Description
Rapido is proud to bring the Montreal Locomotive Works S-13 and RS-23 to HO scale — two locomotives that are virtually identical from the frame up, sharing the MLW switcher body and underframe of the earlier S-11 and S-12, with an ALCO 251c prime mover producing 1,000 hp. The major difference is the trucks: the S-13 rode on AAR switching trucks while the RS-23 used road trucks. British Columbia (formerly PGE) took delivery of the first three S-13s in January 1959, and Canadian National was the largest S-13 owner with 49 units — 26 of them assigned to hump service in sets of three. Canadian Pacific dominated the RS-23 with 34 units built between August and September 1959, classified DRS-10c. The RS-23s saw heavy mainline duty in Ontario, the Atlantic Region and Saskatchewan, often running in multi-unit consists of four or five during CP's late-1980s power shortage. CP retired its fleet by the late 1990s, but many continue on short lines today.
Rapido's HO S-13/RS-23 features a heavy die-cast frame with many separate details, correct Canadian-style AAR or MLW lightweight trucks, photo-etched radiator grilles, road-specific fuel tanks, traction-motor details on the trucks, a new thinwall cab design with full interior, and prototypically correct tread patterns on the walkways. CN S-13s include the distinctive strobe "fink light" on the roof where appropriate. Rapido's dead-straight metal handrails with plastic stanchions, metal grab irons, and rubber air and sanding lines complete the package.
Each locomotive is offered DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DCC/Sound with ESU LokSound 5 Micro — and the sound was recorded from a real S-13. MoPower capacitor and metal Macdonald-Cartier knuckle couplers are standard. Suggested minimum radius is 18". Pre-orders require a 25% deposit; balance collected when stock arrives.
This unit: HO MLW RS-23 (DC/DCC/Sound): Minnesota Commercial: #80
- MLW S-13 (AAR switching trucks) and RS-23 (road trucks) variations
- Heavy die-cast frame; photo-etched radiator grilles; road-specific fuel tanks
- New thinwall cab design with full interior
- CN S-13 strobe "fink light" on roof where appropriate
- Rapido dead-straight metal handrails with plastic stanchions
- DCC/Sound recorded from a real S-13 with ESU LokSound 5 Micro
- MoPower capacitor; metal Macdonald-Cartier knuckle couplers; 18" radius
📦 Preorder details:
Expected ship date: see the Rapido Product Delivery Schedule for the latest dates
25% deposit required at checkout, balance charged when product ships.
Preorder cancellation: 7 days from order date; deposit non-refundable after that.
Browse more from Rapido Trains and our HO scale collection, or see all preorders. Ships from Oakville, Ontario. Contact us for special orders.