Have a problem? Rapido is here to help.

Rapido Trains is committed to providing the highest quality HO and N models in the universe. If something is less than perfect, we are here to help. 

We are temporarily halting spare parts requests while we hire additional staff and work on clearing up the accumulated backlog of emails, requests and repairs.

Please note: This does not affect WARRANTY PARTS REQUESTS. Parts requests covered under our warranty policy below will still be added to the queue.
If you are interested in working in our service department at the Markham office (Ontario, Canada), please email us at [email protected].

Rapido Trains Inc. Limited Warranty Policy 

Congratulations on the purchase of your Rapido Trains Inc. product(s). This limited warranty policy is effective as of March 2025 and applies to all Rapido Trains Inc. products, including locomotives, rolling stock, vehicles, and accessories. Please read the following guidelines carefully to understand your warranty coverage and procedures.

Important Tips:
• If your product comes with a registration card, register it as soon as possible.
• Save your receipt/sales slip as proof of purchase is required for warranty claims (see exceptions below).
• Retain the original packaging for safe shipping if needed.
• Submit warranty claims and check out product updates at rapidotrains.com/warranty.

Warranty Coverage:

Products Delivered Before March 2022:

• Due to exhausted parts supplies, we are unable to service many products delivered before March 2022. Please email us for details.

Products Delivered March 2022 – March 2025:

• Products delivered during this period are covered under warranty for two years from date of purchase or until parts exhausted, unless the issue is determined to be caused by user error. Proof of purchase is not required.

Products Delivered March 2025 Onward:

• Rapido Trains Inc. warrants its products against defects in materials, workmanship, or manufacturing under normal use during the warranty period.
• Products are covered under warranty for two years from the date of sale, provided the product has been registered and proof of purchase is submitted. We will try to keep parts for 36 months after production. After 36 months, parts are subject to availability.
• Coverage applies only to the original purchaser and is not transferable.
• What the New Warranty Policy Covers: 
       - Repair or replacement of the product to remedy any defects in materials, workmanship, or manufacturing.
       - Weathered models that do not affect our ability to take apart a model or determine the cause of an issue.
       - Work covered by warranty will be completed free of charge for parts and/or labour.
       - Warranty claims are approved at Rapido’s discretion.
       - Note: The cost of shipping the product to Rapido is not covered under warranty.
• What the New Warranty Policy Does Not Cover:
        - Damage caused by user error, including misuse, improper operation, maintenance, or handling.
        - Modifications or attempted self-repairs that inhibit our ability to repair the models. 
        - Normal wear and tear on parts such as batteries, LEDs, traction tires, etc.
        - Damage caused by external factors, such as accidents, natural disasters, or excessive voltage.
        - Products purchased second-hand or used.

Decoders:
• Factory-installed DCC decoders are covered by a one-year warranty. Rapido Trains Inc. will repair or replace defective factory-installed decoders free of charge within the one-year warranty period.

Repair Procedures:
• Submit a warranty form with applicable documentation. Fill out the form here. Make sure to include photos and details about the issue. If it is determined that the service team will need to look at the model in person, they will provide next steps.
• Upon receipt of your product, Rapido will inspect the product to determine if it qualifies for warranty repair. Repairs that are determined to be covered under warranty will undergo repairs as usual.
• If the product does not qualify for warranty repair, Rapido will provide an estimate for nonwarranty repair costs, including parts, labour, and return shipping.
• Customers have 15 business days from receipt of the repair estimate to approve nonwarranty repairs or parts.
• If the customer decides not to proceed with non-warranty repairs, they are responsible for paying the cost of shipping the product back to them.

Please note: we are currently still working on the new process for nonwarranty repairs, as well as a separate intake form for these. Hold onto your requests until this page is updated with the new process. Thank you.

Additional Charges:
• Any additional charges will be communicated to the customer before work is done.

Thank you for choosing Rapido Trains. For questions or assistance, please email our Service team ([email protected]). We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with our products.

Please note emailing does not substitute a warranty request.

Sound Function Mapping Discrepancy Update

We are aware that the list of sound functions in the manuals of some of our recent products does not accurately match the functionality of the units, mainly in the higher function buttons. This was due to a bit of an internal communication breakdown at Rapido caused by our team being scattered across Ontario and eight states. We want to assure you that this will not happen going forward in future manuals and projects. Jason is personally supervising this aspect of the business for the time being.

To correct this, we have updated the sound function maps for the affected projects. We apologize for any frustration this may have caused and we appreciate your patience with us.

Please use the following sound function map:

Horns & Functions

CV 163=0 Leslie A-125
CV 163=1 Leslie A-200
CV 163=2 Leslie S-2M
CV 163=3 Leslie S-3K
CV 163=4 Leslie S-3L
CV 163=5 Leslie S-5T
CV 163=6–14 Leslie A-125
F0-F20: same as manual
F26 straight to 8 (upon acceleration, the sounds will automatically ramp up through the notches until they reach Run 8 — full throttle)
F27 throttling to 8, then to idle, and then back to notch 8
F28 notching

ESU Programmer Users Update

Due to the long duration of our MoPower capacitors, that are built into each locomotive's motherboard, we have found a software conflict between a still-powered-up ESU decoder and the ESU LokProgrammer (or ECoS system) where they fight for control, resulting in a failed programming attempt. We expect a fix to be coming soon from ESU, but until then, please follow the suggestions below to successfully program using ESU programming systems.

To successfully program your locomotive using an ESU LokProgrammer or an ESU ECoS DCC system, our onboard Rapido MoPower capacitors must be fully discharged. Until a software patch and/or a hardware fix is available, please allow your ESU-equipped loco to discharge a full five minutes before using an ESU programming track, or allow to discharge one minute before using the ESU Ops Mode (on-the-main programming). If it doesn't work, wait a little longer and try again.

NOTE: This does not apply to any other DCC system or controller, just ESU.

DC Controller Update

Do NOT use any "Train set" DC controller, such as MRC 1300-series controllers with any of Rapido’s locomotives. The RailPower 1300 is notorious for voltage spikes and it WILL destroy your locomotive. There is no “if” about it. We will try to help you if we have the parts, but we are not responsible for locomotive damage due to voltage spikes in your power supply. Also, we will not repair any locomotive damaged by an MRC 1300-series controller (or any other “train set” DC controller) unless you have retired the controller. Otherwise, the damage will soon reoccur.

“Train set” DC controllers should not be used with any modern model locomotives.