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Post by jonklein611 on Apr 15, 2024 5:54:03 GMT -8
Edits / updates coming as I format stuff. Spring is in the air and so are whispers of some very important deadlines, launches and official announcements (including N scale, for those keeping count). You might be wondering why you are getting this newsletter later than usual. We had some technical issues with our website last week that did not get resolved until today. Because of this, we have also extended our April 15th deadline to April 19th! In this 184th issue... - Rapido and Cannon & Company Team Up
- N Scale RDC Moving Forward!
- April 15th 19th Order Deadlines
- May 15th Order Deadlines
- New Product Announcements - HO and N Scales!
- HO Scale Enterprise Covered Hopper - Wire grabs
- HO Scale Procor GP20 Tank Cars
- HO Scale Dominion Atlantic D10 Steam Locomotive Update
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Post by cpr4200 on Apr 15, 2024 7:46:24 GMT -8
Looking forward to the BMS boxcar and Enterprise hoppers, and the Canadian pig flats that are imminent.
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Post by cemr5396 on Apr 15, 2024 8:32:17 GMT -8
after seeing the samples of the 'upgraded' C40-8Ms.... yup. Glad I didn't order one. There's just not enough of an upgrade there to justify the price hike. I've already superdetailed my existing three.
It doesn't even have trainline hoses, FFS...
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Post by markfj on Apr 15, 2024 8:35:31 GMT -8
The NYC hopper shown above, #881200, that’s in the 747-H class right?🤔 (Never mind, I took a closer look at the photo, it is a 747-H) Some will probably object to the oversized vertical side ladder posts, which are rather noticeable, but I think the overall car is pretty nice. Car 881844 shown in the NYC Color Guide appears to have taller hatches. Is that due to a later modification to that particular car or should all cars in that class have the taller hatches? Mark J. Reading, PA (Edit) This image is from the Fallen Flags website, not the Color Guide.  |
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Post by upcsx on Apr 15, 2024 8:42:49 GMT -8
Safety Kleen tank car about time.
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Post by cpr4200 on Apr 15, 2024 12:10:29 GMT -8
The wide ladder stiles on the Enterprise hoppers do stand out ... hope they can fix that. And the hatch height. The wire rungs look way better than the plastic did. NYC also used these in company sand service, painted black.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Apr 15, 2024 13:03:06 GMT -8
The wide ladder stiles on the Enterprise hoppers do stand out ... hope they can fix that. I'm going to be a Grammar Nazi here. Rapido *can* fix anything. The question is whether or not they *will* fix it. |
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Post by cpr4200 on Apr 15, 2024 13:29:54 GMT -8
Good point. ^^^ Hope they "choose" to fix it.
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Post by markfj on Apr 15, 2024 15:44:32 GMT -8
Ugh, it looks like the hatch height on the model is wrong. Found this photo accompanying the model announcement over on the NYCSHS site.  ( Link to announcement page with photo) Can this issue be fixed or are these already in production? I'm guessing Rapido didn't want to tool a different hatch for the NYC/PC cars if all the other road names had shorter height hatches. Also, I hope they catch the road numbering error shown on the sample that has "881200" on the end placard, but "881212" on the side. Mark J. Reading, PA |
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Post by cpr4200 on Apr 15, 2024 16:17:25 GMT -8
The Rapido website says the Enterprise hopper status is "first samples received." Hope they "choose" to fix the hatches, too.
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Post by hudsonyard on Apr 15, 2024 19:18:57 GMT -8
I'm a sucker for short covered hoppers, if the enterprise cars are worth it i can see myself getting several. Thats a big IF.
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Post by bcrmlw on Apr 16, 2024 5:14:55 GMT -8
after seeing the samples of the 'upgraded' C40-8Ms.... yup. Glad I didn't order one. There's just not enough of an upgrade there to justify the price hike. I've already superdetailed my existing three. It doesn't even have trainline hoses, FFS... Yup, and the sand filler hatches on the CN units are still oversized (re used form the first run) and the MU hoses look meh. Plus the upgraded radiator section, which is in a separate polybag looks clunky and cheap. I'll stick with my superdetailed units from the initial run, for the money they are great models to spruce up. -Trevor |
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Post by onequiknova on Apr 16, 2024 5:31:49 GMT -8
Is it just me, or are those Cannon fans sitting awfully proud of the fan hatch?
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Post by crblue on Apr 16, 2024 5:46:02 GMT -8
I think the bigger news is that Rapido hired a new product manager, and has like 3 models that are in some stage of re-work post shipment. Hopefully this will mean fewer problems and more reliable runners.
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Post by fishbelly on Apr 16, 2024 5:59:31 GMT -8
Is it just me, or are those Cannon fans sitting awfully proud of the fan hatch? The fan base does look a bit thicker. The grills do not look as fine either. The wires look thick and how they fit into the fan guard is not as nice. Just an observation. I do not really care since I will not be purchasing any of them. Brian |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Apr 16, 2024 8:02:30 GMT -8
I think the bigger news is that Rapido hired a new product manager, and has like 3 models that are in some stage of re-work post shipment. Hopefully this will mean fewer problems and more reliable runners. They must have several dozen product managers by now. Ed |
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Post by wagnersteve on Apr 16, 2024 8:02:57 GMT -8
April 16, 2024, starting 11:48 a.m., EDT
I like a lot of the news in the latest Rapido Trains newsletter. However, here is one thing I think needs to be corrected:
The "catalog" the newsletter links to for the Berlin Mills Railway and similar HO boxcars still doesn't have a rendering for the paint scheme for the UP/BKTY non-patched boxcars; what's shown is a repeat of the SNC livery.
I'd also really like to see Rapido Trains produce HO versions of the earlier paint schemes shown in the "catalog" and/or "sales pack" for the forthcoming N scale models of the Santa Fe mechanical reefers. And in the case of the "mixed slogan" cars with SFRP reporting marks but without the huge circular Santa Fe logo I wish the firm would allow orders for single cars from the four-pack. If those were available I might buy one or two.
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Post by ernestbaron on Apr 16, 2024 8:24:58 GMT -8
I think the bigger news is that Rapido hired a new product manager, and has like 3 models that are in some stage of re-work post shipment. Hopefully this will mean fewer problems and more reliable runners. They must have several dozen product managers by now. Ed In 2023 Rapido lost at least three regular production employees (one overall manager and two project managers) and a warranty repair person. |
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Post by protofrtcar on Apr 16, 2024 9:13:01 GMT -8
Safety Kleen tank car about time. "Foobie" not a prototype like Safety Kleen used. !!! |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Apr 16, 2024 9:41:10 GMT -8
The Rapido website says the Enterprise hopper status is "first samples received." Hope they "choose" to fix the hatches, too. On Facebook, Bill Schneider of Rapido says "Yep. It's on the revisions list. They're about 1-1/2" to short..." It does look a lot more than 1 1/2 inches to me. |
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Post by idgara on Apr 16, 2024 9:50:31 GMT -8
The running boards on the corners appear too high also.
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Post by cpr4200 on Apr 16, 2024 10:03:24 GMT -8
I'm thinking most of these project managers are independent contractors. No?
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sdevo
New Member
Posts: 17
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Post by sdevo on Apr 16, 2024 10:18:11 GMT -8
They must have several dozen product managers by now. Ed In 2023 Rapido lost at least three regular production employees (one overall manager and two project managers) and a warranty repair person. And to add to the rumors of staff changes, one was poached by ScaleTrains. Another staff member who left or was the one who went to ST, was in charge of the GP40. Hence Rapido had no problem throwing the original designs of the fans under the bus. No, actual names said, it is just hearsay, but one could infer... |
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mdq
Full Member
Posts: 127
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Post by mdq on Apr 16, 2024 10:32:49 GMT -8
There was a little bit missing from the newsletter that could be of interest to some people. See post below : ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HO Scale Dominion Atlantic D10 Steam Locomotive Update. Through a production artwork error, the Dominion Atlantic D-10 #1046 (items 602012/602512) received a top-mounted headlight instead of a centred headlight. Unfortunately, this error was not caught until AFTER most of the models had shipped. We apologize for any frustration that this may have caused you, our customer. We have been in discussions with our factory over the best way to fix this problem. As those of you who own one can testify, the D-10 is a complex little machine! After studying the issue, both we here at Rapido and our colleagues in our factory have decided that the only practical solution is to send the affected locos back to the factory to be reworked. This process includes fitting a new boiler and changing the lighting. If you own a model of #1046 (items 602012/602512) and would like to have the loco rebuilt, please contact us in order to send your D-10 models in by May 31, 2024. We will ship all the returned models to the factory for reworking. Given the complexity of the task we hope that you can appreciate that this process may take a few months to complete. We will ship the updated models back to you once they arrive, and we will include a complimentary freight car model to thank you for your patience. Please note that this is a one-time offer. We cannot do single locomotives after the return deadline has passed. If you are interested in having your loco reworked, please click here to complete our warranty form.  |
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mdq
Full Member
Posts: 127
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Post by mdq on Apr 16, 2024 10:34:26 GMT -8
 Don't let this pale sample fool you; our Berlin Mills Boxcars come in many colorful schemes, including a couple with patchouts! HO Scale PC&F 5241 "Berlin Mills" Boxcar. The Pacific Car & Foundry 5241 Boxcar is a popular and well-traveled car that has been a big hit since it was announced. But we have some exciting news to share with this project before we close it out. We have made a few tweaks to the original Berlin Mills boxcar design centered primarily on the ends and roofs. These have now been incorporated into the design and the tooling is being updated. This is part of our normal review process, and the changes are relatively minor, but they will improve the appearance of the finished model. ![]() Next month the order deadline will close out on May 15th, so check over those orders you have for this versatile freight car... and increase them! |
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mdq
Full Member
Posts: 127
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Post by mdq on Apr 16, 2024 10:35:23 GMT -8
 HO Scale PRR G22 46' Steel Gondola We've got the steely might and the loads to go with it. Our HO scale PRR G22 Gondolas are a must for all PRR, Penn Central and even Conrail modelers! Be sure to order them by May 15th before they are gon... dola? Only available in resin... until NOW! |
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mdq
Full Member
Posts: 127
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Post by mdq on Apr 16, 2024 10:36:36 GMT -8
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Post by jonklein611 on Apr 16, 2024 10:52:27 GMT -8
There was a little bit missing from the newsletter that could be of interest to some people. See post below : ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HO Scale Dominion Atlantic D10 Steam Locomotive Update. This was included above in my original post. |
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Post by upcsx on Apr 16, 2024 10:56:21 GMT -8
Safety Kleen tank car about time. "Foobie" not a prototype like Safety Kleen used. !!! Long as it says Safety Kleen I am for two of them. |
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Post by locochris on Apr 16, 2024 17:26:00 GMT -8
In 2023 Rapido lost at least three regular production employees (one overall manager and two project managers) and a warranty repair person. That seems like a lot of turnover for a model train company, but maybe I'm wrong. |
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