Layout #4, Video #25 - Unboxing the Rapido H1b Canadian Pacific

This is our 93nd video documenting our exploration of the model railroading hobby. It is the 25th video for our fourth (HO Scale) layout. In this video, we show the unboxing of a new Rapido model of the CP Hudson #2816, known as the Empress.
The Empress is a steam locomotive that uses the 4-8-4 wheel configuration known as the Hudson style. It was made in 1930 and used in passenger service for 30 years. After it was retired it was sold to a collector, eventually being bought back by Canadian Pacific in 1998 and restored for excursion service in 2001. It was again retired and stored in 2012 until the CP merged with the Kansas City Southern RR. In 2024, it was again restored to excursion service and made the first three nation run for a steam locomotive. This run took it from Winnipeg to Mexico City. I was lucky enough to see it going through Victoria Texas and then visit it on display in Laredo.
This model was ordered off eBay from the Prairie Shadows Model Railway Company in Canada. They processed the order and shipped it to me very quickly (Ordered on January 20th, delivered on January 24th). It was well packaged in a large box of Styrofoam peanuts, and the internal Rapido packaging included a wood display case with foam protection.
The locomotive looks as beautiful as a model as it does in real life. I particularly like the way Rapido engineered the DCC connector as part of the draw bar for the tender. I was also impressed with the way Rapido has some fun with the sound programming.
From the box, the model runs well and has a lot of pulling power. It was pulling a set of freight cars that came close to making the full loop on our layout except for our couplers pulling apart a few times. It did notice that much weight at times, but I was very impressed by how well it pulled it all overall.

[@VeekerStudios]

She's a beaut! My father got his last autumn, and it's the best engine in his collection, the greatest sound in HO scale too by my opinion. I was lucky to grow up with the Empress, including a train ride across the Canadian Rockies as a young teen that firmly cemented my loyalty to steam locomotives for life! As for passenger cars, my dad hasn't had good luck with Rapido passenger cars, so for now it's proudly pulling a rake of Rivarossi coaches older than I am.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I wish i had known about them last fall. I am really growing to like Rapido locomotives. They run well, pull really well, and I love that they had fun with some of the sound recordings. This one just sounds good, but the 44 tonner I have from them has the theme song from Mighty Mouse as one of its recordings. I just crack up when I here that. Thanks for the tip about the Rapido cars. I will probably try the one set they have for this train anyway, but I won't look too hard at other cars unless they really impress me with that.

[@pinchy08]

Here we go.

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

Yep, here it is.

[@bigcstrainsthings6149]

That's Gorgeous

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

I agree that it is gorgeous. I wish I could take the credit for it, but...

[@bigcstrainsthings6149]

@Rothstein_Model_Trains what happened?

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

@ Nothing happened. I was just saying I had nothing to do with the design of the model so I can't take credit for how beautiful it is.

[@bigcstrainsthings6149]

@@Rothstein_Model_Trains well it definitely is beautiful. How much are these models?

[@Rothstein_Model_Trains]

@bigcstrainsthings6149 This one cost me $685 including tax and shipping. Bought on eBay from a Canadian hobby shop. There other similar models for slightly less. My HO locomotives run from 300 to 1000 for dcc and sound, depending on manufacturer and model.