Designed by Chief of Motive Power & Rolling Stock Henry Blane Bowen, Canadian Pacific’s H-1a and H-1 b class 4-6-4 Hudson locos were state-of-the-art steam power when delivered. A total of twenty locos were delivered in two batches of ten each. The first batch, numbers #2800-2809, were delivered in 1929 and classified H1a. The second ten, numbers #2810-2819, were delivered in 1930 and were classified H1b. These locomotives were used on mainline passenger trains across the CP’s system. So success full were they that CP used their design as the basis for its later H c/d/e “Royal Hudsons” seven years later. Both classes survived intact until the end of steam, with the first retirements not coming until 1957.

Rapido’s H1a/b HO scale models are based on our hugely successful Royal Hudson. We are offering several different detail variations which allow you to model these locos at any point throughout their service life, including the preserved #2816.

The Rapido Trains HO scale CPR H1a/b Hudson locomotive features:

• Designed from prototype drawings and measurements
• Road number specific factory applied details for each unit
• Separately applied metal hand rails and grabs
• Blackened wheels and driving rods
• Correct cylinders and valve gear
• Smooth-running drive train
• Correct coal tenders for regular service units
• Correct oil tender for #2816
• Early or later style walkways
• “Elephant Ear” smoke deflectors on correctly numbered models
• Working headlight, marker lights, classification lights, interior cab lights and backup lights (DCC controlled)
• “Flickering” fire box in detailed cab (DCC controlled)
• Metal Macdonald-Cartier Knuckle Couplers mounted at the correct height
• DCC sound version includes synchronized chuff, accurate whistles, bells, air pumps, generator, safety valves and many other effects! (Not all sound features of DCC sound units will function in DC mode)
• Accurate and complete piping, underbody and tender details
• Accurate paint and decoration
• 22” Minimum radius