Anniversary Event Features Vintage Rides and Passionate Discussions

For James Gaulton, a short drive from his home in Dundas leads to the Halton County Radial Railway Museum—a haven for train lovers. On November 12, Gaulton joined around 300 fellow enthusiasts to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Rapido Trains Inc., a company dedicated to the art of model trains.

“It’s excellent,” shared Gaulton, who shares his passion for model railroading on his YouTube channel, Junction Model R.R. “Model trains are fun to build and play with. It’s about creativity—you’re not just working with wood; you’re recreating real-life trains on a miniature scale.”

The celebration brought hobbyists together to explore and discuss everything trains, from models to full-scale rail transport. The museum buzzed with lively conversations, with visitors reconnecting with old friends and forging new connections, all united by their shared enthusiasm.

Jason Shron, Rapido Trains’ founder and a prominent figure in the community known as @JasonTheTrainGuy on Instagram, reflected on the company’s journey. In 2004, while pursuing a PhD in British art history, Shron found his true calling in model trains.

“During my PhD, I started dabbling in this as a side project,” said Shron, donning a vintage TTC uniform at the event. “I realized I didn’t love my career path, but I was obsessed with trains. That passion turned into Rapido Trains.”

Shron’s fascination deepened during a fellowship at Yale, where proximity to the Sikorsky Aircraft Archives—home to Canada’s famed TurboTrain—sparked his imagination. By 2004, Rapido Trains Inc. was born.

Two decades later, Shron marked the milestone with cake, camaraderie, and rides aboard the museum’s vintage vehicles. Highlights included trips on two historic Toronto streetcars and a ride on the iconic Red Rocket subway train, with attendees snapping photos and sharing the experience online.

Rapido Trains also unveiled a new model of Toronto’s CLRV streetcar, a beloved symbol of the city’s transit history. “The CLRVs replaced Toronto’s PCC streetcars in the late 70s and became iconic,” said Jordan Smith, Rapido’s Public Relations and Marketing Manager.

The event perfectly captured the spirit of a community that finds joy in both nostalgia and innovation, celebrating not just the past, but the enduring appeal of all things trains.