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Post by jaygee on Apr 18, 2015 4:21:58 GMT -8
Just got back from the Brass Expo, where, among other things, I purchased a Rapido 10-5 sleeper HO scale, from the Super Continental Line. Good looking car, but one with issues. After removing the plastic wrap at home and examining the car, we find it may have been damaged in shipping or at the dealer's. One truck is broken, and both wheelsets are bent. It will roll, but not well at all, and with a terrible wobble! The car sides are also sprung outward from the sub frame. It would appear that the car is held together by some tabs, and friction fit. Still working on this to get the body / floor combo to fit correctly. There were some loose parts, but nothing really serious. This is my first Rapido car, and a good looking one too. I will make this work, but looking for suggestions from others with these cars and their experiences. Tried to call Rapido, but got SPAM. Thanks guys !
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Post by bnsf971 on Apr 18, 2015 4:50:41 GMT -8
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Post by llxlocomotives on Apr 18, 2015 7:01:18 GMT -8
Just courious, was box sealed? Or was the car out of the box for examination?
My experience with Rapidio items has been very good. I have 4 or 5 in my collection and I have seen a few others. Recently I had one with a grab iron that had come loose and was stuck to the side. It was clearly a factory issue, the box was sealed with the proper tape.
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Post by jaygee on Apr 18, 2015 13:31:48 GMT -8
Looks to me like a lot of work will required to use Walthers trucks on this car, although their 41 CUDO-36 could work using the Rapido brake shoe beams. Having all the weight of the car at the top really aggravates the wobbliness due to the damaged wheelsets. The axles are also quite short, so trying to reuse the truck frame is going to be a PITA. BTW, their e-mail link is K.O.ed. FWIW, the box showed no damage when I bought the car. There was nothing to suggest there would be trouble ahead.
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Post by rapidotrains on Apr 18, 2015 19:53:56 GMT -8
The 10-5 is a very old release (2007) - our third car style, in fact. It had all sorts of issues that have since been sorted, such as the sides not holding on as tightly as they should. Dan prefers to use white glue to attach the sides to the chassis. I'll probably do the same with mine.
The trucks and wheelsets sound like they have been damaged in some way. They should not wobble nor should they be distorted. We can replace them. Please email us through our web site and Mike and Dan will take care of you.
-Jason
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Post by edwardsutorik on Apr 18, 2015 20:46:37 GMT -8
I'm surprised that the Rapido phone system is still having the same problems as when I phoned up.
I am also glad that bringing up things here on the forum appears to solve contact problems.
Ed
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Post by rapidotrains on Apr 19, 2015 8:02:46 GMT -8
Tried to call Rapido, but got SPAM. Thanks guys ! I just noticed this part of your message. How did you get SPAM when calling us? I've checked our records, and we haven't sent out any canned meat in at least a couple of weeks. -Jason |
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Post by stevewagner on Apr 20, 2015 4:14:30 GMT -8
I had no trouble phoning Rapido and leaving a question by voice mail last Friday (April 17). I suggested that someone leave me voice mail if I didn't answer my phone myself. Mike did, the same day. Good service!
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Post by canrailfan on Apr 20, 2015 18:06:42 GMT -8
Jaygee,
The contact information that came with the Rapido sleeper would be out-of-date. Rapido moved and changed phone numbers in early 2013. If you haven't already done so, get the current contact information from their website (given by Terry above), you should have no trouble reaching them.
In my experience Rapido has been very responsive when it comes to resolving customer problems.
David
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Post by jaygee on Apr 24, 2015 10:31:48 GMT -8
I've finally had some good success in contacting the folks at Rapido. Yes, the info in the car itself was old and obsolete. We discussed the issues with these cars, and they will be sending me a pair of new trucks. The floor will also need to be installed in a permanenet manner so as to prevent the sides from bowing out as much as they do. This will likely mean that access to the car interior will be rather compromised, so now is the time to "finish up" the interior with paint, detail and people. In spite of the issues, this is a great car, and well worth the effort to perfect it. I expect this car to turn out so well, that one look at it...you'll have to take a nap!
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