Rapido 28554 HO EMD E8A, ESU LokSound DCC Sound, Milwaukee Road in UP Yellow & Gray Scheme #30A

Rapido Item #: 28554

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.