Fleet Friday: Get on the GO

     The layout welcomed an updated fleet of GO Transit cars this month.  Rapido released their second run of Bombardier Bilevel Commuter Cars.  I've been waiting their arrival for a long time.  The first release was a little too early for my 2006 layout, but two of the sets matches what would have been seen for the time period.  I also picked up a more modern Metrolinx set because I just wanted the set.

    These sets did not disappoint.  They have amazing detail on all sides of the cars.  I really appreciate all of the detail and color variations they have included on the roof detail.  

    One of the best features of these Rapido cars is the lighting features and ability to add sound.  The cab cars include headlights as well as red marker lights, and each coach has interior lighting to highlight all of the interior seat detail.  Lights can be controlled with the magnetic wand or DCC decoder.  I'll be installing ESU decoders in the cab cars.  The speakers are already installed in the cars (thanks Rapido).

    With the addition of these new BiLevels, it's time to retire most of the Athearn cars that have been running on my layout since I began focusing on modeling Toronto.  I bought my first set of Athearn GO cars probably in 2006 or 2007.  They have done a great job on the layout. One consist will stay on the layout until Rapido comes out with another run.  Right now, I need four different sets to run all of the commuter routes. 

One of the Athearn GO Transit consists leaving Mimico GO Station.

    I replaced the couplers in each car.  The Rapido couplers have improved over the years, but I use standard instead of scale couplers.  I like all of my couplers to be Kadee.  Eventually, I'll add the DCC decoders.  I plan to use ESU's 58219 decoders.  Nice job Rapido on these cars, I look forward to their moving passengers on the layout for years to come.

A new set of Rapido bilevel cars crossing the Don Valley Parkway and Don River heading to Toronto's Union Station

A new Rapido consist is preparing to leave Union Station in Toronto.