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Post by rapidotrains on Nov 17, 2016 8:35:09 GMT -8
Hi all, I'm in the wilds of Dongguan, China, and I can't sleep... so here are a bunch of photos from the factory. There are also two videos on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/rapidotrains1. CP RDC quality control - that is Mrs. Lei, our QC manager.  2. Amtrak RDCs waiting for roof lights and windshield wipers - added after road testing.  3. Installing windows in VIA RDCs. All the RDCs have blinds at random heights.  4. Roof lights for CN and VIA RDCs.  5. First sample of the Rapido Bus.  6. Enjoying a quiet reading break.  -Jason |
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Post by riogrande on Nov 17, 2016 8:40:43 GMT -8
You are the life of the Model Railroad party Jason!
Thanks for staying up all night and posting. Talk about dedication!
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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Nov 17, 2016 11:06:21 GMT -8
How is the 3800 covered hopper coming along?
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Nov 17, 2016 12:35:51 GMT -8
Your posts are always fun, Jason.
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Post by es80ac on Nov 17, 2016 12:59:30 GMT -8
very interesting and insightful pictures. But can you guys produce some modern bus instead of that 60 or 70 looking bus?
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Post by rapidotrains on Nov 17, 2016 15:12:06 GMT -8
How is the 3800 covered hopper coming along? I'm visiting that tooling shop next week and I intend to find out. -Jason |
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Post by rapidotrains on Nov 17, 2016 15:15:12 GMT -8
very interesting and insightful pictures. But can you guys produce some modern bus instead of that 60 or 70 looking bus? The New Look lasted until 2012 in Toronto.... We'll only do more modern buses after we produce this baby:  Keen bus fans will note that despite being the same overall dimensions as our model bus, it's a different version. I want to make that one next. -Jason |
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Post by slowfreight on Nov 18, 2016 10:46:51 GMT -8
That thing looks like it was in great shape before you sent it to the paint shop. Pardon those jonesing for a newer bus (Ahem...Flxible Metro A ca. 1981, perhaps)....this is exactly the coach I want for the layout. Can you do CTA? Nortran? RTA? Especially CTA. Your photo brings back memories of driving beasts like this in the late 90's:  #4727 MaBSTOA 1969 Flxible 111CC-D5-1 Museum Bus #4 by Gary H., on Flickr That was Flxible's contribution to the "new look." They were pretty rough and tough. No real dashboard, a turn signal lever that would cut your finger off in the steering wheel, and an ungreased throttle linkage from the front to the back. But if you were willing to stand up and stomp on it, that Detroit V6 still had some get-up-and-go. |
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Post by rails4dmv on Nov 18, 2016 13:41:47 GMT -8
I second the need for the New Look Flxible in HO. But for those who really want a Flxible just to add to the collection, the first generation New Look Flxible will be done in 1/48 scale by St. Petersburg Tram Collection. www.sptc-spb.ru/scale-shop/?Shop=26Jason, if the demand is there, will you consider doing any transit buses in 1/50 scale, like the Corgi GM buses? |
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Post by rapidotrains on Nov 19, 2016 2:47:50 GMT -8
I second the need for the New Look Flxible in HO. But for those who really want a Flxible just to add to the collection, the first generation New Look Flxible will be done in 1/48 scale by St. Petersburg Tram Collection. www.sptc-spb.ru/scale-shop/?Shop=26Jason, if the demand is there, will you consider doing any transit buses in 1/50 scale, like the Corgi GM buses? I would definitely consider doing a bus in 1/50. What disappoints me about the Corgi model is how wrong it is. Not a single dimension is correct. Even the windows are the wrong shape. But because they sold a metric zillion of them we can never do them in 1/50. Just like the GO cars in HO. The Athearn model is a stand-in but most people don't know or care. But I have no complaints about the Athearn GO cars. It was because of those that I started Rapido. -Jason |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Nov 19, 2016 4:59:25 GMT -8
GO Jason, go....
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Post by calzephyr on Nov 19, 2016 6:53:30 GMT -8
Nice looking model bus and thanks for the fun posts!!!
Larry
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Post by canrailfan on Nov 19, 2016 10:49:54 GMT -8
Hi Jason,
Great to see what's going on at the factory. The bus is looking very good, to many manufacturers this would be good enough for production. Is there much left to do on it to meet your standards?
I don't know if this has been asked or answered previously, will the bus be powered or have provision to be powered? With many big model displays incorporating moving vehicles, it would be nice if the Rapido bus could be part of them.
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Post by rapidotrains on Nov 19, 2016 15:24:09 GMT -8
Hi Jason, Great to see what's going on at the factory. The bus is looking very good, to many manufacturers this would be good enough for production. Is there much left to do on it to meet your standards? I don't know if this has been asked or answered previously, will the bus be powered or have provision to be powered? With many big model displays incorporating moving vehicles, it would be nice if the Rapido bus could be part of them. Hi David, Here's a quick list: - I wasn't happy with the rivets so the mould factory is redoing them. - front window is missing the top two pieces - nobody caught this until a modeller saw the photo and said, "Um, why are there only four window pieces instead six?" I OWN one of these buses, I have salvaged THOSE window panes from a scrap yard, and I still missed it! We all did. - Wen we tried putting the standee windows on the current bus design, they looked rubbish. So now we're modifying the mould to have a recessed horizontal panel above the windows (where there currently is one - we're just making it deeper). We've designed an etched-metal insert. One has standees, one doesn't. So now we will have proper 3D standee windows - they won't just be printed on the body. Even Corgi didn't do that in 1/50 scale. The etched pieces can be finished in high gloss to look like windows, but the gaskets will be raised and printed in a contrasting colour if needed (such as in Montreal). - The window glass have too much wibble in them. That is an injection issue. That's about all the major issues. -Jason |
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Post by rails4dmv on Nov 20, 2016 10:25:06 GMT -8
I second the need for the New Look Flxible in HO. But for those who really want a Flxible just to add to the collection, the first generation New Look Flxible will be done in 1/48 scale by St. Petersburg Tram Collection. www.sptc-spb.ru/scale-shop/?Shop=26Jason, if the demand is there, will you consider doing any transit buses in 1/50 scale, like the Corgi GM buses? I would definitely consider doing a bus in 1/50. What disappoints me about the Corgi model is how wrong it is. Not a single dimension is correct. Even the windows are the wrong shape. But because they sold a metric zillion of them we can never do them in 1/50. Just like the GO cars in HO. The Athearn model is a stand-in but most people don't know or care. But I have no complaints about the Athearn GO cars. It was because of those that I started Rapido. -Jason Hi Jason, Thanks for possibly considering a 1/50 scale Fishbowl bus. Just a nudge to the dark side if I may. As many Corgi GM Fishbowl buses were mass produced, Corgi only nipped the corners with the number of transit agencies that owned these iconic buses. I don't know if that had to do with licensing with transit agencies or consumer demand but Corgi missed out on doing some of the most well known US agencies that had owned these buses by the hundreds. Los Angeles MTA red, orange and yellow, Miami-Dade Transit, NJ Transit, Washington DC Metro red, white & blue, & NYCTA white & blue. These transit agencies come quickly to mind. Also Corgi hasn't released a new US Fishbowl in years, so there is plenty of room for a new correctly done Rapido 1/50 scale bus if you were to do one. Tidbit: ANYTHING NYCTA and resembles a GM Fishbowl bus will sell! About 12-15 years ago, (pre-Busch Fishbowl) there was a Chinese company which mass produced a NYC area Fishbowl bus in their current white & blue colors in 1/72 scale . The added bonus: a friction motor! I would see these same buses today sell on the streets for roughly 2/$10-15. I remember Trainworld use to sell these in their Brooklyn store. Even The New York Transit Museum in GCT got in on the action selling these crude looking buses and it wasn't a licensed product! One of the same buses just sold on eBay for $18! And aside from looking toyish & very poorly painted, these still sell by the bunches for some reason. Last year, I remember seeing some guys a couple of train shows buying & selling these same buses by the case (24 to a box). I would kindly ask some of those same buyers what they were going to do with their purchase and they would reply that they were going into NYC and hawk them to tourist. NYCTA runs their old buses in revenue service during the holidays every year which might have something to do with the high demand & nostalgia. You can count me in to buy quite a few of your HO bus models to add to my collection. I've personally put the word out to a few "Hot Wheels" collectors about the Rapido bus and there is a lot of interest. However, most weren't aware your company existed...lol. But IMO, a properly done 1/50 scale GM fishbowl bus with working lights, correct seating configurations, standee windows that you can actually see through and the correct rear exit doors, you guys will have a hit on your hands. I know the O scale guys will buy them, as well as diecast & bus collectors, which there are plenty. Last note: Please consider doing ANY scale Fishbowl bus (or Flxible bus) with the Bus-O-Rama or "batwing" roof advertisement panels (Busch did one in HO for Miami Dade Transit a few years ago, and it can't be found anywhere). I'd personally would commit to a dozen or so in whatever scale. |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Nov 20, 2016 12:58:03 GMT -8
Ok, while we're on the subject, I've got a question: why choose 1/50th scale? Why not O-scale at 1/48th (which is also a popular plastic aircraft kit scale)? Is there a reason why 1/50th even exists? Especially when 1/48th is right there...
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Post by edwardsutorik on Nov 20, 2016 13:26:47 GMT -8
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Post by BEDT26 on Nov 20, 2016 18:02:32 GMT -8
Hi Jason could you please post a photo of the PENN CENTRAL RDC if it's not too much trouble.
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Post by rapidotrains on Nov 20, 2016 20:42:35 GMT -8
Hi Jason could you please post a photo of the PENN CENTRAL RDC if it's not too much trouble. No trouble at all. The shells are on the tampo QC table right now. I just grabbed these and took the photos, so they have not been tidied or cleaned up yet. Three photos below. -Jason    |
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Post by slowfreight on Nov 20, 2016 21:01:33 GMT -8
The ghosted NH lettering is a classy touch.
If only you could be convinced to do ex-MILW bilevels...
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Post by gmpullman on Nov 20, 2016 22:25:55 GMT -8
The ghosted NH lettering is a classy touch. Agreed! I'm in for an additional pair! Great work, Jason! Regards, Ed |
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Post by BEDT26 on Nov 21, 2016 3:16:44 GMT -8
Jason that's sweet looking and love the faded New Haven lettering thanks for sharing I really appreciate it.
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Post by jonklein611 on Nov 22, 2016 4:44:44 GMT -8
It's shipping day!
Why is my wallet on fire?
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Post by fishbowlbus on Nov 9, 2018 14:52:43 GMT -8
I second the need for the New Look Flxible in HO. But for those who really want a Flxible just to add to the collection, the first generation New Look Flxible will be done in 1/48 scale by St. Petersburg Tram Collection. www.sptc-spb.ru/scale-shop/?Shop=26Jason, if the demand is there, will you consider doing any transit buses in 1/50 scale, like the Corgi GM buses? I would definitely consider doing a bus in 1/50. What disappoints me about the Corgi model is how wrong it is. Not a single dimension is correct. Even the windows are the wrong shape. But because they sold a metric zillion of them we can never do them in 1/50. Just like the GO cars in HO. The Athearn model is a stand-in but most people don't know or care. But I have no complaints about the Athearn GO cars. It was because of those that I started Rapido. -Jason so it seems I'll have a time cutting, filing and grinding and filling my corgis for a while. |
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Post by fishbowlbus on Nov 9, 2018 14:57:57 GMT -8
I would definitely consider doing a bus in 1/50. What disappoints me about the Corgi model is how wrong it is. Not a single dimension is correct. Even the windows are the wrong shape. But because they sold a metric zillion of them we can never do them in 1/50. Just like the GO cars in HO. The Athearn model is a stand-in but most people don't know or care. But I have no complaints about the Athearn GO cars. It was because of those that I started Rapido. -Jason Hi Jason, Thanks for possibly considering a 1/50 scale Fishbowl bus. Just a nudge to the dark side if I may. As many Corgi GM Fishbowl buses were mass produced, Corgi only nipped the corners with the number of transit agencies that owned these iconic buses. I don't know if that had to do with licensing with transit agencies or consumer demand but Corgi missed out on doing some of the most well known US agencies that had owned these buses by the hundreds. Los Angeles MTA red, orange and yellow, Miami-Dade Transit, NJ Transit, Washington DC Metro red, white & blue, & NYCTA white & blue. These transit agencies come quickly to mind. Also Corgi hasn't released a new US Fishbowl in years, so there is plenty of room for a new correctly done Rapido 1/50 scale bus if you were to do one. Tidbit: ANYTHING NYCTA and resembles a GM Fishbowl bus will sell! About 12-15 years ago, (pre-Busch Fishbowl) there was a Chinese company which mass produced a NYC area Fishbowl bus in their current white & blue colors in 1/72 scale . The added bonus: a friction motor! I would see these same buses today sell on the streets for roughly 2/$10-15. I remember Trainworld use to sell these in their Brooklyn store. Even The New York Transit Museum in GCT got in on the action selling these crude looking buses and it wasn't a licensed product! One of the same buses just sold on eBay for $18! And aside from looking toyish & very poorly painted, these still sell by the bunches for some reason. Last year, I remember seeing some guys a couple of train shows buying & selling these same buses by the case (24 to a box). I would kindly ask some of those same buyers what they were going to do with their purchase and they would reply that they were going into NYC and hawk them to tourist. NYCTA runs their old buses in revenue service during the holidays every year which might have something to do with the high demand & nostalgia. You can count me in to buy quite a few of your HO bus models to add to my collection. I've personally put the word out to a few "Hot Wheels" collectors about the Rapido bus and there is a lot of interest. However, most weren't aware your company existed...lol. But IMO, a properly done 1/50 scale GM fishbowl bus with working lights, correct seating configurations, standee windows that you can actually see through and the correct rear exit doors, you guys will have a hit on your hands. I know the O scale guys will buy them, as well as diecast & bus collectors, which there are plenty. Last note: Please consider doing ANY scale Fishbowl bus (or Flxible bus) with the Bus-O-Rama or "batwing" roof advertisement panels (Busch did one in HO for Miami Dade Transit a few years ago, and it can't be found anywhere). I'd personally would commit to a dozen or so in whatever scale. I am hoping that by now there is a market for more 1/50 scale fishbowl buses that resemble the real thing in every way including the windshield and the front of the bus, the driver's window is critical to those of us who notice details. |
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