Rapido 16343 - HO Budd RDC-9 (DC/Silent): VIA Rail Canada: #6006

Rapido 16343 - HO Budd RDC-9 (DC/Silent): VIA Rail Canada: #6006

The Rapido Trains HO scale RDC locomotive features:

• Accurately scaled from prototype blueprints
• Roadname-specific details including bell position, single or double rear headlights, with or without battery boxes behind cab, horns, CN or BCOL style ditch lights and more!
• An insane level detail with air filters, many separate pipes and moulded traction motor cabling and air/control pipe runs.
• Optional split cooling radiator for CN and BC versions. (Polybag Kit)
• Heavy, die-cast chassis with a powerful motor and dual flywheels
• Operating headlights, ditch lights and rear lights
• Operating factory-installed rock lights on BCR locomotives
• Fully operational class lights
• Operating step lights and track inspection lights
• Newly tooled & accurate cab interior
• Newly tooled fuel tank and trucks
• Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
• DC/Silent (DCC Ready)
• Factory-installed couplers mounted at the correct height

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.