The prototypes for the Rapido Trains HO Scale Budd M3A Electric Railcars have long been a staple of New York City commuting. Owned by the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), these unique railcars have earned their living plying the rails of the northern NYC suburbs, as well as, Long Island for the past 40 years.
 
In 1984, the Metropolitan cars were built by the now defunct Budd Company for the Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro-North) and the Long Island Rail Road. The cars were designated M3 (LIRR) and M3A (Metro-North). Both were improvements of the original M1 and M1A designs built for both agencies in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the 2020s, these cars continued to haul commuters everyday on LIRR and Metro-North, albeit in reduced numbers. This Budd M3/M3A Electric Railcar 2-Car Set features a fully hidden underfloor drive system complete with an ESU LokSound V5 sound and DCC decoder and the MoPower capacitor to keep it rolling over minor power interruptions. Other features include full interior details, complete underbody detailing and a close coupling system. The cars are fully lighted inside and on their roadname-specific headlight arrangement. Budd M3/M3As are part of the extensive line of Rapido Trains HO Scale locomotives.