspection lights
Newly tooled & accurate cab interior
Newly tooled fuel tank and trucks
Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
DC/Silent (DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound) with twin sugar cube speakers
Factory-installed couplers mounted at the correct height

The Rapido VIA Rail 6105, 6217 and 6219 feature all of these, plus:

6105 — RDC-1
6217 and 6219 — RDC-2
Many 2010 rebuild details such as e-bell, blanked-out windows, modified ends, different steps and much more
Operating VIA-style xenon light and ditch lights