January News column - 13
versions of the Long Island cars, as well as Penn Central cars, are
expected to be available next month.
Rapido is progressing well in the development of a Canadian
National F9B unit. Among the many unique features of the CN
locomotives are the single louver rather than a center porthole,
correct roof-mounted coils (different for each locomotive num-
ber), distinctive roof and end generator details, see-through
non-warping etched metal grilles (backed with visible free-stand-
ing coils), uncoupling bars, steam blowdown valves, and metal
Macdonald-Cartier couplers. Additional features include separate
grab irons, and stainless-steel wheelsets.
In order to accurately replicate each of CN’s four F9B units, Rapido
is preparing tooling for four different shells. They include GPB-
17a/b - #6600-6613 as built in 1954-55 with large steam generator
MRH-Jan 2013
