BART San Francisco Rapid Transit Cars in HO Scale!

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), Rapido is pleased to be bringing you the A, B and C class cars of its legacy fleet in HO scale! This is our first foray into the rapid transit market, and we we hope there'll be more to come!
This is a conditional announcement, and the deadline to hit the numbers needed for production is January 16, 2023. Also, any orders before then will get a 5% discount.
Visit our website or your favorite dealer to preorder yours!
rapidotrains.c...

[@trainzguy2472]

I grew up around BART and remember all the sights and sounds of riding those older rolling stock. It's so awesome to see it immortalized in HO scale!

[@rapidotrains]

We think it's the ultimate sendoff for an icon of transit!

[@ShonnMorris]

Same. I actually miss the original cars distinctive low humming buzz they made whenever they sped up or slowed down. The newer cars don't have that. Still cool though.

[@northerncalirails2008]

@trainzguy2472, me too

[@Railfan-uf9mw]

hey Rapido please do Caltrain and Altamont commuter express locomotives we need more california bayarea trains in ho scale!!!!!

[@rapidotrains]

Hit up that product suggestion form!

[@stephenkoffel7812]

That transition at 2:00 had my jaw on the floor. Fantastic editing!

[@rydot]

Go Jeremy, go!

[@rapidotrains]

We've upped Jeremy's pay to $10 a week!

[@billdurant3560]

@@rapidotrains and you could have had me for only $9.

[@drewzdrew27]

Very exciting! So BART doesn't use the "standard" 4 feet, 8.5 inches BART famously uses a much broader gauge, at 5 feet 6inches long........will these cars be able to run on regular HO Track....or.....? Either way, i look forward to the underbody detail never offered before! Edit, yes per the newsletter, it "Operates on HO Scale Track". Also is being sold by BART directly...(see newsletter)

[@avlisk]

I kept waiting to find out what gauge this is, but they never said. Rather important detail.

[@peters1127]

HO scale it is, stated at 2:12

[@rapidotrains]

We decided that standard gauge was the best choice for the majority of modelers, and it also keeps costs down.

[@Railfan-uf9mw]

Hey drew ask Rapido if they can do the ACE and Caltrain locomotives

[@TourDriverSean]

I'm excited to see where you'll go in the future with the rapid transit trains. I'd expect NYC subway, but as a brat of a T.T.C driver, I would LOVE to see the T.T.C subway

[@rapidotrains]

We really hope this is the first of many to come!

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Never ridden BART, but I have seen the trains though. See 'em every year when I pass through the bay area on the Starlight.

[@heidihobear]

Hope it will have that hum sound you hear when you ride them. Oh and I go to the Bay Area ever other week so definitely will buy this

[@rapidotrains]

We'll make it sound as close as possible!

[@hotrail8295]

This is totally awesome and unexpected!! Way to go!!!

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks!

[@RogueRail]

Thank you so much for bringing the BART car back to HO scale. Walthers use to make these but they’re very hard to find. I’ve always wanted to have one when I was a kid. Fact, BART was featured in some movies

[@rapidotrains]

You’re welcome! We hope this will be the first of many transit models.

[@BerlinPhysicsEngine]

I mean it's also cta's 75th birthday just saying👀.

[@rapidotrains]

One thing at a time!

[@georgegong6813]

Thank you for producing another HO Scale BART train with more detail then the old Walters one which I also have. Came to your booth @ the 50th Birthday Anniversary event & hoped there you would be selling them. Line was too long to wait @ the BART Customer Services booth to order one. I did pre order through Rail Goods though for whatever reason it keeps sending me back with a message of "Use Another Credit Card" & didn't accept mine. Though I did get an invoice from Rail Goods in my e mail saying they received my order. Hope you do more on California like Capitol Corridor, CalTrain, ACE Commuter, & even like the idea if you are going into public transit, hopefully light rail like San Francisco MUNI's Breda cars which also soon be no more, their current Seimens car too. There are also remember other California public transit systems like Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, & San Diego that operate light rail systems. Thank you also for doing the San Francisco Municipal Railway GM New Look buses as well. Bus was so popular all the other California cities mentioned for light rail also operated bowls. If you do another California Fishbowl run hopefully a few of those other cities be considered as well. California needs more love!

[@nintendofanlp]

Oh my gosh if you start making NYC subways, you will have all of my money

[@rapidotrains]

We look forward to possibly taking that money.

[@nintendofanlp]

@@rapidotrains Haha! Seriously though. You guys make top notch and highly detailed models. Something that is severely lacking in the HO NYC subway model world. Please do it!

[@philmcaleer6289]

Chicago’s CTA next please. PLEASE!! PRETTY PLEASE!!! You’ll be my best friend…

[@rapidotrains]

We need more friends!

[@alexstuart1849]

is there HO scale BART broad gauge track?

[@drewzdrew27]

Operates on HO Scale Track :)

[@rapidotrains]

These will run on standard gauge track.

[@northcoast261]

Simple suggestion here from all Massachusetts transit fans. MBTA subway cars! A popular one would be the MBTA’s prolific Red Line Pullman Standard 01500/01600 class cars. These ones were built 1969-1970 with aluminium bodies and still serve today, running as America’s second oldest subway cars in service. There are two other types active with this sub-system, the 01700’s and 01800’s. These two types are both Canadian built aswell! The 01700’s are identical to the 01500/01600’s, yet are built in 1987-1989 to extend the fleet. The 01800’s are the newest active cars, sporting a stainless steel exterior and have more modern interior/interface features. The 01500/01600’s would probably be the most popular as they sport a unique scheme that’s very popular and is often linked to Boston’s heritage. Once again, just a suggestion but a grand one at that.

[@rapidotrains]

Well depending on how this launch goes, there could be many more transit offerings in the future!

[@billdurant3560]

love Rapido Trains. Wish you well on this .

[@rapidotrains]

Thank you!

[@JasperHuskyFox]

Rapid transit by Rapido?! Could this mean OC Transpo OTrain cars in the future?

[@BNSFfan2373]

Awesome, Heres a product suggestion. HO NYC Subway R33WF and R36WF cars, But make them slightly over scale to match the already produced MTH R21 cars.

[@rapidotrains]

This launch's success will tell us what our future in the transit market will be!

[@BNSFfan2373]

@@rapidotrains it will be a very good market from what I have seen online!

[@egbutler114]

I'm sure Rapido will represent this famous train well. Should lead to some expansion of existing layouts with transit services.

[@rapidotrains]

We'll give it the love it deserves!

[@billdurant3560]

Lavta is thinking about extending something to go from Dublin Ca to the Central Valley, somewhat like the .......ACE TRAIN????

[@hoonami139]

These cars are rockets when they take off. The first and only time I rode them was in 2018 and, coming from New York, I was surprised at how fast they accelerate. Looking forward to these upcoming models, would love to see a Long Island Railroad M1 or M3 from you guys some day.

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@rickstephenson9074]

Born and raised in the Bay Area, rode BART to work many time and own several from the Walthers collection. I've made my re-order and may order a 2nd just to have them criss-crossing on my BART-Designed layout! Looking forward to having the Rapido touch on these!

[@rapidotrains]

It's a special train to be sure!

[@joshostrowski8411]

This is an awesome announcement!!! I don't have a need for a full trainset but I am thinking about getting the single A car with the display case for display and potential use as a car load.

[@rapidotrains]

T'would make for a fine display!

[@DFWRailVideos]

Would love to eventually see some LRV offerings, possibly Kinkisharyo SLRVs or Siemens SD100/160s? Rapido is truly stepping up the game when it comes to model trains.

[@jdayal123]

Amazing! I hope this is the start of a whole new transit wing... to include the NYC transit system :)

[@rapidotrains]

We hope so too!

[@MykeRomeo2]

Yes I would love to see them do NYC, Boston & DC..

[@ppoutine]

Yeeeeeeeees! Someone doing transit!

[@rapidotrains]

Someone had to!

[@brfriedm]

Darn. I thought the announcement was for a PRR HO E44! Nice model

[@rapidotrains]

Close! 😂

[@plaws0]

Very cool. Two questions ... when you say "H0" ... BART, being BART, uses a 66" track gauge instead of 56.5" ... how are you handling that? Will they just run on H0 track but have the bodies scaled correctly for H0? Or will you pretend H0 track is 66" wide and scale the bodies up? And, about those BART cylindrical wheels ... :-D Regardless of these details, this is pretty cool. And, on behalf of Jeremy, when will the N scale version be announced?

[@rapidotrains]

It'll be standard HO gauge in the name of simplicity, standardization and cost control. And we'll see what happens in N scale!

[@cow212tst]

Also the hardest part is not the details but motor power and being able to hide the powered car internals big problem with mth, so since I'm a unofficial rapido employee can we get a nyc subway car set with front and rear power so the lighting is correct like headlights on the leading car and red working lights on the rear end car when in motion or stopped just saying.

[@MCMilitaryForce]

Now I did NOT see that coming! If you are doing more rapid transit, I would love to see NYC subway

[@rapidotrains]

We certainly hope to do more transit!

[@amtrakfandeangelo8276]

this is the first ho scale bart train in over a decade im so happy that i can have this on my layout soon!

[@rapidotrains]

We're happy to oblige!

[@goldenstateaviation2861]

I’ve been riding BART since I can remember. I know the lines like the back of my hand. So cool that it is in a model now.

[@amcaljosh]

I'm not even in HO. Me wanties thoooo

[@GoViaorgohome]

It 100% looks cool and streamlined. Not Canadian though… Love the Budd cars that were announced

[@rapidotrains]

A little something for everyone!

[@trevorderper5050]

May want the A car despite I never model HO scale. But then in the meantime just hope there are plans for the BARt trains to also be made in N Scale

[@bsquiklehausen]

There's a display case + A Car set available! I'm an N scaler and am definitely grabbing one of those just for showing off!

[@rapidotrains]

It happened with the Turboliner, so we'll see!

[@1234smsc]

Is it featured with original westinghouse chopper traction? Or current speciation?

[@spl1011]

Please do the Metro North Budd M1 thru M4 cars soon! :)

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@ctvalleyrailfan]

Just saw your post on FaceBook. This is a really unique model. I don’t model this type of transit. For people who do though, get it excited, and know it’s going to be a great model.

[@rapidotrains]

We will give it our best!

[@luldreamer4159]

will this ever come back out agin

[@rapidotrains]

After this run? Unlikely. So order while you can!

[@CnFan4342]

You should make Caltrain next

[@rapidotrains]

We may do Caltrain in the next release of bilevel commuter cars.

[@Dave_at_Its_My_Model_Railway]

Very impressive looking models.

[@williamcragg2145]

Very cool,and great idea to expand to something different, but I kind of thought the Big Anouncement was that you guys were bringing back Janet to the videos.

[@rapidotrains]

It's certainly been a while...

[@cow212tst]

Wait wait wait, so mth stops making ho subway cars, and they have great detail except for the undercarriage details, but overall good looking subway cars, now for you guys at the team up in cold Canada I know for sure you can do nyc subway cars get that 3D scan machine ready and stop playing around

[@rapidotrains]

Maybe one day!

[@finn_4761]

do you think there will ever be any other scales (N) in the cards for these? I’ve been praying for a BART model for half my life, alas, one scale bigger than my N Gauge layout.

[@rapidotrains]

It's possible if there's enough demand!

[@donwhead]

What are the chances you'll be doing these in N scale?

[@rapidotrains]

We shall see!

[@Camping814]

Excited! Spent a lot of time working on that system

[@rapidotrains]

We will do it justice!

[@oneastrails]

Nothing against the BART release, but I have to shake me head at all the yeah sayers. I bet not 1% of those people will ever buy these and use them on an actual operating model railroad. Can see more of them sitting on a display shelf. Go ahead do a search on KZbin of BART like layouts?

[@rapidotrains]

We'll see what happens!

[@YukariAkiyamaTanks]

The Bart cars definitely remind me of SOAC. Might have to buy one of the sets, they are just so cool.

[@rapidotrains]

It's a very 70s look for sure!

[@tf51d]

BART actually came long before the SOAC prototypes! They were built off the NYCT R44 body.

[@smallflame85]

Rapido! Y’all done doin’ it again!

[@rapidotrains]

😎

[@SimpleAviation55]

How many are you selling? Judging by the price I'll guess a few hundred

[@rapidotrains]

We shall see!

[@Cherry-Coke-Cup-Series]

I am hoping for cta in ho scale

[@Wawa111_Mainline]

when are you guys going to do more metra stuff if your looking for ideas the high liners are an unexplored market becides some 3d prints

[@rapidotrains]

We have many markets to explore!

[@loispadgett6306]

Nice I like that. Maybe in N scale would be even better.😃 THANKS keep up the great work. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@rhoobarb773]

Nice! I am hopeful that at some point in the not too distant future you would do Chicago CTA cars.

[@rapidotrains]

Hey, it's a definite possibility!

[@Lucrativecris]

It would look cool if it had a destination sign that’s changeble

[@rapidotrains]

It sure would!

[@northerncalirails2008]

Can't wait to buy them!

[@mels1811]

Wonderful video

[@rapidotrains]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mels4796]

wonderful video

[@rapidotrains]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chromebomb]

This is amazing!

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks!

[@hollisandzdrake1272]

This is fantastic! Would love to see the CTA 2600 series in Ho scale

[@P8KPEV]

Will there be a pack of Planet of the Apes figures included?

[@trainglen22]

Actually, I was wondering if they were going to include THX 1138.

[@Railfan-uf9mw]

WTF ?

[@rapidotrains]

🤣

[@sparky107107]

not on my wish list. I know not what you want to hear but figured you would want the good the bad and the ugly.

[@rapidotrains]

We can't please everyone with everything!

[@sparky107107]

@@rapidotrains no you can't . But the turbo's ., now I have 2 of those on order

[@509brown]

Sweet!!

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks!

[@dariofriso5454]

Extremely nice announcement and model, thank you to create it! It's always a pleasure to see a train model different like typical loco and wagons. I hope in the future to see also Subway model trais of NY, a lot of enthusiast people interest it. Maybe a R62 or a R160. It could be useful to open a poll like some other campanies, in your Facebook page.

[@ChargerusPrime]

I'm waiting for you guys to come out with the Canadian pacific 4-8-4 and 2-10-4 Selkirk classes.

[@rapidotrains]

Hit up that product suggestion form!

[@Bureaucromancer]

If you're going down this path, I definitely want to put it out there that I've been itching for a good version of the Mk1 ICTS vehicles...

[@lukebarber9511]

I wonder if anyone will now make HO scale 5'6''-gauge track...

[@rapidotrains]

That would be a bit of a long shot unfortunately. That being said, as a compromise we have designed these models to work on regular HO scale track.

[@lukebarber9511]

AFAIK only some UK & Irish modellers wider track to make up for the OO scale/gauge discrepancy; HO-scale modellers of Russian, Iberian, Australian etc. broad gauge still use standard HO-gauge track and live with the discrepancy.

[@weserman95]

you should do HO scale of CLRVs or G1s.

[@waterloocentral9production475]

If they ever do the CLRVs, I’m definitely going to buy a bunch!

[@rapidotrains]

A definite possibility!

[@pmk2000]

Amazing, love the Legacy train

[@rapidotrains]

They're the coolest!

[@minutemanmac]

😆

[@rapidotrains]

😎

[@prairierailproductions6737]

If they don’t cost $5000 each than I may crowbar my wallet

[@rapidotrains]

We think you're safe, unless you're planning on running a 61 car train...

[@finn_4761]

@@rapidotrains do you think there will ever be any other scales (N) in the cards for these? I’ve been praying for a BART model for half my life, alas, one scale bigger than my N Gauge layout.

[@awmusichistory]

I preordered mines! Hopefully it will arrive very soon!

[@rapidotrains]

They haven't entered production yet, so they won't be arriving until some time next year.

[@MoleculeMind7]

It’s only a matter of time before Rapido UK announce a model of the Tyne and Wear metro trains

[@CPRRAMSEY]

Please do both versions new and old of bc transit skytrain

[@stuartaaron613]

Interesting. Meanwhile in 12 years the oldest railroad operating under it's original name and charter will celebrate its bicentennial. It runs east from Manhattan on a giant terminal moraine south of Connecticut. I'm of course describing the Long Island Rail Road (yes, it's spelled that way). The largest commuter railroad in North America, yet under represented in the model world, is crying out for quality MU and diesel hauled models.

[@rapidotrains]

A definite possibility!

[@KCDash4400cw]

~*does the train come with a simpsons wrap*~

[@trainglen22]

It's a beautiful rapid transit system. It is a bit too far west for me but I truly hope that you do the TTC Gloucester cars sometime in the near future.

[@rapidotrains]

We'd love to ride the rocket!

[@TWIGYBNSF]

Very nice! The traction community is surprised about this

[@rapidotrains]

It's an untapped market!

[@TWIGYBNSF]

@@rapidotrains perhaps maybe I see trolley, interurbans or other electric stuff in the future? 👀

[@leonkernan]

I’ve been on the Bart, but I’d never be able to tell you which class. Was having enough trouble juggling luggage 😂

[@rapidotrains]

Priorities!

[@UrbanRail]

I hope you guys come out with models of the original Siemens LRT cars in Edmonton and Calgary

[@rapidotrains]

Depending on how this launch goes, we'll see what happens for future transit projects!

[@leonjohnson1824]

BEAUTIFUL!!!! I truly hope to see NYC BMT subway cars come alive in Ho scale. The R16, R27/30 would be amazing. I'd skip a mortgage payment for those.

[@rapidotrains]

We definitely hope to expand into the transit market!

[@thisislesbomaya]

Foamers in

[@rapidotrains]

😎

[@hyperian_one]

Reserved mine.

[@rapidotrains]

Awesome, we appreciate it!

[@hongmaichen3085]

This is great!

[@rapidotrains]

We think so too!

[@kraag]

That’s still not an n scale RDC…

[@rapidotrains]

Hmmm, we're sensing a theme with your feedback....

[@kraag]

Well I am keeping all my money for that n scale rdc, hope it comes soon… for your sakes

[@davidstewart5694]

walthers made Bart cars one time

[@4hillines67]

Are you developing and selling the non-standard gauge track and 3rd rail?

[@rapidotrains]

These will run on regular HO track in the name of simplicity, compatibility and keeping costs down.

[@TheJordanHunt3r]

Hopefully this is released around xmas of this year. Would be fun to go around the tree loll

[@rapidotrains]

Should be arriving by this fall!

[@damianstellabott3613]

I ride Bart 5 days a week. A few years back I bought my then girlfriend the old Athearn Bart that was sold by Bart in the 70s. Realllly looking forward to this.

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks!

[@gabepearson4070]

Love too see light rail!

[@rapidotrains]

BART is heavy rail, but we'd definitely like to explore the light rail market at some point!

[@gabepearson4070]

@@rapidotrains of you guys do start exploring light rail, you guys should look at the Max witch is in portland OR, we have some unique stuff

[@NYSW1904]

COOL

[@rapidotrains]

Thanks!

[@collectivepitch1989]

I hope this sells well so Rapido will produce it in N scale also. I have their Turboliner on order and can't wait to run it!

[@rapidotrains]

Anything is possible! We'll keep it in mind.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Will these cars run on regular HO scale track??

[@rapidotrains]

Correct!

[@baronjutter]

Absolutely gutted this isn't coming with its own proprietary wide gauge track.

[@rapidotrains]

Totally understandable. Using standard gauge was a decision made with BART to cater to the majority, as custom track would've added significantly to the project costs.

[@jordonfreeman166]

It wouldn’t surprise me if some enterprising modeler made some trucks and wheels for 5’6” gauge HO scale tracks.

[@wesleyfeero795]

You guys are gonna have to make scale Indian Gauge track to run these 😂

[@rapidotrains]

We’re compromising a bit to make them run on regular HO track, but it would be interesting to see that!

[@TTF9052]

Will you guys make a C Car powered unit separate? I am pretty interested in these cars

[@rapidotrains]

Absolutely! They'll be sold in AB-BA sets as well as individual B and C cars.

[@Mike-fx1eu]

Way cool! Please not too expensive!

[@rapidotrains]

It's all relative!

[@terrylong8894]

Need TTC please.

[@rapidotrains]

👍🏼

[@terrylong8894]

@@rapidotrains Thomas the Tank Engine and the Hogwarts Express would also be really great.

[@blount_man]

What will the pre recorded sounds sound like?

[@rapidotrains]

They'll be recorded directly from BART equipment, so pretty accurate we think!

[@catvoncrimson666]

I’m so exited!!!! I love riding Bart and pretty soon I can have a miniature one in my home!

[@robertmartin4847]

Needs HO scale earthquake instructions

[@rapidotrains]

Good point!

[@BrooksMoses]

HO scale earthquake instructions: 1.) Obtain a 2-pound sledgehammer, a large soft rubber block, an cellphone that can do calendar alerts, and a 6-sided die. 2.) Mount the rubber block on the side of one of your benchwork legs, and make sure that leg is sturdily bolted to the rest of the benchwork. 3.) Have a friend set a calendar alert on the phone that will go off sometime in the next 3 years, but you don't know when. (Note: 3 years is scaled for typical fast clocks; adjust to your preference.) 4.) When the alert goes off, pick up the sledgehammer and give the rubber block a good solid wallop with it. Cut off track power to the layout. Roll the die; if it comes up 1-4, give the rubber block that many more, somewhat lighter, wallops (about 10-20 seconds apart) to simulate aftershocks. 5.) Put the sledgehammer back in its place.