Dear HO Scale Customers;

After 45 years of reliable service, the Bombardier LRC (Light, Rapid, Comfortable) passenger cars are soon to be retired. To celebrate the incredible achievement of this passenger car fleet, Rapido Trains Inc. is delighted to introduce a special commemorative production run of LRC locomotives and passenger cars in HO scale.

VIA 6919 tows three LRC cars along with an F40PH-2D and train set through Bayview Junction. The fall colours of 1991 are just starting to turn in this neat throwback scene.

Unknown photographer, Rapido collection.

 

 

A collage of the LRC's history. How many items do you have in your collection?

 

LRC Locomotive

The LRC locomotive was an extremely powerful locomotive in a small package. Despite only being 12 feet tall and 63 feet long, it packed a 3750 HP Alco 251F prime move plus two 250 KW Stamford alternators to provide Head End Power. It was built for 125 MPH operation, though it was restricted to 100 MPH in service. Nevertheless, the LRC pulled the Metropolis express between Montreal, Dorval and Toronto throughout the 1990s. At 3 hours 59 minutes for the 335-mile run, this remains the fastest scheduled passenger service in Canadian railway history. Just think about this: after Canada spends tens of billions of dollars on high speed rail, the travel time of the Metropolis won’t be improved by all that much. It makes you realize how amazing the LRC truly was.

 

VIA 6917 tows four LRC cars through Bayview Junction in 1983. An RS-18 comes around the corner. In the distance a CN freight waits. Unknown photographer, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.

 

 

 

Rapido's new run of the LRC locomotive features some significant improvements:

• Working headlights, ditch lights, number boards
• Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
• Incredible underbody detail including separate piping
• Different rooftop details for different paint schemes
• Accurate LRC Locomotive sounds on sound-equipped models
• Will operate smoothly on DC and DCC layouts
• Equipped with MoPower capacitor, for uninterrupted DCC operation
• Suggested minimum radius: 11”

 

Whoa! They also lead Amtrak consists? Yes they did! VIA 6926 leads Amtrak 217 on the International. Photo by W. D. Miller, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.

 

VIA 6903 hauls six Tempo Cars through Aldershot. You can feel the power and speed of this train. Unknown photographer, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.

 

In addition, the model features:

• Measured from preserved LRC 6921 and original blueprints
• Etched-metal grilles with radiator fan detail
• Full cab interior
• Full lighting package: headlights, ditch lights, marker lights, backup light, track lights and strobe light
• Separate metal handrails, grab irons and lift rings
• Optional bug deflector 
• Minimum radius: 18”

 

Introducing the Coaches/Cars

Rapido's LRC coach model, based on the LRC-2 and LRC-3 design, includes all the necessary LRC details. Depending on which paint scheme you order, you will get the correct seating configuration of either 2+2, 50/50, or 2+1. The axles have ball bearings to ensure they roll extremely well despite being of an inside-bearing design, and the lighting board contains capacitors to avoid flickering lights over unpowered frogs or dirty track. HEP cables, super-fine stirrup steps and etched-metal end gates or bars spice up the car ends.

All of the major LRC paint scheme variations are included in this run. For the first time, Rapido are doing the current “The future is on board” paint scheme in HO scale.

 

VIA 6917 tows four LRC cars through Bayview Junction in 1983. An RS-18 comes around the corner. In the distance a CN freight waits. Unknown photographer, courtesy of the Kaluza-Mueller collection.

 

Each LRC coach features:

• Correct car profile based on original blueprints
• Business Class car including modern 2+1 seating 
• Coaches feature correct colour scheme including brown (1981-1992), green (1992-2016), “greige” (2012+) and charcoal (2016+)
• Track-powered “Easy-Peasy” interior lighting and working marker lights operated by magnetic wand (included)
• Capacitor installed for flicker-free lighting over dirty track
• Super-detailed, free-rolling trucks and wheelsets
• Detailed diaphragms with etched-metal end gates
• Separate grab irons installed at the factory
• Improved metal couplers installed at the correct height
• Minimum radius: 18” (22” or larger recommended)

 

Despite the LRC coaches being the backbone of VIA’s Corridor fleet, it has been over five years since Rapido last produced them in HO scale! It’s time to correct that egregious oversight with this fabulous new production run.

Bombardier produced ten LRC-1 cars which went to Amtrak in 1980, followed by 50 LRC-2 cars delivered to VIA in 1981 and 1982. 50 more LRC-3 cars were delivered to VIA in 1984 and 1985. The LRC-1 cars were returned to VIA in the 1980s, refurbished and repainted in VIA colours for use almost exclusively on the International between Toronto and Chicago. The remaining VIA cars have been used on all trains in the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor. VIA’s LRC cars were hauled regularly by all of VIA’s HEP-equipped locomotives: LRC, F40PH-2D, and P42DC. Amtrak’s LRCs were pulled by LRC, F40PH and AEM-7 locomotives. They were even seen behind a HEP E-unit!

 

 

The LRC is such an important piece of Canadian railway history that Rapido are pulling out all the stops with special gift boxes. For both VIA and Amtrak fans, our sets will be the ultimate celebration of these amazing trains.

Each set will contain:

• One LRC locomotive (DC/DCC/Sound or DC/Silent)
• Three LRC cars (VIA – 1x VIA 1, 2x Coach. Amtrak – 3x Coach)
• A 48-page, full colour, profusely illustrated and oversized book celebrating the history of the LRC written by renowned Canadian railway historian and author, Kevin J. Holland.
• Two LRC commemorative glasses
• A specially-designed LRC tie clip and cuff links set, only to be worn for the most special of occasions!

 

 

Order Due Date: June 15, 2026

 

Looking for more Rapido Trains Inc. Train Sets? Click here!

Looking for more Rapido Trains Inc. Passenger Cars & Trains? Click here!

Looking for more Rapido Trains Inc. LRC (Light, Rapid, Comfortable) Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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