Rapido 28565 HO EMD E8A, ESU LokSound DCC Sound, Southern Railway in Black Tuxedo Scheme #2924

Rapido 28565 HO EMD E8A, ESU LokSound DCC Sound, Southern Railway in Black Tuxedo Scheme #2924

Rapido Item #: 28565

Locomotive Features:

• 3D laser-scanned body shell


• Accurate nose and roof contours


• Prototyically correct nose details


• Prototyically correct back end details


• 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


• Skirted or non-skirted fuel tanks


• Original square, sloped or Hyatt roller bearing journal boxes


• Heavy die-cast chassis


• Smooth running drive system with all wheels powered


• Accurate E8 sounds provided by ESU LokSound


• Complete lighting effects


• Numerous road-specific detail parts in both plastic and etched metal.

Prototype/Model Overview:

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 – we’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 we don’t believe in making guesses. That’s why we commissioned a 3D laser scan of Union Pacific E8 #942 at the Southern California Railway Museum. A 3D scan ensures that we get those impossible-to-guess contours bang-on accurate. Our engineers trace the scan and shrink it down to HO scale.