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Post by lvrr325 on Dec 12, 2022 11:54:03 GMT -8
obvious troll is obvious.
The thing I don't understand on Rapido is they don't seem to learn from the mistakes, and keep making more.
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Post by tony on Dec 12, 2022 15:42:41 GMT -8
Just received an email from Train Life and was browsing around to the Rapido E8's - the image they are showing of the IC 4029 with reddish not orange band. However, another image of IC 4030 looks orange, but I'm not sure it's a Rapido product.
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Post by slowfreight on Dec 12, 2022 16:20:21 GMT -8
Remind me...did it take everyone emailing ScaleTrains to get their attention? Rapido is ghosting us. Not a peep anywhere.
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Post by kcjones on Dec 12, 2022 16:26:12 GMT -8
Look closely. TrainLife is using Proto 2k pictures in their ad. Rapido is only doing the early IC paint scheme. Some of the pics show the later split rail IC block lettering.
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Post by ambluco on Dec 12, 2022 17:54:22 GMT -8
If you think about the various manufactures, there are plenty that release products and you really don't hear from. Their products are their products, mistakes and all, reruns and all. BLI, MTH (now Scaletrains), Bachmann, to name a few. I think because the models have all the bells and whistles, we expect to hear from them when we complain. As others have said in this thread and other Rapido threads, maybe the sell enough and keep selling to just move on to the next model. Remind me...did it take everyone emailing ScaleTrains to get their attention? Rapido is ghosting us. Not a peep anywhere. |
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Post by atsf_4 on Dec 12, 2022 18:06:33 GMT -8
If you think about the various manufactures, there are plenty that release products and you really don't hear from. Their products are their products, mistakes and all, reruns and all. BLI, MTH (now Scaletrains), Bachmann, to name a few. I think because the models have all the bells and whistles, we expect to hear from them when we complain. As others have said in this thread and other Rapido threads, maybe the sell enough and keep selling to just move on to the next model. Remind me...did it take everyone emailing ScaleTrains to get their attention? Rapido is ghosting us. Not a peep anywhere. Within the last few years, Athearn, ScaleTrains, and Bowser have ALL redone diesel locomotive body shells when one or more paint schemes were found to be inaccurate. In one case it was even just a minor issue on the front of the nose regarding the striping and rr logo, but nevertheless the manufacturer wanted to make things RIGHT. The units involved specifically were Athearn Genesis Lehigh Valley "New Cornell Red" GP38 (either -2 or AC, I can't remember which, LV had both), Bowser Canadian M-Series Alcos (was it PGE/BCR?), and ScaleTrains Erie Lackawanna SD45-2's (and just received SD38-2's that are being replaced). Additionally, Athearn had a paint issue on some SCL units and also redid them. Athearn also got Maine Central Harvest Yellow incorrect on Genesis GP-7's and has announced a new run with one unit having a corrected shade of Harvest Yellow (others are a scheme not previously offered). I am not authorized to speak on behalf of any manufacturer. However, although those companies are not regular posters per se on the ARF, you better believe they are monitoring activity on these forums! In most cases, when new shells have been produced, it was people on the ARF who first brought the unfortunate news to the manufacturer's attention. Even when Lee English of Bowser might not read these forums every day, there are a number of ARF members who call him personally whenever anything occurs that he needs to know about. At least partly because of people on these forums, Lee had the Alco Century cabs redone (years ago now) to correct incorrect roof contours that were a legacy from Stewart. That is only the tip of the iceberg of all the upgrades Bowser has made both to make items run better and also to look as good as they possibly can. In many cases, it was ARF members, again, who contacted them about the need to make a fix. I can only assume that ScaleTrains, and Athearn, and others receive the same phone calls from people on the ARF. Rapido only assumes we have some personal vendetta against them. There have been heated debates about bulldog noses before, and a lot of venom directed at particular manufacturers in the past because certain ones are loathe to stock spare parts. Plenty of other manufacturers were called out here, going all the way back to the original AF. Most of them sucked it up and just got better. Wars between BLI and MTH, yeah, been there and done that. It's all there if you read back far enough. People assume BLI doesn't care and just keeps cranking out new products "their way". Well recently they sent me a survey asking very pointed tough questions and I of course filled it out the best I could. I was both surprised and impressed that they are looking to change. Far from just pumping out the third different version of E1 models, the current ones are better. Mold parting lines are virtually 100% removed. |
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Post by atsf_4 on Dec 12, 2022 18:35:07 GMT -8
I've also found out by trading with a few folks on these forums, that some of them rarely post, maybe only have 100 or 200 posts, but they have huge layouts and buy a lot of stuff (more than most of us ever could), and they have the ears of the manufacturers if anything goes wrong or is needed, and I know for a fact the manufacturers are listening to them, because the manufacturer has mentioned them to me by name. It helps that they are particularly diplomatic with the manufacturers; that makes a better impression certainly than I did with Rapido.
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Post by ambluco on Dec 13, 2022 3:58:10 GMT -8
I think it proves what I'm saying - Athearn, ScaleTrains, and Bowser - they all have corrected a many of their past errors. And those names keep getting repeated over and over again. There are MANY OTHER manufacturers who do not fix things but just move on. Notice the manufacturer whose name is at the top of the page - people keep waiting for Atlas to have prototypically-applied details and certainly there have been errors with Atlas products. When was the last time Atlas redid a part for people to fix their model? Look how long the Atlas GE cab existed on multiple releases before a new cab was finally done for the U33B.
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Post by el3625 on Dec 13, 2022 7:00:31 GMT -8
I have bought some Rapido and I was not really happy with most of it, in fact, I sold most all if it off. I think I will stick with manufacturers that have a better track record. I was really looking forward the the EL U25B and EL E8's. I can live without them. Something is definitely not right with Rapido and the buyers are showing this, they have nothing sold out on their "product delivery page" and online retailers have ALOT of stock that is not selling. I feel bad for these retailers because they practically have to give it away to move it, they are stuck with it and will lose money because of it, and they probably cannot send it back. I have a large home layout and have 100's of freight cars and at most 50 locomotives and my Rapido products number a total of 7, 6 of which are Procor GP20 tank cars that only sit at the fuel storage tanks and 1 covered hopper that just sits in the yard. I used to get excited about their upcoming products, but not anymore and you never hear anything from them, not customer friendly at all. I guess they cannot stand the criticism they get here and just stick their neck in the sand and maybe it will go away. If some of you like their peoduct, great you will need to buy more so they can stay in business, I choose wisely!
Bruce
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Post by wmcbride on Dec 13, 2022 7:33:35 GMT -8
I think it proves what I'm saying - Athearn, ScaleTrains, and Bowser - they all have corrected a many of their past errors. And those names keep getting repeated over and over again. There are MANY OTHER manufacturers who do not fix things but just move on. Notice the manufacturer whose name is at the top of the page - people keep waiting for Atlas to have prototypically-applied details and certainly there have been errors with Atlas products. When was the last time Atlas redid a part for people to fix their model? Look how long the Atlas GE cab existed on multiple releases before a new cab was finally done for the U33B. Atlas has fallen into the predictable category for me in that I know what I am going to get: a well-running engine with clean paint application but generic in detail. As a result I have moved to Genesis and Proto for GPs. Athearn seems to have addressed their wavy handrail issue (or I have been lucky). My pet peeve with Athearn is that beautiful Highliner shell and that misplaced cab interior. I contacted then when the first Genesis F units came out and they, not surprisingly, said they were not going to fix it. Maybe everyone (except Robert Smaus who published an article in Model Railroader on how to fix it) no longer sees it.  Bill McBride |
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Post by packer on Dec 13, 2022 7:38:17 GMT -8
Seeing this thread has me sorta nervous about the RS-11 and C30-7s I have on order. Granted Rapidos offering is probably better than what’s available on the market now. I think it proves what I'm saying - Athearn, ScaleTrains, and Bowser - they all have corrected a many of their past errors. And those names keep getting repeated over and over again. There are MANY OTHER manufacturers who do not fix things but just move on. Notice the manufacturer whose name is at the top of the page - people keep waiting for Atlas to have prototypically-applied details and certainly there have been errors with Atlas products. When was the last time Atlas redid a part for people to fix their model? Look how long the Atlas GE cab existed on multiple releases before a new cab was finally done for the U33B. Atlas has fallen into the predictable category for me in that I know what I am going to get: a well-running engine with clean paint application but generic in detail. As a result I have moved to Genesis and Proto for GPs. Athearn seems to have addressed their wavy handrail issue (or I have been lucky). My pet peeve with Athearn is that beautiful Highliner shell and that misplaced cab interior. I contacted then when the first Genesis F units came out and they, not surprisingly, said they were not going to fix it. Maybe everyone (except Robert Smaus who published an article in Model Railroader on how to fix it) no longer sees it. Bill McBride Curious what the issue with the interior on the Genesis F-units is? |
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Post by wmcbride on Dec 13, 2022 7:42:38 GMT -8
It's set too far to the rear.
There shouldn't be those "bins" showing right behind the windows.
Bill McBride
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Post by wmcbride on Dec 13, 2022 8:23:50 GMT -8
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 13, 2022 8:56:10 GMT -8
It's been awhile since this video ran: Six years. We are given a short tour of Rapido's newly opened second factory. Note that they employ on-site engineers who communicate with the Home Office. They do NOT appear to be doing either injection molding or die casting, implying those are done elsewhere by others. At least, six years ago. So I can see why they MIGHT have trouble inspecting cast items. But the painting is all in-house, so color matching is all on Rapido. As is design, for that matter. Ed |
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Post by Baikal on Dec 13, 2022 11:18:29 GMT -8
I have bought some Rapido and I was not really happy with most of it, in fact, I sold most all if it off. I think I will stick with manufacturers that have a better track record. I was really looking forward the the EL U25B and EL E8's. I can live without them. Something is definitely not right with Rapido and the buyers are showing this, they have nothing sold out on their "product delivery page" and online retailers have ALOT of stock that is not selling. I feel bad for these retailers because they practically have to give it away to move it, they are stuck with it and will lose money because of it, and they probably cannot send it back. I have a large home layout and have 100's of freight cars and at most 50 locomotives and my Rapido products number a total of 7, 6 of which are Procor GP20 tank cars that only sit at the fuel storage tanks and 1 covered hopper that just sits in the yard. I used to get excited about their upcoming products, but not anymore and you never hear anything from them, not customer friendly at all. I guess they cannot stand the criticism they get here and just stick their neck in the sand and maybe it will go away. If some of you like their peoduct, great you will need to buy more so they can stay in business, I choose wisely! Bruce
SP/SSW modelers have been disappointed by Rapido: U25B (68), SW1200 (55), RS11 (37), E8-9A (10), PA/B1 (32 + 34 PA/B2s).
Bowser RSD-5 and C-415 will be nice. |
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Post by crblue on Dec 14, 2022 7:12:29 GMT -8
Notice the manufacturer whose name is at the top of the page - people keep waiting for Atlas to have prototypically-applied details and certainly there have been errors with Atlas products. When was the last time Atlas redid a part for people to fix their model? Look how long the Atlas GE cab existed on multiple releases before a new cab was finally done for the U33B. Right, but they're also priced appropriately, and very easy to work on, so it's far easier to overlook mistakes than it is for, say, a company that's charging almost $700 for a set "perfect" A/B units. |
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Post by rockfan on Dec 14, 2022 7:15:53 GMT -8
The U33/36B cab was redesigned after the first run.
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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Dec 14, 2022 7:22:47 GMT -8
The first run used the cab that was wrong from the 1990s or so when ever released U23B so 20+ years wrong and finally fixed. The U33/36B cab was redesigned after the first run. |
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Post by rockfan on Dec 14, 2022 7:50:50 GMT -8
The first run used the cab that was wrong from the 1990s or so when ever released U23B so 20+ years wrong and finally fixed. The U33/36B cab was redesigned after the first run. I didn't know that, the U33B was the first GE I could use. Also seemed like the the one everyone complained about. |
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Post by 690 on Dec 14, 2022 8:32:58 GMT -8
imgur.com/a/pVsLP4pHere's a comparison of the two cabs. Conrail cab is from a U23B from whatever run years ago, and the Guilford cab is one from the latest U33B run.
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Post by rockfan on Dec 14, 2022 8:37:29 GMT -8
The first run used the cab that was wrong from the 1990s or so when ever released U23B so 20+ years wrong and finally fixed. I didn't know that, the U33B was the first GE I could use. Also seemed like the the one everyone complained about. I forgot about the U30C, I have them from @2004? Didn't seem like people were complaining about the cab. |
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Post by ambluco on Dec 14, 2022 11:38:52 GMT -8
An Atlas GP40-2 from the just announced run is $294 for DCC/Sound. Notice the manufacturer whose name is at the top of the page - people keep waiting for Atlas to have prototypically-applied details and certainly there have been errors with Atlas products. When was the last time Atlas redid a part for people to fix their model? Look how long the Atlas GE cab existed on multiple releases before a new cab was finally done for the U33B. Right, but they're also priced appropriately, and very easy to work on, so it's far easier to overlook mistakes than it is for, say, a company that's charging almost $700 for a set "perfect" A/B units. |
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Post by rockisland652 on Dec 14, 2022 13:10:28 GMT -8
An Atlas GP40-2 from the just announced run is $294 for DCC/Sound. Right, but they're also priced appropriately, and very easy to work on, so it's far easier to overlook mistakes than it is for, say, a company that's charging almost $700 for a set "perfect" A/B units. $700? Lombard has AB sets for $510. Not that the price improves accuracy. The Rapido E8 is remarkably easy wo work on. A polar opposite to the iPhone 4 level of screws holding together the SW1200. |
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Post by lvrr325 on Dec 14, 2022 13:35:24 GMT -8
An Atlas GP40-2 from the just announced run is $294 for DCC/Sound. $700? Lombard has AB sets for $510. Not that the price improves accuracy. The Rapido E8 is remarkably easy wo work on. A polar opposite to the iPhone 4 level of screws holding together the SW1200. Right but for $510 I can buy two factory sound Atlas engines and maybe a non-sound too depending on which engine and who's selling them. |
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Post by atsf_4 on Dec 14, 2022 14:35:17 GMT -8
Actual street price on BLI E units is between $220 and $240 depending upon which E unit and who you buy it from, and AB sets can be $340 street price (B unpowered). Still considerably less expensive than Rapido. I know, not everybody likes BLI's E7/8/9 model. However, for an E1 or E6 that isn't brass (or Walthers Proto UP/CNW) they are nice engines at that price, and I seriously would rather buy the BLI E units at this point than the Rapido (and I actually do have the Rapido Amtrak E-8 #4316).
BLI does a better job of capturing the "stainless steel" look for my eyes than Rapido, so I just bought two E1's and one E6 and skipped any Rapido "stainless steel" PA's.
Walthers Proto E units depending on road name are hard to find and will bring Rapido-type prices on Ebay.
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Post by talltim on Dec 15, 2022 8:19:09 GMT -8
imgur.com/a/pVsLP4pHere's a comparison of the two cabs. Conrail cab is from a U23B from whatever run years ago, and the Guilford cab is one from the latest U33B run. Imgur reckoned that pic may contain erotic or adult imagery! |
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Post by typhoon on Dec 15, 2022 9:42:15 GMT -8
Actual street price on BLI E units is between $220 and $240 depending upon which E unit and who you buy it from, and AB sets can be $340 street price (B unpowered). Still considerably less expensive than Rapido. Lombard has Rapido A units for $264. I would not call a 10 percent difference "considerably less expensive." They also have them for $180, if you don't want sound or DCC. |
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Post by atsf_4 on Dec 15, 2022 16:02:32 GMT -8
Whatever, for one I don't trust Lombard anymore, as it seems they are sending out the dogs mail order, which may also be why their prices tend to be cheaper than everyone else.
Oh, and their BLI A units are $220, which is still more than 10% difference below Rapido.
Some engines I got from Lombard were not as good looking as what I'm receiving brand new from elsewhere, and they are literally the exact same models. Lombard does provide a slip showing the model was "inspected", but my units of the exact same model from Spring Creek are arriving unmolested and 100% intact, while the Lombard units have had minor damage to paint and even some missing details, which are annoying, and saving $20 or $30 is not worth that. Plus I don't have the capability to do pro-level paint touch up work, and I should not have to do that on a brand-new model (though I often try to do that in lieu of dealing with the hassle of sending models back). The one time in recent months I had an actual outright damaged return to Lombard, it was more hassle for me than I believe it should have been and took much longer to get my money back.
So Lombard is on my naughty list this Christmas.
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Post by typhoon on Dec 15, 2022 18:19:20 GMT -8
Whatever, for one I don't trust Lombard anymore, as it seems they are sending out the dogs mail order, which may also be why their prices tend to be cheaper than everyone else. Oh, and their BLI A units are $220, which is still more than 10% difference below Rapido. Some engines I got from Lombard were not as good looking as what I'm receiving brand new from elsewhere, and they are literally the exact same models. Lombard does provide a slip showing the model was "inspected", but my units of the exact same model from Spring Creek are arriving unmolested and 100% intact, while the Lombard units have had minor damage to paint and even some missing details, which are annoying, and saving $20 or $30 is not worth that. Plus I don't have the capability to do pro-level paint touch up work, and I should not have to do that on a brand-new model (though I often try to do that in lieu of dealing with the hassle of sending models back). The one time in recent months I had an actual outright damaged return to Lombard, it was more hassle for me than I believe it should have been and took much longer to get my money back. So Lombard is on my naughty list this Christmas. I used your $240 number for the 10% difference. They only have one roadname left, which might explain it. But sure, "whatever"....LOL |
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Post by atsf_4 on Dec 15, 2022 20:04:26 GMT -8
My son is a real UP fan, and after the (most unfortunate and true) comments about the Rapido UP E8's, I'm very glad I didn't go there and order any for him. Good thing he prefers the more modern UP stuff in this particular case. It saved my wallet.
As it is, after the less than stellar reviews, I think I'm gonna have a hard time selling the E8's I did preorder (as I do not want them now).
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