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Post by 12bridge on Oct 1, 2022 13:08:15 GMT -8
I post this with no comment.  |
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Post by Mr. Trainiac on Oct 1, 2022 15:26:42 GMT -8
Can we get a whole thread of people not commenting anything? My non-comment can be read below as well.
.......
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Post by sd40dash2 on Oct 1, 2022 15:44:56 GMT -8
Or how about a thread free of subjective commentary about how this model does not fit the poster's layout or era? An objective discussion about the model at hand would be a refreshing change for this forum.
Let's get started: Nice model, metal handrails, overall carbody shape and features seem to really capture the appearance of the prototype. Well done Rapido!
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Post by Mr. Trainiac on Oct 1, 2022 18:11:53 GMT -8
yeah, I'm excited about the slug part of it. Is this the first time seeing a plastic slug? Do you count the Scaletrains CSX GP30? I know there are a few brass models, but it will be cool to see how they design the chassis for the motor in a plastic model. With such a low-profile hood, I imagine they will use a drive a bit like the RDC or other railcar models, where the motor is recessed into the floor and fuel tank.
I've thought about doing some of the BNSF SD40 slugs. I had a chopped up Bachmann SD40-2 I tried to shorten, but I realized that trying to fix the wheelbase issues and convert to Flexicoil trucks would have been cost-prohibitive. Maybe seeing these Rapido slugs on a cool switching layout will inspire me to create a better-engineered version. Starting with a Athearn RTR SD40 would solve most of my issues, or maybe I can attempt a TEBC6 scratchbuild on an SD9 platform.
I think big locomotives like the Scaletrains Turbine sell well and are popular, but smaller locomotives like these are probably a lot more practical for most home layouts. The slug would really contribute to a gritty industrial scene, and it would probably be more at home on our compressed layouts than the huge locomotives everyone thinks they need.
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Post by mvlandsw on Oct 1, 2022 18:24:55 GMT -8
Those shape of the metal hand rails in front of the cab looks weird. They also appear to be too thick.
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Post by cemr5396 on Oct 1, 2022 18:31:39 GMT -8
Those metal hand rails in front of the cab look weird. wierd in what way? If you are talking about how they point inward near the stepwells that is 100% prototypical. |
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Post by hudsonyard on Oct 1, 2022 18:38:34 GMT -8
I like the metal handrails, however those stanchions look kinda blobby, i'd like to see a closer look at them. It's a Canadian prototype, so i'm sure better attention is being paid to its development.
I know Rapdio piling on is getting tired for some but every single locomotive seems to have SOME kind of issue, the scrutiny is well earned. I like the recent freight car releases, i wish that consistency carried over.
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Post by mvlandsw on Oct 1, 2022 18:47:48 GMT -8
They may be prototypical but they still look weird to me. I wouldn't want to use them to get up on the locomotive.
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Post by 12bridge on Oct 1, 2022 19:14:17 GMT -8
They may be prototypical but they still look weird to me. I wouldn't want to use them to get up on the locomotive. They are so much nicer to use then the stock EMD rails. These should have been used on everything. Safer too. |
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Post by gevohogger on Oct 2, 2022 5:43:20 GMT -8
I must've missed the previous announcements that they were doing this locomotive. This makes what, about a dozen different locomotive models coming in the Rapido pipeline? No wonder small gaffes sneak through.
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Post by severn on Oct 2, 2022 8:34:34 GMT -8
The division of labor between these little companies and the factory has never been clear to me. We say factory but they may also supply substantial engineering resources etc ... at a fee of course. But if true perhaps a small band of merry men (& women) could do it.
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Post by csxt8400 on Oct 2, 2022 8:54:00 GMT -8
I'll say I like the "fridge" door standing tall on the cab face. The windows look the part also.
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Post by cemr5396 on Oct 2, 2022 9:18:53 GMT -8
I'll be one of the first to say that Rapido's track record for the last couple years is PRETTY BAD, but can we at least not criticize them for things that aren't actually wrong?  Check out that cab door folks.... while you're at it check out the size of those window gaskets too. The oversize door is something CN carried over from their Safety Cab units, and serves two purposes: -by making the door bigger than the opening, it can't (hopefully) be punched into the cab in a collision. I believe the doors are still built this way on modern GE and EMD units. - it is also very well insulated, to keep the cold out. Same reason for the very large window gaskets. You cannot really fathom what -50 wind chill is like unless you have experienced it yourself. I have, and trust me, if your locomotive cab is your only shelter from the cold you really don't want the wind coming in the cab to join you.  |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 2, 2022 11:35:26 GMT -8
 Lemme see: Yeah, the handrails are a bit too fat, and that's without the paint. The two center windows on the model have much sharper corners than the real one. The engineer's and "fireman"s forward windows are much smaller on the model. So are the numberboards. I don't see any louvers on the model on the side of the cab base just in front of the cab. But the angle is tough, so maybe they're there. The top of the snowplow on the model is a good bit higher than the coupler. This is not the case with the real one. Notice the size of the gap on each that is between the bottom of the anti-climber and the top of the plow. The anti-climber looks to thick on the model. The stanchions are indeed pretty fat. Ed |
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Post by Baikal on Oct 2, 2022 12:21:47 GMT -8
Lemme see: Yeah, the handrails are a bit too fat, and that's without the paint. The two center windows on the model have much sharper corners than the real one. The engineer's and "fireman"s forward windows are much smaller on the model. So are the numberboards. I don't see any louvers on the model on the side of the cab base just in front of the cab. But the angle is tough, so maybe they're there. The top of the snowplow on the model is a good bit higher than the coupler. This is not the case with the real one. Notice the size of the gap on each that is between the bottom of the anti-climber and the top of the plow. The anti-climber looks to thick on the model. The stanchions are indeed pretty fat. Ed
Could be a hacked photo, lens distortion, or swamp gas.
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Post by onequiknova on Oct 2, 2022 13:19:07 GMT -8
The marker cluster is quite small as well. It should start closer to the outside edge of the number boards and end about where it does now.
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Post by csxt8400 on Oct 2, 2022 13:28:31 GMT -8
Uhhh, I was being sincere in my compliment on the cab door. And yes, I open and close the aluminum doors five days a week.
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Post by cemr5396 on Oct 2, 2022 13:30:55 GMT -8
all valid criticisims. I noticed some of them right off the bat but I'll admit you caught some things I didn't. the only one that really bugs me if I'm being honest is the anticlimber. I'm not 100% convinced about the windows but it is hard to tell on an unpainted model that does not have the window gaskets painted on and whatnot. Even with its warts this model is still miles ahead of the only previous (non brass) alternatives which were either resin kits or in more recent years 3D printed. I have brought these issues up with Rapido, hopefully they will look into it. |
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Post by cemr5396 on Oct 2, 2022 13:34:23 GMT -8
Uhhh, I was being sincere in my compliment on the cab door. And yes, I open and close the aluminum doors five days a week. my bad, I seem to have mis read that  |
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Post by santafe49 on Oct 2, 2022 13:42:03 GMT -8
And there is no shovel stuck in the front grabs!!!!!
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Post by lvrr325 on Oct 2, 2022 14:04:29 GMT -8
I think it's an optical illusion but the model's number boards appear to be a touch too wide. Would have to see one with numbers in it to say better.
A couple of those slugs got a grand tour of CSX a few weeks ago, so there's video of them to look at.
I guess my only question is, if they do these, will they do other GP9s down the road? Or other slugs? They could do a Conrail MT-4 pretty easily at this point, just tool a hood for it.
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Post by 12bridge on Oct 2, 2022 14:24:02 GMT -8
The reason the front handrails look wonky is the lower attachment point in the stepwell is too far inboard. I would think that would be an easy fix, since they are preproduction..
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 2, 2022 15:06:13 GMT -8
I think it's an optical illusion but the model's number boards appear to be a touch too wide. Would have to see one with numbers in it to say better. I think the problem is more that the model's numberboards aren't tall enough. On the prototype, the height is 32% of the width. On the model, it is 26%. As they point out, these are early test samples, and there's plenty of time to fix things. Ed |
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Post by lvrr325 on Oct 2, 2022 15:21:06 GMT -8
Maybe it's both. The real photo, the outer edge of the number board gasket looks in line with the inner edge of the windshield gasket. The model, it appears to be even with the outer edge of the windshield gasket.
Whatever it is, it makes it look like it's made to hold a 5 digit number.
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Post by mvlandsw on Oct 2, 2022 17:07:00 GMT -8
The bottom corners of the snowplow are not shaped properly.
The coupler pocket opening is overly large.
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Post by ambluco on Oct 2, 2022 17:13:32 GMT -8
Hopefully, things are fixed. It seems that issues pointed out preproduction on the E8 and PA were not fixed.
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Post by cemr5396 on Oct 2, 2022 20:29:47 GMT -8
The reason the front handrails look wonky is the lower attachment point in the stepwell is too far inboard. I would think that would be an easy fix, since they are preproduction.. it kind of appears they made the anticlimber too narrow to make room for the cut lever, and that is what throws off the location of the outboard most stanchion. I do hope they would change that, and while they are at it make the cut lever wire instead of the clunky plastic one. |
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Post by talltim on Oct 3, 2022 3:01:17 GMT -8
The division of labor between these little companies and the factory has never been clear to me. We say factory but they may also supply substantial engineering resources etc ... at a fee of course. But if true perhaps a small band of merry men (& women) could do it. In Rapido's case they own the factory (as much as you can in China) so there isn't the same distinction between North American company and the manufactuer there is with others. Still two teams working on stuff, but with the same employer. |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Oct 3, 2022 3:07:44 GMT -8
The poling pockets on the model are extremely chunky too.
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Post by sd80mac on Oct 3, 2022 5:24:21 GMT -8
Looks a lot better than the PAs. Surprised no one has mentioned the grossly-oversized draft gear box.
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