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Post by rapidotrains on Mar 11, 2014 14:27:18 GMT -8
Dey ran in Ontario too, eh hoser Beauty, eh. I HAD NO IDEA!!!!! That is awesome. Another reason why I need this.... -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Mar 11, 2014 13:27:19 GMT -8
And we still need more Tempos. Sorry. Couldn't resist. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Mar 11, 2014 13:17:50 GMT -8
And Rohr Turboliners for New York State and southern Quebec -- they did run to Montreal. Hmm -- I wonder if the Rohr Turboliner was ever made in brass? Sorry - I was the one that took this thread off course. I apologize! I haven't seen the Rohrs in brass but I'd be willing to take it on at some point. We're looking to get into the brass market via the co-op thing I've mentioned before, hopefully as early as next year. I think as a crowd-sourced co-op thing, brass can have a solid future. The trouble with for-profit brass models is that the margins are so tight. I could never bring out a for-profit brass model, as I would have to sink $100K into the project in order to bring in $120K in sales nine months later. That's not sustainable unless you are sitting on a huge whack of cash and you absolutely need to spend it. Now if anyone is volunteering..... -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Mar 10, 2014 17:50:25 GMT -8
I'm done. Have pretty much all the models I want in HO except maybe and EL-2b. Now having an operating layout my focus has changed. This man is obviously not modelling southern Ontario. WE NEED TEMPOS. (You know, as a manufacturer I'm probably not going to get very far with all these hints to other manufacturers to produce something I want that will not make any money.) -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 16, 2014 17:20:57 GMT -8
markfj, The grills started with the TurboTrain, IIRC. In the 1970's, some idiot hung a cinder block with a rope from an overpass at cab window height. The Turbo hit it at speed and one can only imagine the havoc that caused. After that, all the Turbos got grills (and passengers were banned from the domes) and so did all the NEC-assigned F40PH's. The kid holding the block was 13 years old. It is sad when kids do dumb things like that - he obviously didn't have any role models with brains when growing up. I think it was in Harlem. The female attendant in the dome was killed. Some kids put a piece of rail on the track in Brighton, ON in 1994 and it ripped through an LRC locomotive fuel tank. When the train went into emergency the fuel erupted and the first car was engulfed in flames. Luckily nobody died, though I know one attendant's life was ruined and he died - due to chronic pain and illness stemming from the accident - much younger than he should have. The crazy thing was that it was two kids (around 15, I believe) and a 29 year old. Put the kids in a rehabilitation program but put the adult away for life. Any adult who thinks crashing a train is a good idea should be a Darwin Award contender. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 8, 2014 17:26:40 GMT -8
Since my question about a real operating concern for this locomotives seems to have been run over by the Price Bus, I'll ask again: Will the sound version be able to operate as if it was running HEP, and will MU units be able to run as normal, as in the prototype? Thanks. The LokSound F40 decoder used some of my personal F40PH-2D sound recordings as well as a lot of others and is awesome. We're going to add a couple of new sounds and use the LokSound. The HEP is controlled by a separate function button. It works brilliantly. So yes, the sound version can run with or without HEP, as long as you use advanced consisting. If they both have the same address, both will run HEP simultaneously. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 7, 2014 9:18:53 GMT -8
Okay, so the price is $350CAN...so what? If you cannot or do not want to pay that price, then quite simply don't. If the manufacturers are "pricing themselves out of the market" as some are claiming, then let it be. Sure, you can voice your opinion about the matter, but in the end, sales is what will determine the final outcome, and if sales are lacking, well...
Jason pointed out that sales of the initial release of the F40PH-2D will determine if subsequent runs possibly with phase changes are produced. But keep in mind that the price most likely will not come down, in fact, they will like cancel production for lack of orders before reducing the MSRP. Again, so be it. THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES! It will however require more effort from you, the modeler, than just writing about it in cyberspace...
Donnell
Well put. As I said, you could always convert a US F40PH to a VIA F40PH-2D. It will take you a year and the materials would put the cost well above the model bought from VIA, but if you insist.... As I've said before, I would rather sell 15000 $50 passenger cars than 5000 $85 passenger cars. If I could bring out a new locomotive tomorrow at $250 I would do it in a heartbeat. Our GMD-1 and FPA-4 retail for $325 each. The FP9A price was upped to $330 in 2011. That's because the FP9A cost more. Looking at the rising costs in China over the last couple of years, the GMD-1 and the FPA-4 should have been in the $400 range. And nobody would have bought one. A more efficient tooling process, a less expensive assembly workshop, and a partner (MLW) that can work on tighter margins have all allowed Rapido to sell the 2014 locomotives for a lower MSRP than the 2011 locomotive. There is not some great conspiracy out there for all of us fat cat manufacturers to drive our Bentleys on the backs of the poor model train buying public. But if you want to keep believing that, all the power to you! -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 7, 2014 4:29:29 GMT -8
Hi guys, I will try to address some of your points. Others I can't respond to for obvious reasons. 1. The F40PH-2D is different enough from the F40PH that I've only seen six close-to-accurate conversions done by modellers. It's a LOT of work, and even my own F40 conversion did not come close. All of the roof detail changes; all of the chassis detail changes; the cab, nose and pilot change; the sides and end change. Even the trucks are different. They basically share the same shape and most of the side panels and that's it. Almost everything else is different. Making a VIA F40PH-2D from a stock Amtrak model is equivalent to buying a BNSF Dash-9 model and converting it to a BNSF ES44DC. Not something any sane person would want to do. But to the average viewer they look "almost the same." 2. Now, for those of you commenting without having read the newsletter: why the heck don't you get our newsletter? It is now online: www.rapidotrains.com/rapidonews53.html - I expect you all to sign up using the link at the top of the page. On the double! 3. As for whether or not we will do the Amtrak version, I can't comment on that right now. But you should read the newsletter. We could never bring out the VIA version painted in Amtrak colours as that would be an insult. 4. Price. Our new MLW-produced locomotives retail for $325/$225 USD in the States. The F40PH-2D is actually cheaper in the US, because - as has been mentioned - $350 CAD is now $316 USD, whereas our new MLW models are $325 USD. If you've ordered a GMD-1 or an FPA-4 from a dealer that is discounting 30% off retail, you might want to contact that dealer and ask if he's checked what his net cost is. I suspect some of them haven't and they will be in for a shock. Finally, you can't jump to conclusions about pricing in the hobby based on an exclusive run by a national passenger railway. This model is an exclusive for VIA, and they set the price. They had originally set it much higher than $350/$250 and it took some tough negotiating to bring it down - I had to cut into my margins significantly to make it work, and so did VIA. Remember - they are not used to making model trains. For something like a golf shirt, they take their raw cost, multiply it by a number, and set their retail price. You can imagine what was involved in explaining that it doesn't work that way in model railroading. When you think about the fact that without VIA's involvement it would be at least 2017 or 2018 before we could do this model, the retail price is a reasonable trade off. Best regards, Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 6, 2014 14:05:59 GMT -8
Hi guys,
We're waiting for one web site-related external thing to fall into place, and the external thing keeps saying "soon."
I suspect it might be tomorrow morning before we can launch.
Our newsletter is ready to go - we're just waiting for that external thing.
Thanks for your patience,
Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 6, 2014 8:26:27 GMT -8
An FL9 would be a stretch - I'd love it - but it would be a stretch. Marty It would quite literally be a stretch. We're going to inject the FP9 in latex and you guys can stretch them to fit an FL-9 chassis. -Jason (running for cover)
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 5, 2014 14:32:26 GMT -8
Yet in today's Fort Worth Star Telegram, on the front page, it says "Radio Shack will close 500 stores". I guess the Star Telegram would know, since Radio Shack is based in Fort Worth. I guess it cost so much to hire all those actors (like Alf) and place a commercial in the Superbowl that they had to close 500 stores as a result..... -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 4, 2014 16:33:25 GMT -8
I am fortunate in that I have two fabulous LHSes. George's Trains is across the street from Rapido's office and Credit Valley Railway is an easy drive along the highway. At both stores I have watched the way the staff treats their customers and there is never a sense that the customer is wasting the staff member's time, even if the customer is just looking for a jar of paint.
I get Walthers products and some other items directly from Walthers as I have a dealer account. But the rest is purchased from George's and Credit Valley.
There are still a lot of great train stores out there. Whenever I do my hobby shop tour across Canada I try to buy something at each of the stores I visit, even if it's just a freight car. At some stores I can't put my wallet away. At Kelly's Kaboose in Kamloops I found all sorts of need CN railway paraphernalia, and at Red Line Hobby in Regina I stocked up on the best CA I have ever used: Mercury Adhesives M300M. At Ware House Hobbies in Winnipeg I gave in and bought an Optivisor. Now I can see the holes I am drilling for grab irons.
Two Canadian stores have closed recently but it wasn't due to the hobby dying or the internet and video games. In both cases it was due largely to outside factors. It usually is.
-Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 2, 2014 19:14:05 GMT -8
Dang. There goes our new locomotive announcement. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 2, 2014 8:20:05 GMT -8
I cannot speak for engines originally tooled in plastic now many years ago, but: In most cases, depending upon the prototype we are talking about, I do not believe a manufacturer can realistically build a 100% perfect shell and/or a base complete model--before small details like horns, radio antennae, appliances are applied. Several years ago some very fine all brass model train shows were held, at the Eisenhower Inn at Gettysburg, PA...allegedly THE first "all brass" model train shows. I was there--the clinicians were absolutely fantastic and included John Glaab, as well as John Smith, the owner of Pecos River Brass, and others. They talked about the quest to build a "perfect" brass model--they explained that in HO, the RP25 wheel flanges, combined with such things as realistic operating tolerances for imperfect wheels/axles, etc. make it utterly impossible. Samhongsa tried to achieve perfect axle spacing in HO and some of the engines won't run down a tangent track section without real problems (forget about curves). Generally speaking, on a steamer you have to choose which one drive axle will be in the correct position--all others are a slight compromise due to the required HO operating tolerances. Alternatively, the driver diameter is or has been in the past routinely cheated upon slightly by many manufacturers (not just MTH)--smaller--to get closer to the "correct" axle spacing. With the modern diesels, GE is also notorious for running model changes such that not all variations can be readily modeled in a reasonably priced HO diesel correct for all roadnames. A prospective manufacturer has to identify which orders over what period of years their model will represent correctly. Regarding the SD40/45 series and all their derivatives, I don't know enough to even begin to comment about them. Athearn and Hi-Liners have certainly done a very commendable job with "modular" Genesis series EMD diesel bodies. However, I just do not believe that approach will work for all models. There are Alcos for which a "correct" model would actually require multiple deck pieces and long hoods, even if the cab would be the same, and multiple (3 or more) sets of handrails. It will be interesting to see how the manufacturers proceed with re-tooling the previously available models for future runs--if they bother to do so, or not. The publications like Diesel Era did a great job of identifying the main Alco model phases--but Alco actually made running changes on an order-by-order basis, and additional small variations of cabs, battery boxes, etc. have been identified. We are talking about today not the 1960's. There simply is zero, zero, excuse for major dimensions of a locomotive to be off by large amounts. Especially the radiator fans. I am not saying things like the curve of a nose etc, I am saying major and noticable dimensions or items. Heck, an importer could crowd source the review. Just post the test shots on their website and ask for email (not facebook or some other nonsense) input of constructive feedback. You say you were there. Where? I missed something. Thanks I think you're both correct. 1. There is no reason for making a major screw up like a wrong-size fan. That is just shoddy R&D. Every manufacturer has been guilty of it, including Rapido. We've had to go back and redo things several time because of screw ups. 2. Fast14 is saying that sometimes compromises need to be made because it's a model. You either have a technical limitation, such as the spacing of steam engine drivers or the width of the old Athearn hoods, or you have an economic limitation. The prototype often varied so much from roadname to roadname and even from engine to engine that you can't be 100% correct for all phases or variations as it would cost more than your total sales. If a handful of details are wrong, it won't stop most of us manufacturers from still trying to capitalize on the fact that 90% of the details are right. To some it will be easy to fix the incorrect details on the workbench, and to others the model will be good enough as is. For the few guys who want 100% perfection for every loco number every time and don't want to pick up their tools, they will have to buy brass. When it comes to passenger cars, there are only a handful of cars that were accurate for more than one or two roads: mainly pre-war Pullman-Standard plans. For the vast majority of passenger cars, they differed enormously from road to road. So you can sit and wait for that 100% accurate "East Coast and Western" passenger car to be produced in plastic in the year 2075, or you can buy something close. Those of us who won't accept something close have to pick up our tools and start kitbashing. I used to build my VIA fleet one car at a time from Rivarossi models. Each car had windows blanked and underbodies scratchbuilt. Thank God some manufacturer turned up to make accurate VIA cars, or I'd never have a big enough fleet... -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Feb 1, 2014 17:02:50 GMT -8
I think Rapido used 3D to scan the Alco FA. Bob And here it is: -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 31, 2014 10:47:20 GMT -8
Thanks everyone for the supportive comments. I'm a model railroader who decided to become a manufacturer. While I often have to make decisions with my manufacturer hat on, I'm still a modeller first and foremost so I am happy to share info about the industry from the perspective of a modeller. Speaking of which, I just spent the last three hours building benchwork. With three kids 8 and under the only time I can really work on the layout is when they are at school. Fortunately my employer is quite forgiving about layout construction during work hours! -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 29, 2014 21:00:10 GMT -8
The cars are selling for $79.99 simply because buyers are willing to pay that price. It's no more complicated than that. There is no need to consider any inputs like labor costs or currency exchange rates. Selling prices are set by demand, by the consumer- not by how much it costs to make something or by how much someone has sunk into a project or an item. I wish this were true. If our Super Continental Line passenger cars were $50 instead of $85, we could sell three times as many. I would much rather sell 15,000 $50 cars than 5000 $85 cars. Our costs have skyrocketed since our first RTR model came out over seven years ago. And they keep going up, much faster than we can raise the prices. So I've watched our margins get smaller and smaller, even as our MSRP gets higher and higher. My words to one factory boss a few days ago were these: "If you keep raising your costs by this much with every production run, we will eventually have to move production out of China. Our costs will be higher than our selling price." The reason you haven't seen our "Totally Wired" Telephone Poles on the market in a while is that the factory doubled the price in the two years between runs and they were now costing more than the selling price. We're working with the factory to find a way to semi-automate the assembly process so we can make the Telephone Poles again, but in the meantime, we can't produce them. I'm glad I took all I need for my layout in the first run. The lesson here: if Rapido (or any other manufacturer) announces a product that you really want, don't take a "wait and see" approach or you may never get it. So maybe in the world of electronics and other mass-produced consumer goods, companies choose their selling prices based only on what they think people will pay. For the vast majority of companies in the model railroading world, that is simply not the case. Best regards, Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 29, 2014 7:26:57 GMT -8
The reefers are great, but have undecipherable french-canadian instructions, which as best I can translate, indicates Canada may have declared war on us I know - the meat reefer was started shortly after the start of the War of 1812, and it's just coming out now. Sorry I forgot to update the instructions! Darn production delays... -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 28, 2014 20:22:35 GMT -8
Mmmmm, 1950's Gloucester "Red Rocket" subway stock... I honestly can't think of a single person who would operate it. Collect it? Hundreds. Operate it? Nobody. Might as well be an unpowered model. In their last couple of weeks of service, I rode one around the loop. I just sat back and enjoyed the sights and smells. I will always remember that day fondly. I didn't even know they were being pulled. When I found out afterwards, I was glad I had one last chance. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 28, 2014 17:33:07 GMT -8
Hey! That's crappy 70's era econo cars to you! -Jason Sorry, I was referring to the crapbox Ford built in the 80/90's, not your choice of train. I don't even know what a TEMPO is when referring to trains. A poor attempt at humor. Oh but your summary fit so well!!!
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 28, 2014 16:11:21 GMT -8
Nothing personal, and hurrah for the wet eared neo-Amsquish guys, buy the only use I'd have for Tempo's would be for my as yet unborn nephew to clank together in his crib. I'd rather see Jason expend his hard earned capital on CP maroon era transition lightweights. Run em through on my Ambassador But come on! There are so many paint schemes to do for the TEMPO: CN: total sales 100 VIA: total sales 120 D&RGW: total sales 100 ACR: total sales 12 and a half That's 332 1/2 cars sold! And only $100K to tool all three styles! Count me in for the entire fleet. In a box. I'm going to keep pushing for it. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 28, 2014 16:07:04 GMT -8
Hmmm. My crystal balls are clanking that this may be a hint? What? He's going to start making crappy 80's era econo cars? Hey! That's crappy 70's era econo cars to you! -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 28, 2014 10:38:58 GMT -8
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 28, 2014 9:05:14 GMT -8
TEMPO TEMPO TEMPO TEMPO TEMPOWell that's my vote, anyway! -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 27, 2014 10:56:44 GMT -8
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 27, 2014 10:55:09 GMT -8
I will be another Canadian engine so don't get your hopes up. His F units look great, but they didn't come south. It was hinted before it would be an American locomotive, so don't wizz in everyone's cornflakes just yet. Actually, I said that we are working on an American engine, but I didn't say the next announcement is an American engine. We're currently working on five all-new engines. Only one of them is being announced next month. Three are Canadian, one is American, and one is "other." -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 26, 2014 19:35:43 GMT -8
I will be another Canadian engine so don't get your hopes up. His F units look great, but they didn't come south. Except in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Maine - and that was while still in service for CN and CP. Since VIA sold them, they have travelled all over the US. KCS even owns an ABBA set. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 21, 2014 19:37:37 GMT -8
The question? Are they selling like ice in August, or were they made in very limited quantities? The first run of these was pretty big, but most people pre-ordered. So there are only a few left on the shelves and those are getting snatched up very quickly. Hopefully with the next run more people will pre-order and more stores will order for the shelf! -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 11, 2014 16:20:45 GMT -8
Coach to Asia is pure __________________. [/quote] I've done it too many times. I get very nervous flying coach, and usually disaster strikes. On one trip I spent seven hours in the bathroom throwing up because of turbulence. Literally. Seven hours. On another I spilled tea on my computer, frying it, and then the passengers around me started yelling at me. Bill can attest to that as he was there. Bill and I went Premium Economy in April, which is basically coach from 20 years ago. Bill was in pain the whole trip and I was only able to sleep 20 minutes on the whole 15-hour flight home. After that trip I told Bill that I had a choice. We could go together in coach or I could go business class on my own for the same price. I wished him a pleasant stay at home. I doubt they would have given me a hotel room in Hong Kong if I had flown coach. -Jason
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 10, 2014 10:14:28 GMT -8
The 37' wood reefers built by General American between 1937 and 1941 are gorgeous. Photos of all of them are now available, and I think I'd seen one pilot model, at least, at the West Springfield, MA, show last January. Or it could have been the January before that. Or the January before that. These have taken FOREVER to bring out! -Jason
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