Rapido HO – ALCO/MLW "Century" C-424 and ALCO C-425 Locomotives
Looking for a locomotive with an unmistakable growl — one of those characterful ALCO machines that fans adore and that, sixty years after leaving the shop floor, are still running? This collection brings together the "Century" Series ALCO/MLW C-424 and ALCO C-425 locomotives from Rapido Trains. Born of ALCO's response to competition from GE and EMD in the 1960s, these rugged four-axle units are a must-have for anyone modeling North American — and especially Canadian — rail from the 1960s to today.
Rapido recreates these locomotives from measurements taken on preserved units and the original blueprints. Facing GE's Universal Series and EMD's General Purpose line, ALCO launched its "Century" Series in 1963, betting on higher-quality components. The C-424 (2,400 hp) was built in 98 units in the US and Mexico, while Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) produced 92 under license for Canadian National and Canadian Pacific. The C-425, cataloged as an "upgraded" version, gained 100 hp thanks to a GE 598 main generator (the same used on the U25B). These machines are full of quirks: winged radiators on the earliest versions, the signature ALCO "notch" on later ones, walkway- or sill-mounted handrails, nose lights, road-specific fuel tanks, and more. This collection captures all that variety across the different phases (C-424 Ph. I, II, and III / C-425 Ph. I and II), the GE/Hornell rebuild, and multiple liveries. The model pairs a heavy die-cast frame, a full interior, a full lighting package (including operating three-color class lights), etched-metal steps, and Rapido's signature dead-straight metal handrails. Offered as DC silent or with sound and DCC, these locomotives bring your layout the realism Rapido is known for.
What this collection brings together:
- ALCO/MLW "Century" C-424 (2,400 hp) and ALCO C-425 (2,500 hp) locomotives, HO scale (1:87)
- First highly detailed rendition, with road- and phase-specific details
- DC silent versions and sound-and-DCC versions
- Correct details for the different phases (C-424 Ph. I, II, III / C-425 Ph. I, II)
- GE/Hornell rebuild with correct "bump-out" panel and cut-down rear radiator wings
- Nose, long-hood, and cab variations: nose light, high nose, sand fill caps
- Rotating bearing caps (where appropriate)
- Heavy die-cast frame with many separate details
- With or without dynamic brakes (where appropriate), road-specific fuel tanks
- Full interior, separate metal grab irons
- Walkway- or sill-mounted handrails with plastic stanchions
- Etched-metal steps with fold-over edges, prototypically correct walkway tread patterns
- Full lighting package: track lights, walkway lights, operating three-color class lights
- Multiple liveries and operators (Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, CP Rail, Erie Lackawanna, Reading, Norfolk & Western, British Columbia Railway, and more)
- Ideal for manifest freight trains, 1960s to today
