Rapido 028018 HO Scale EMD E8A Erie Lackawanna EL 809

EMD’s E-8 (and successor, E-9) were the quintessential North American passenger locomotive of the 1950s through the 1970s. 450 E8A and 46 E8B units were produced, with an additional 100 E9A and 44 E9B locos following. The first E8s were delivered in 1949, with the last E9 being produced in 1964. These units pulled passenger trains from coast to coast, and later became the backbone of Amtrak’s fleet in its early days. Many more were later used in commuter service before being retired. Today several units live on in museums and tourist railroads throughout North America.

What makes Rapido’s E8 and E9 models different than every E8 or E9 that has come before? Simple – they’re doing it right. Every E8 model out there is a “best guess” as to the nose, roof and windshield contours of the real thing. At Rapido’s they don’t believe in making guesses. That’s why they commissioned a 3D laser scan of Union Pacific E8 #942 at the Southern California Railway Museum. A 3D scan ensures that they get those impossible-to-guess contours bang-on accurate. Their engineers trace the scan and shrink it down to HO scale.

FEATURES:

• 3D laser-scanned body shell
• Accurate nose and roof contours
• Seven different noses
• Three different back ends
• Two different sides – with and without lifting lug covers
• Three different steam generator options
• 36” fan, 48” fan or non-dynamic brake options
• Single- or dual-headlight configurations
• Freight or passenger pilots
• Three styles of side grills
• Original porthole sides or rebuilt with blanked sides (including unique variations)
• Skirted or non-skirted fuel tanks
• Original square and sloped or Hyatt roller bearing journal boxes
• Heavy die-cast chassis
• Smooth running drive system with all wheels powered
• Complete lighting effects – headlights, class lights, backup lights, ground lights, cab lights and more
• Numerous road-specific detail parts in both plastic and etched metal