Rapido Trains HO Scale EMD E8 diesels are based on the quintessential North American passenger locomotive of the 1950s through the 1970s. 450 E8A and 46 E8B units were produced, with an additional 100 E9A and 44 E9B locos following. The first E8s were delivered in 1949, with the last E9 being produced in 1964. These units pulled passenger trains from coast to coast, and later became the backbone of Amtrak's fleet in its early days. Many more were later used in commuter service before being retired. Today several units live on in museums and tourist railroads throughout North America.
 
The Rapido Trains EMD E8 features a body shell patterned after a 3D scan of the prototype to ensure the accuracy of the nose contour. The loco is loaded with roadname-specific detailing including multiple body versions, separate grab irons and handrails; appropriate side panels for as-built or rebuilt versions, full numberboard, class lights and headlights; a smooth dual-flywheel drive and Macdonald-Cartier magnetic knuckle couplers. This EMD E8 is equipped with a full sound and DCC decoder package for extreme realism.