Rapido Trains Inc. - HO Scale - Budd RDC-1 (Phase 2 Body) Locomotive - DC/Silent - Canadian National (CN) #1501 - Track Evaluation - Silver/Gray/Red with Black/Red Lettering & Yellow Conspicuity Stripes (SKU 224-16345)
Available On: October 1, 2026

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.
Do you run freight operations and question why you would need any RDCs? Well we should mention that MOST of these commuter operations ran over major freight routes. In fact, many of these runs would tie up freight operations daily in the AM and PM rush hours. You too can recreate dispatcher frustrations by running a set of commuter RDCs right out in front of a waiting freight train.
The Rapido Trains HO scale RDC locomotive Features:
Ever experience a loss of power? Experience it no more with the all-new "Mo-Power" capacitor.
Designed by Rapido with the guidance of ESU LokSound, this handy electrical component, which is integrated with the main PCB board, ensures you run uninterrupted from a momentary loss of track power. It will provide anywhere from two to five seconds of juice, depending on the Rapido locomotive.
In 2008, Canadian National rebuilt one of their former RDC-1 cars into a Track Geometry Vehicle. Originally built in 1958 as DC-108, it served CN until it was sold to VIA in 1978. Many years later it would be purchased back by CN and undergo an extensive rebuild to analyze their rail network, which consists of over 20,000 rail miles across Canada and the United States. CN 1501 can be seen just about anywhere CN runs and has even been seen on regional railroads!
THE RAPIDO CN 1501 FEATURES:
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