|
Post by rapidotrains on Dec 10, 2019 11:34:47 GMT -8
That looks great! I especially like the beacons on the MOW trucks...
Thanks for sharing!
-Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Nov 6, 2019 19:59:03 GMT -8
We're honoured to be included up there with the Highliners shells. Thank you very much! Some thoughts: 1. As far as we've heard, all F units of a given era did indeed have the same nose. They were formed around a common core(s) at LaGrange and at GMDD, and these cores were identical. 2. We did a scan of the FPA-4 nose. That was our first 3D scan. For the FP9A, we were given the original EMD blueprints for the nose that included cross sections every inch up. It took Bill and Huang over a month going back and forth to get the contours of the model to match the EMD blueprints. Each time it would be off by - literally - 1/4" here or there. Bill would mark it up and send it back. That's when we realized that it was much more cost effective and simpler to invest in a 3D scan. Since then we have scanned every locomotive that has compound curves. We still occasionally get it wrong in the translation, though - hence the very costly retool of the RS-11 cab. 3. For the cab windows, Dan and I went to the far-from-opened Toronto Railway Museum where there was an F7 nose with no windshield glass. We filled the space with paper and traced the openings. Then we used a contour gauge to measure the area around the windshields every three inches, and we double checked the angles and distances on the cab with various measuring tools. These 1:1 drawings were scanned and then shrunk to HO scale and used by Huang and Bill to fix the cab area. I say the museum was "far from opened" because it was about -11 Celsius and there was no heat. Here's a photo from that windshield excursion. According to my computer, it was December 17, 2009. My hair was still black. It's now approaching white. That's what running a model train company will do to you... -Jason (Edited to fix image link.)
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Nov 3, 2019 17:51:47 GMT -8
On which engine did it do that? That wasn't how it was designed to work. -Jason All the files I've downloaded and installed (all pre-version 5) worked that way. That was even how Matt explained it to me. Once you entered into manual notching (or is that different again ?) the only way back to full automatic was to turn it off and come to a full stop. Fortunately, the Full Throttle feature overcame that problem. Mark. Ah... I see. Those aren't our files. Our files are only available in our locomotives and custom decoders. On our files, you can pretty much play "Straight to 8" like an instrument. This is why when the Drive Hold feature was introduced and everyone asked us for it, I was confused as it sounded a lot like what we had already. Mohan will see what we can do with TCS that will offer a similar amount of independent control to what we have now. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Nov 3, 2019 9:03:09 GMT -8
The only downfall with the "straight to 8" feature, is that once it was selected to raise or lower the prime mover independent of the throttle, it was essentially stuck in that mode until you brought the engine to a full stop. Then it would revert back to auto where the prime mover re-acted to the throttle position again. Matt just couldn't get it to revert back to auto mode on the fly. Mark. On which engine did it do that? That wasn't how it was designed to work. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Nov 2, 2019 16:28:04 GMT -8
One advantage to putting the TCS WOW sound in the PAs is that the PAs won't be run with any other engines. Loksound has their Drive Hold feature that won't work when mu'd to other brands of decoders. If Rapido moves to TCS for any future road offerings, that could be a nightmare. Mark. We're not actually using WOW Sound. TCS has developed a new OEM decoder which will be used in our PA/PB models. We will be customizing the decoders to play nicely with our ESU-equipped models. Even before ESU introduced Drive Hold, all of our decoders had a "straight to 8" function ("straight to 4" in the RDC). This allowed you to ramp up the prime mover without affecting the locomotive speed. If you watch our first RDC video, Matt Herman uses this feature really well and I would argue that it sounds a heck of a lot like ESU's Drive Hold feature. Watch around the five minute mark: I am confident that for the vast majority of our customers, there will not be a noticeable difference between our TCS decoders and our ESU decoders. The hardcore ESU fans will choose to install their own decoders, but many of them already do that with our existing models. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Oct 31, 2019 13:13:03 GMT -8
Hi all, I've read through the whole thread and I'm hoping to be able to answer some of the concerns raised. Firstly, please be assured that we are all working towards the same goal - to better our hobby with great models. Remember, I started Rapido as a model railroader who wanted neat stuff for my layout, and today most of Rapido's employees are model railroaders. In fact, all of us are except for Sidura, Janet, Roslyn and Lystra. There is something they have in common, but I can't figure out what... Secondly, I want you to know that we do very much appreciate the knowledge and expertise that many of you have and that you share with us. A lot of the anger about CSX seems to be coming from a misunderstanding about what we could and could not achieve with the B36-7 models, and I apologize for that. I also sent a personal email to Nick O'Dell who did such a wonderful job on painting diagrams for us. We just couldn't do all of the unit-by-unit variations, and I understand how disappointed this would be to a serious CSX modeler. Here are some comments on the B36-7 in general. Regarding the bolsters - as far as we know, these are correct for all of our models. Craig assures me as such. However, we are double checking this, but it hasn't been that easy to find original drawings. If anyone can help, that would be great. That being said, it is phenomenally expensive to do a truck centers change, and we would only be able to pay for it if it was justified. If we're talking 36'8" vs. 37'2", that is 1.75mm. We still have to make a profit on these models, and spending $10,000+ for a 1.75mm truck center difference would not be worth the cost unless there was some incredibly glaring detail that would call attention to it. The fact that few people seem to be 100% certain about the bolster spacing on these units is proof that this is not a make-or-break detail. Regarding the CSX step wells, I am looking at prototype photos and I could only see what people are talking about when Jordan pointed it out to me. It seems that the big issue is that the bottom 2mm of the side sheet metal beside the step well should be tapered slightly on the CSX B36-7 engines. Accuracy is very important to all of us, but it has to make financial sense. I honestly don't remember if Gareth came to me with this detail or not, but I would never have approved retooling multiple versions of the frame just to angle in 1mm x 2mm of the frame corner. We were already tooling different versions to account for all the louvers etc. To add another variable would have cost a fortune for a tiny detail. These models have to make money, or we can't make them. This comes back to the CSX lettering. Every CSX unit has different lettering. This is not possible for us to do in a mass production environment. This is similar to the RS-11 - every single PC repaint has the worms in a different location. They moved by a few inches in each direction, or the PENN CENTRAL spacing changed, or countless other tiny differences. We had to compromise. If we had sold 300 units of each number, no problem. But it's not possible when we're selling 60-100 pieces of a number. I will admit that we missed the fact that one CSX B36-7 locomotive number should have a slightly thicker font on the number boards, but this was an honest mistake. That is a variation we could have easily done. I'm not understanding the negativity in some of the messages in this thread. As I said at the beginning of this email - we're all working to the same goal. We want great model trains. If we screw up - like the factory putting snubbers everywhere they can stick one - then we will of course make it better. In that case, as I said a few days ago, we will send customers new truck sideframes at our cost when they arrive. But to pile on us for not doing a 1mm x 2mm taper on a step well - I'm really not understanding it. There has to be some kind of reasonability test. If we put a Santa Fe cab on a CSX engine, take us to task. But the CSX step wells is a tiny detail. We're honestly trying our best here, and I'm not sure why there is so much hostility. Best regards, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Oct 31, 2019 6:42:54 GMT -8
Hi all,
At this point we still haven't pinpointed the issue, nor why it is affecting some DCC models and not others. We've got Mohan - who is an elctronics engineer - and a team of people at the factory, motor vendor and PCB vendor working on it. They are also working with ESU to find the solution. We haven't found it yet, but that does not mean we aren't working on it.
I can also assure you - as we said in the newsletter - that we will fix any model that develops the problem.
The observations of motor issues in three models from the LRC factory are correct in that the warranty rate for the SW1200RS, Hudson and now RS-18 have been much higher than normal. The return rate of the 1200RS and Hudson were both around 6%, which is four times the usual return rate. During the same period, the LRC factory delivered the N scale TurboTrain and HO RDC with a return rate below 1%.
The trouble is that all three projects have had completely different issues coming up. We are talking with new motor suppliers.
Mohan is working with the LRC factory to do our best to prevent any further motor issues. We're also using a new PCB vendor going forward.
When we have a solution to the RS-18 problem, we will share it.
Best regards,
Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Oct 25, 2019 9:16:29 GMT -8
Tom, Yes, I would assume Rapido will run a production of side frames for people who know they are incorrect. It’s very noticeable on the FB truck design if they are in fact wrong on the production models. I’m guessing they are just waiting until they show up to make the inspection. I hope they are correct. Have 10 on order. 4 are SBD tote boats John Hi all, We do not monitor all of the forums all the time, and only just learned of this thread. There is no way I can respond to all of the criticisms in this thread as many of them are taking a very nasty turn, even discussing Rapido employees in a negative tone. Honestly, I think it's pretty awful when it gets personal, and I don't expect my team to respond to personal attacks. The team will have a look at some of the issues raised in the thread and someone will respond to the ones that can be responded to. One thing I can say is that the B36-7 truck snubbers are indeed a factory mistake. We will be making extra sideframes and providing them at no charge to anyone who requests them. Best regards, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Oct 13, 2019 11:11:09 GMT -8
The latest Rapido News is now online: conta.cc/2McSwcdThis includes: - new tooling updates - order deadlines - now for the HO ten wheelers and October 31 for FL9 and N Canadian stuff - F9B/F7B relaunch - delivery schedule - and more Thanks for reading, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Sept 26, 2019 17:26:38 GMT -8
That's really, really cool. Wish we could do that on our models! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Sept 9, 2019 1:37:43 GMT -8
Do you know if you got enough pre orders to do the correct window arrangement on the ski train snack coaches? I have the whole train on order. Cant wait! Good morning/afternoon from somewhere over the Pacific! We won't know until all the orders are in. Most of our orders come in the last two or three days. So we'll have an idea at the end of the week. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Sept 8, 2019 10:45:18 GMT -8
Hi all, Our latest newsletter is online: conta.cc/34toiJeIn this edition: - Details about our 3D scan party in Portland on Octobr 27th - Order deadline info for the USRA boxcars and rallying call for American modelers (see below) - Order deadline for the Ski Train and Pullman-Standard Diner - Big update on the N scale Dash 8-40CM - and more! The diners, Ski Train and USRA boxcars need to be reserved ASAP, preferably by Thursday. Thanks for reading, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Sept 4, 2019 11:30:58 GMT -8
Those Tempos are really nice and I'm seriously considering a VIA set. Keep up the good work, you guys seem to be the only game in town when it comes to passenger cars with great detail. BTW Rapido, any chance of a re-release of Budd 60 seat coaches? AFAIK, there's no mfg. producing or announcing any new or re-release of Budd, Pullman or AC&F coaches with any seating arrangement. Thanks! We're looking at the old moulds next week when I am in China and we'll see what kind of condition they are in. The old factory says they can refurbish them... Hopefully they are right. In their current state, the moulds can't be injected reliably. If they can be fixed, then more Budd cars are a possibility. The first LRC test castings came back nicely, so I am optimistic. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 31, 2019 17:36:32 GMT -8
Tossing boxes from one person to another is no problem and never has been. The packaging is designed to withstand a 1 metre (39 inches) drop test at a minimum, and that's to bare floor rather than to someone's hands.
The way some of our packages are treated by courier and postal services is shocking. Forget 1 metre - they are dropped from more than one storey.
"The Canadian" packaging was revised to withstand a massive drop because the first models kept getting stirrups sheared off:
Look how much hair Dan has!!!!
-Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 30, 2019 5:20:19 GMT -8
It's simply gorgeous guys! If this is any indication of what the Horizon/Comet project will be, I may have to increase my bulk car order! Keep up the amazing work! -Martin Thanks! Yes, the Horizons are broadly based on the Tempo construction and will be similarly detailed. Actually, we've been very surprised by the fact that the Comet orders are much higher than the Horizons. I would have thought it to be the other way around. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 29, 2019 12:53:05 GMT -8
Hi all,
After so many years of trying to get other people (on this forum!) to make the Tempo, we have finally made it and it's finally here.
We shot a quick video of the arrival of the container and Josh unboxing the train:
Thanks for watching,
Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 9, 2019 10:13:02 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 7, 2019 5:49:15 GMT -8
Looks straight! Fantastic you were able to rework these cars! I assume you will inform the factory that, for the schemes offered in this run, all of the six-panel cars should have trough hatches while the all of the 11-panel cars should have round hatches? (The samples are swapped) Was anything done to improve and eliminate the warping issues with the trucks? In the last photo, it looks like wheel R-1 (nearest axle, far side) is floating and not touching the ground. Finally, please note the following previously-posted information regarding the roadnumbers selected for the CNIS and CN Environmental Mode cars: -The CNIS cars in the CNIS 368000-368999 series were built by NSC in 1974. There appears to be a running change within this series with the low-numbered cars having 9 side panels and the higher-numbered cars having 11 panels like the Rapido model. Only three of the numbers offered by Rapido fall in the correct range (~368300 and up) that matches the model. -The CN "Environmental Mode" cars first appeared in mid-1991. For this scheme, Rapido has selected car numbers that span two different car series. Four numbers are in series CN 370881-371580 built by NSC in 1966-67; these are 3850 cuft cars that have a slightly different pattern of side panels and weld seams. Only two numbers are in series CN 371600-371999 built by NSC in 1975 that are actually 3800s and match the Rapido model. Unsure why Rapido did not select six numbers in this higher range that received the Environmental Mode logo. I can only respond to your first two points, not the numbering stuff as I'm not the expert. These samples were made to show the tooling. The choice of hatches will be determined by the artworks we create for the factory during production. They will be correct in production. The truck issue was that they were painted and they weren't supposed to be. The mounting holes do not have the slop to allow for paint. Rest assured we will make sure that the trucks have that extra space or are injected in the correct colour and do not have paint on them. You've been talking with Josh and Dan, right? They are the ones to discuss any numbering issues, and we can talk with you before announcing numbers for the next run. Please reach out to them if you haven't already. janderchek AT rapidotrains DOT com. Tell him I sent you. He's on vacation this week but he will get back to you. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 7, 2019 5:43:41 GMT -8
Are the weld seams really that big? Ed They are smidge over 0.1mm on the cars. We can't go any smaller. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 6, 2019 18:22:01 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 6, 2019 18:17:30 GMT -8
Jason, Just wondering why I did not receive your info on my email? I am on your mailing list, but no Rapido News online since last month sometime, As I recall. Send us a note and we'll check. Or you can resubscribe here: tinyurl.com/RapidoNews-Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 6, 2019 15:26:53 GMT -8
Great as always Jason! I am going to order a Ski Train.... just because! heh.... who says "commuter trains" don't sell? They even called me to confirm it wasn't a typo for 32 NJ Transit Comet II coaches. Hoping this paves the way to more awesome commuter stuff from you guys. I saw on social media some were asking for a Comet IB coach/cab car, you can put me in for quite a few as well to push this along haha. Please keep up the good work! Quick question, will there be unnumbered cab cars in HO eventually (or a special order)? As two cabs is just not enough haha. -Martin Thanks for the support! We can only do unnumbered cab cars in a set of six. If you want them, have your dealer contact us or get in touch directly via email. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 6, 2019 10:34:27 GMT -8
"We have the oil and the propane. It's an oily propane. A propaney oil. It's everything! This is a superduper propane oil tank car." ... Order yours today! Yeah that covers it.... That entire section, in case you couldn't tell, was entirely unscripted. We were laughing so hard I could hardly breathe by the end. Richard is one of my best friends. He is giving me a really hard time on the oil tank. I told him to pull the oil tank off his model... -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 5, 2019 19:24:37 GMT -8
Thanks! The factory says they will be ready to leave by the end of this month but my guess is mid-September. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 5, 2019 15:30:24 GMT -8
Hi all, The latest Rapido News is now online: - We're hiring! - New videos - Spring Creek exclusive Ski Train cars - Big order deadline The August 12th order deadline is for the NP boxcars and the 3800 cu. ft. hoppers. Full information here: conta.cc/31kF2QE Thanks for reading, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Aug 2, 2019 15:45:51 GMT -8
Gotta love the framed Beatles photos from the White album in Jasons office! I knew I liked something about him!! Now about that EL NW2 you didn’t announce?? Tom I can't say much about an NW2, but I can say that I have first UK pressings of every Beatles LP. I bought them 25-30 years ago and paid $15 at the most for each one. I can't imagine what I would have to pay now. They are on a shelf below the turntable in the 1:1 coach. I even have John & Yoko's Wedding Album and all that weird Zapple junk. You can spot John & Yoko in the "Guy with the train in his basement" video (below). I've been a Beatles fan all my life. You are evidently a man of good taste! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jul 25, 2019 18:33:05 GMT -8
Love to see how Rapido's grown with staff over the years. Thanks! As Dave pointed out, managing the growth has been our challenge. 1% to 2% return rate is easy when you are only shipping out 5,000 models a year. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jul 25, 2019 18:32:01 GMT -8
"Basically we can build everything from an NW2 and up." Yes! He wasn't supposed to say that..... But it is true. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jul 25, 2019 11:59:12 GMT -8
Jordan didn't show his own office. He sits in the hallway.
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jul 25, 2019 9:28:11 GMT -8
Ah, beauty! Jordan's epitaph is already prepared... -Jason
|
|