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Post by riogrande on Jun 3, 2019 9:00:59 GMT -8
So what was announced? A Ski Train? In this newsletter: New! Later Phase F40PH Locomotives - HO Finally! The new later phase F40PH's have been something on my want list for a long time - a high quality Amtrak F40PH that pulled the Amtrak California Zephy thru the Rockies. The only thing missing from an early 1980's Amtrak CZ is the ex-ATSF El Capitan step down coachs in phase III paint. For some reason Walthers has offered only early phase paint and ignored the version used on the Amtrak CZ. Or am I wrong? Anyway, next year is going to be expensive for engines between the Genesis GP40-2's, SDP40F's and now the Rapido F40PH's.
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Post by jonklein611 on Jun 3, 2019 9:12:19 GMT -8
In this newsletter: New! Later Phase F40PH Locomotives - HO Finally! The new later phase F40PH's have been something on my want list for a long time - a high quality Amtrak F40PH that pulled the Amtrak California Zephy thru the Rockies. The only thing missing from an early 1980's Amtrak CZ is the ex-ATSF El Capitan step down coachs in phase III paint. For some reason Walthers has offered only early phase paint and ignored the version used on the Amtrak CZ. Or am I wrong? Anyway, next year is going to be expensive for engines between the Genesis GP40-2's, SDP40F's and now the Rapido F40PH's. www.rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/diesel-locomotives/ho-scale-later-phase-f40phHopefully they got one for ya there.
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Post by packer on Jun 3, 2019 9:52:23 GMT -8
In this newsletter: New! Later Phase F40PH Locomotives - HO Finally! The new later phase F40PH's have been something on my want list for a long time - a high quality Amtrak F40PH that pulled the Amtrak California Zephy thru the Rockies. The only thing missing from an early 1980's Amtrak CZ is the ex-ATSF El Capitan step down coachs in phase III paint. For some reason Walthers has offered only early phase paint and ignored the version used on the Amtrak CZ. Or am I wrong? Anyway, next year is going to be expensive for engines between the Genesis GP40-2's, SDP40F's and now the Rapido F40PH's. I have a step down car in phase II paint. Wishing someone would do the car after they were rebuilt and put in phase III paint. Car is good for the EB too.
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Post by craigz on Jun 3, 2019 10:01:05 GMT -8
A couple of quick comments/clarifications: ONE of the announcements is indeed the URSA 40' Double-sheathed wood boxcar that we previewed at the NERPM this weekend. The car will have K- or AB brakes (as appropriate), correct USRA Andrews trucks and Carmer Cut levers. Full information will be on our web site Monday with the others. Regarding product cycles - from the day that we give a go-ahead to a project to the day that you see it available on the shelves tends to be at least two years, often much more. In that last couple of years we have changed the timing of our public product announcements. We now do not announce a project until at least the design work is done, and often not until we have physical samples. This shortens the lead time that you see from announcement to delivery. As to our not delivering anything, this will likely come as a great surprise to our warehouse crew who have been very busy shipping boxes out over the last couple of months, not to mention the dealers who have to pay for those shipments! :>) Bill Rapido Trains It's almost like this guy knows what he's talking about.... We're on the wrong track, Bill. We should be producing one new model every two years and announce it the day it's released, dang it! If we switch to that schedule, I'm told John Sheridan can help you with your resume. But he may end up just doodling cats all over it. -Jason And a Comet car question - why is the three pack more expensive than three singles? Because the three pack cars are numbered? Or is there something else? Not criticizing...but wondering.
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Post by GP40P-2 on Jun 3, 2019 10:11:41 GMT -8
Horizons and Comets? Nice. Body slam to Walthers.
F40PH (phase 2 or 3 it looks like, to lazy to look up which right now) yeah!
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Post by riogrande on Jun 3, 2019 10:26:55 GMT -8
Finally! The new later phase F40PH's have been something on my want list for a long time - a high quality Amtrak F40PH that pulled the Amtrak California Zephy thru the Rockies. The only thing missing from an early 1980's Amtrak CZ is the ex-ATSF El Capitan step down coachs in phase III paint. For some reason Walthers has offered only early phase paint and ignored the version used on the Amtrak CZ. Or am I wrong? Anyway, next year is going to be expensive for engines between the Genesis GP40-2's, SDP40F's and now the Rapido F40PH's. I have a step down car in phase II paint. Wishing someone would do the car after they were rebuilt and put in phase III paint. Car is good for the EB too. When the Amtrak CZ began running on the D&RGW in summer of 1983, the front of the train (F40PH's, baggage cars and step-down coach) were all phase III pain. But all the Superliner cars were in phase 2 paint for a year or two and then the phase 3 paint began filtering in so by the mid-1980's, the Amtrak CZ was a mix of phase 2 and 3. Eventually the step-down coach got a new paint which was phase 3 but the stripe jogged from one level to another. I'm a bit surprised Walthers never offered the phase 3 paint for the stop down coach as the Amtrak Superliner CZ was a popular train. I'm guessing the EB was similarly configured as the CZ from what I've seen.
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Post by valenciajim on Jun 3, 2019 12:00:11 GMT -8
I am thrilled to see the SkiTrain!
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Post by el3672 on Jun 3, 2019 12:56:46 GMT -8
Looks like this announcement has something for most everyone. I'm thrilled to see a detailed and accurate Comet cab & coach. Also nice paint schemes being offered, I can live without the working windshield wipers haha, but no originally delivered EL paint scheme being offered?? So tell me Rapido guys, will I see EL in a future run?
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Post by riogrande on Jun 3, 2019 13:00:03 GMT -8
Finally! The new later phase F40PH's have been something on my want list for a long time - a high quality Amtrak F40PH that pulled the Amtrak California Zephy thru the Rockies. The only thing missing from an early 1980's Amtrak CZ is the ex-ATSF El Capitan step down coachs in phase III paint. For some reason Walthers has offered only early phase paint and ignored the version used on the Amtrak CZ. Or am I wrong? Anyway, next year is going to be expensive for engines between the Genesis GP40-2's, SDP40F's and now the Rapido F40PH's. www.rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/diesel-locomotives/ho-scale-later-phase-f40phHopefully they got one for ya there. Yep. Looks like there are 4 numbers in Phase III paint with no ditch lights. Those will do!
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Post by lackawanna1223 on Jun 3, 2019 13:16:27 GMT -8
Looks like this announcement has something for most everyone. I'm thrilled to see a detailed and accurate Comet cab & coach. Also nice paint schemes being offered, I can live without the working windshield wipers haha, but no originally delivered EL paint scheme being offered?? So tell me Rapido guys, will I see EL in a future run? Jason et al can confirm but I believe that the EL/DOT cars were the early, lower door variant and not this phase. Not sure if they’ll do them. I rode the ex EL/DOT and later NJT cars a ton as a kid in the Jersey suburban zone.
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Post by brakie on Jun 3, 2019 13:51:33 GMT -8
For years I wanted to model Amtrak's 1978 "Cardinal" now, there's a way to model that Cardinal.
The $64,000 question is should I since I have no where run it since I'm in a retirement home?
I guess I could display it or perhaps join a nearby club.
Decisions, decisions.
And people wonder why my 1954 steam era idea faded into the sunset.
To many nice models coming out.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jun 3, 2019 14:20:47 GMT -8
Brakie,
Still another possibility: IF the retirement home has a "public space" that is properly secure, you might be able to get a Free-mo setup in there. Since you'd be instrumental in supplying the space, you clearly would be able to run on the layout. Plus, you and your crowd of rowdies and ne'er do wells (otherwise known as docile residents) don't have to drive anywhere to enjoy it--the show comes to YOU. A lot of retirement places would LOVE to have someone come in to provide, well, fun.
PM me if it looks promising and you want some help on it.
Ed
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Post by el3672 on Jun 3, 2019 17:04:00 GMT -8
Looks like this announcement has something for most everyone. I'm thrilled to see a detailed and accurate Comet cab & coach. Also nice paint schemes being offered, I can live without the working windshield wipers haha, but no originally delivered EL paint scheme being offered?? So tell me Rapido guys, will I see EL in a future run? Jason et al can confirm but I believe that the EL/DOT cars were the early, lower door variant and not this phase. Not sure if they’ll do them. I rode the ex EL/DOT and later NJT cars a ton as a kid in the Jersey suburban zone. Thanks Lacka1223......you are correct, the Orignal EL delivery were the lower door phase 1. Even tho the Rapido variant is a phase 2 high door these cars are very close in all other aspects. Fingers crossed for a phase 1. Yea I rode in these early comets back in the fall of '74 Middletown - Hoboken and even the stillwells behind E-8's just prior to replacement regularly.
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Post by slowfreight on Jun 4, 2019 4:53:58 GMT -8
Looks like this announcement has something for most everyone. I'm thrilled to see a detailed and accurate Comet cab & coach. Also nice paint schemes being offered, I can live without the working windshield wipers haha, but no originally delivered EL paint scheme being offered?? So tell me Rapido guys, will I see EL in a future run? Jason et al can confirm but I believe that the EL/DOT cars were the early, lower door variant and not this phase. Not sure if they’ll do them. I rode the ex EL/DOT and later NJT cars a ton as a kid in the Jersey suburban zone. Correct. These will not be good for the NJDoT cars. And the Comet I bodies are so different you can't get from here to there using a Comet II.
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Post by slowfreight on Jun 4, 2019 4:58:01 GMT -8
I guess I'm taking too long in finishing my Comet cars to take credit for the Rapido announcement??
Still, it's been fun upgrading the old Walthers cars. Somehow, I will turn the sow's ear of an IMW Comet I into a car that runs with my Walthers Comet II cars. And ironically, I've sold some of the Walthers cars for the same price Rapido is quoting for their 100% model. $100/car is totally fair for what you're getting.
I'm all in for the Phase II-striped F40, but there's a part of me that's frustrated RTA and Metra have still not received any love from Rapido.
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Post by talltim on Jun 4, 2019 7:22:56 GMT -8
It's almost like this guy knows what he's talking about.... We're on the wrong track, Bill. We should be producing one new model every two years and announce it the day it's released, dang it! If we switch to that schedule, I'm told John Sheridan can help you with your resume. But he may end up just doodling cats all over it. -Jason And a Comet car question - why is the three pack more expensive than three singles? Because the three pack cars are numbered? Or is there something else? Not criticizing...but wondering. I think because the three pack includes a cab car with headlights etc whereas the single car is a trailer with just interior lighting.
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Post by gevohogger on Jun 4, 2019 7:39:06 GMT -8
For years I wanted to model Amtrak's 1978 "Cardinal" now, there's a way to model that Cardinal. We still don't have a P30CH which was the regular power on the Cardinal back in 1978-79.
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Post by trainworm on Jun 4, 2019 8:28:55 GMT -8
I really need a ski train. But I dont know why.
I just do.
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Post by brakie on Jun 4, 2019 16:24:01 GMT -8
For years I wanted to model Amtrak's 1978 "Cardinal" now, there's a way to model that Cardinal. We still don't have a P30CH which was the regular power on the Cardinal Cardinal back in 1978-79. Interesting. Did the Cardinal change motive power enroute ? The Cardinal through W.Va and KY usually a single F40PH pulling four to five cars.
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Post by peoriaman on Jun 4, 2019 17:02:18 GMT -8
Interesting. Did the Cardinal change motive power enroute ? The Cardinal through W.Va and KY usually a single F40PH pulling four to five cars. FWIW I remember it back during that time frame in Indiana on the old C&O of Indiana... Of course logic suggests it probably wasn't 100% P30CH or F40PH exclusively. A quick search on Flickr reveals photos in 1978 at Alexandria VA and Cincinnati with P30s... So your mileage may vary.
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Post by pboilermaker on Jun 4, 2019 17:04:03 GMT -8
Holy cow, CSX F40PH's with the CSX-modified fuel tank/battery box mods!!!!
I know Jason taunted the people waiting to buy later phase Amtrak F40's to buy early and often, and I will do my part. The CSX units, though, are a huge surprise and must-buy as well.
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Post by John Sheridan on Jun 6, 2019 7:14:59 GMT -8
Looks like this announcement has something for most everyone. I'm thrilled to see a detailed and accurate Comet cab & coach. Also nice paint schemes being offered, I can live without the working windshield wipers haha, but no originally delivered EL paint scheme being offered?? So tell me Rapido guys, will I see EL in a future run? The EL Cars (aka the original comet cars) are the Phase I version which are different than the Phase 2 cars we are doing. If these cars do well, i'm sure Jason will be willing to take a look at maybe doing the EL cars if the demand is there for them.
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Post by riogrande on Jun 6, 2019 7:41:16 GMT -8
I know Jason taunted the people waiting to buy later phase Amtrak F40's to buy early and often, and I will do my part. He did, and I did my part and bought an Amtrak F40PH early phase even though they were probably rarely used on the Amtrak CZ.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2019 13:56:01 GMT -8
I bought 2 f40s despite not really wanting any without ditch lights. Then I promptly switched to n scale. There's a lesson there somewhere, I think...
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Post by NJT4130 on Jun 7, 2019 10:33:43 GMT -8
Hello all (and my first post.)
It was the announcement by Rapido for the Comet II series that pushed me from a long time (even on the original Atlas forum) lurker to member.
This has to be the most welcome announcement of the year so far. While I figured the Horizon cars would be done eventually, I did not think the Comets were.
I noticed that the New Jersey Transit cab car version is the only one not to include ditch lights on them. I hope this is true and not an oversight as many cab cars did not have them still into the mid-late 1990's (looking at my own photos, #5135 in 1997 still did not have them.) A "no ditch light" NJT cab car would sync with this run of NJT F40PH's. Perhaps ditch light-equipped models can happen in a future run (especially as the cars were rebuilt and paired with F40PH-2CAT's.
You may also want to check the coach car numbers for NJT, as I believe the "53XX" series reflects the rebuild numbers. From my own archives, I see a lot of 56XX and 57XX coaches in the 1987-late 90's era.
Rapido thank you for doing the Comets, this is such a welcome announcement.
-Martin
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Post by notabob on Jun 11, 2019 8:29:54 GMT -8
To the Rapido product managers reading this over Jason's shoulder (or directly) - are the as-delivered commuter F40PHs (MBTA, specifically) set in stone at this point, or are they still "in design", so to speak?
As a bit of a market study, I polled members in the MBTA modelers group on FB (>300 members strong) whether they would prefer to see the F40PH come with ditch lights or without. An overwhelming majority of respondents so far (>92% at this writing, though the poll is still active) want to see the MBTA F40PH with ditch lights. I would also call to your attention the fact that the MBTA Comet cab cars you're offering are equipped with ditch lights (per the renderings on your website). Further, the marker light position you show on the MBTA F40PH rendering (next to number boards) is indicative of the ditch light-equipped locomotives. The as-delivered MBTA F40PH had the markers in a different position on the nose itself.
Between the fact that the cab cars look like they will have ditch lights, the planned marker light positions already being consistent for ditch light-equipped units, and the fact that you are already going to be offering ditch light-equipped later phase F40PH models for other roads (granted, those have DBs, but I would hope that your tooling is sufficiently modular to accommodate for this variation) - I would strongly encourage Rapido to offer MBTA F40PH models with ditch lights in this first run.
Thanks for your consideration,
-Notabob.
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Post by ambluco on Jun 11, 2019 8:34:27 GMT -8
I too would prefer ditch-lights on the MBTA F40, maybe #1007.
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Post by gevohogger on Jun 11, 2019 8:46:20 GMT -8
I didn't see Florida's Tri-Rail represented amongst the new F40PH releases; is it a different phase perhaps?
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jun 11, 2019 13:10:36 GMT -8
notabob, The Rapido MBTA F40PH's are not "as delivered". The "as delivered" locos had the red "bug eye" markers on the nose and, for 1000-1012, a different paint scheme with the black windshield area and wide yellow nose stripes. These models don't have the bug eyes; the Rapido models have the red markers are next to the number boards and the conventional paint scheme, which means that these are the "as rebuilt" F40PH's. In 1989-90, the F40PH's were all rebuilt and as such they had no ditch lights. They did not receive ditch lights until 1998-ish, and when they did it the T used a different purple paint to cover up the area above the ditchlights, which they never fixed.
So, to sum up 1013-1017: 1980-1990: Red bug eye markers, no ditchlights, 1013 repainted into reverse MBTA scheme in 1985. 1990-1998: No bug eyes, no ditchlights, all repainted into “normal” MBTA scheme. 1999-2015: No bug eyes, added ditchlights with lighter purple patches above until out-of-service in 2015.
The Rapido model will be accurate for 1990-1998.
ambluco, They aren't making the 1000-1012 F40PH's, probably because they are probably an earlier phase model. The 1013-1017 F40PH's were ordered and delivered a year after the first batch.
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Post by talltim on Jun 12, 2019 3:01:32 GMT -8
And a Comet car question - why is the three pack more expensive than three singles? Because the three pack cars are numbered? Or is there something else? Not criticizing...but wondering. I think because the three pack includes a cab car with headlights etc whereas the single car is a trailer with just interior lighting. Although I’ve just realised the undec cab car is the same price as the trailers
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