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Post by lvrr325 on Dec 25, 2023 7:17:58 GMT -8
Silent 439.95, sound 659.95. Probably street $375/$525. Maybe less, depending how cutthroat the big discounters want to get.
I can't picture many selling just on the basis I can get the Stewart/Bowser ones for half of that.
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Post by rockfan on Dec 25, 2023 7:30:18 GMT -8
I was never impressed with Stewart locomotives and apparently Bowser hasn't upgraded them so I will definitely get the FT when Rapido makes them for RI.
I've seen the Rapido FP7/9/FL9 and they look great but nothing I can use so far.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 25, 2023 7:53:59 GMT -8
I see that Rapido is NOT showing the last FT's running for an original owner:
NP 5403A and 5404C
They ran until 1970, and operated on the BN for a snidget of time.
Kind of a "bite me" to NP fans.
Ed
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Post by packer on Dec 25, 2023 8:12:58 GMT -8
I'm surprised they didn't do the EMD demonstrator ones that still survive
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Post by simulatortrain on Dec 25, 2023 8:16:19 GMT -8
First time in plastic!
(??)
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Post by rockfan on Dec 25, 2023 8:48:03 GMT -8
First time in plastic! (??) No. Stewart and Intermountain have made them. |
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Post by ambluco on Dec 25, 2023 8:59:55 GMT -8
That's next to the * and denotes first time a detail has been done in plastic. First time in plastic! (??) |
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Post by ssw on Dec 25, 2023 9:02:25 GMT -8
The Milwaukee's are announced in the "as-delivered scheme" but the as delivered scheme was the gray/orange lighting bolt scheme.
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Post by simulatortrain on Dec 25, 2023 10:17:59 GMT -8
That's next to the * and denotes first time a detail has been done in plastic. First time in plastic! (??) Thanks! Went through it too fast. |
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Post by sgoti on Dec 25, 2023 10:49:31 GMT -8
No comments on the lower headlight in the ATSF rendering?
That projects out what, a good six to eight scale inches?
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Post by onequiknova on Dec 25, 2023 11:35:15 GMT -8
No comments on the lower headlight in the ATSF rendering? That projects out what, a good six to eight scale inches? They shouldn't have the exposed windshield gaskets either. Those didn't come along until much later in E/F unit production. That tiny coupler opening in the pilot doesn't match anything I'm seeing either. That, combined with the huge coupler box looks very much like the old Stewart F unit models. It doesn't appear to have the vertical crease running from the bottom of the headlight, through the center of the door and down to the anticlimber either. |
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Post by wagnersteve on Dec 25, 2023 12:02:47 GMT -8
Christmas Day, close to 3 p.m., EST, after a celebration with relatives at our h ouse and before we go with them and to rejoin them and join with other relatives and friends at another house
The in Rapido Trains Newsletter No. 179 that the forthcoming HO FT A and B units are the "first plastic" is clearly wrong.
I probably will not replace my Stewart Boston & Maine models, but the new ones MAY be better. I have a good friend who is an expert historian and modeler of the NYO&W; he may well be pleased, though he probably has some already that, knowing him, he has probably super detailed.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the holiday on this day.
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Post by typhoon on Dec 25, 2023 12:18:33 GMT -8
No comments on the lower headlight in the ATSF rendering? That projects out what, a good six to eight scale inches?   It does appear to stick out quite a bit on the prototype. As they were delivered with just one headlight, it is no doubt a railroad added addition. |
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Post by mr_smith on Dec 25, 2023 12:23:23 GMT -8
For reference for those not getting the e-mail. It doesn't say the "first plastic FT" anywhere. It does say some features are being offered "first time" ON a plastic FT model.
The Rapido’s FT Locomotive features:
* Close-coupling system for great appearance on straights and curves
* Drawbar or coupler connections between A and B units
* Multiple styles of number boards, installed as appropriate
Correct nose and windshield contours
Three styles of dynamic brake hatch, installed as appropriate
Steam generator hatch installed as appropriate
Etched side and fan screens
Heavy, die-cast chassis
5-pole motor with dual flywheels
* Working headlights, ground lights, number boards and back-up lights
* Full underbody details including piping and draft gear
Separate grab irons and handrails
* Numerous road-specific details
* Full, multi-color interior
DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound (ESU LokSound) options
Accurate sounds
* For the first time ever in plastic!
Hope this clears that up going forward.
Mike
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 25, 2023 16:49:37 GMT -8
I'm not too edacated on the Santa Fe. Could someone school me on what they did with those loose B's that Rapido's selling (un-numbered)? And how they happened to have them?
Ed
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Post by tony on Dec 25, 2023 16:57:29 GMT -8
The best FT models I've seen are the Division Point models, especially for the Rock Island version and the short B unit. The Intermountain was a few notches better than the Stewart. Intermountain did the Rock Island scheme, but the lettering was oversized. I think it was 12" and should have been 10". Before all of those there was the Hallmark FT's. Before that, was there a Varney?
The most common arrangement during 1949-1954 on the RI for FT's was the FTABA and FTAB + F3A. I don't think I've seen any RI FTABBA arrangements.
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Post by lvrr325 on Dec 25, 2023 17:12:39 GMT -8
You're thinking of the Kader produced an FT (A-unit only) first sold as an AHM product in the early 1970s. Initial runs had a frame subject to zincpest and shared drive components with the early Bachmann GP40. After many years collecting dust Bachmann brought it back with upgraded drive - there's even DCC versions of it. It was the only game in town long enough to get a Model Railroader article on kitbashing B-units from two A shells.
Bowser for reasons unknown has not run FTs since around 2009 (I posted previously in this thread about that). I'd forgotten Intermountain did them - I don't think I've ever personally seen one. The AHM ones I've had a few of. And I have a fairly recent Bachmann one now, I think I set aside to try on eBay and it never made it there.
I would say hands down the Stewart is the most common, I see those more than any others. They have a decent drive, either Kato or cloned Kato. I don't know if Bowser improved the tooling any before ceasing to make any more, if it broke, wore out, or what happened to it. Lee would have to tell us. If I saw this announcement I'd crank out another run of them.
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Post by Baikal on Dec 25, 2023 17:17:07 GMT -8
I'm not too edacated on the Santa Fe. Could someone school me on what they did with those loose B's that Rapido's selling (un-numbered)? And how they happened to have them? Ed
ATSF FT roster
More rosters
FT info
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Post by ambluco on Dec 25, 2023 17:25:04 GMT -8
It says first detailed in plastic on an FT. Like the multiple number board sizes. There is an asterisk. Christmas Day, close to 3 p.m., EST, after a celebration with relatives at our h ouse and before we go with them and to rejoin them and join with other relatives and friends at another house The in Rapido Trains Newsletter No. 179 that the forthcoming HO FT A and B units are the "first plastic" is clearly wrong. I probably will not replace my Stewart Boston & Maine models, but the new ones MAY be better. I have a good friend who is an expert historian and modeler of the NYO&W; he may well be pleased, though he probably has some already that, knowing him, he has probably super detailed. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the holiday on this day. |
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Post by wagnersteve on Dec 25, 2023 19:32:36 GMT -8
12/25/23, starting 10:29 p.m., EST
mr smith, thanks very much for your accurate post, which I should have read carefully before posting what I did about seven hours ago. You are correct about the announcement from Rapido Trains.
It's been a very long day of family activities, and I'm about to get to beddd.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 25, 2023 20:17:10 GMT -8
I'm not too edacated on the Santa Fe. Could someone school me on what they did with those loose B's that Rapido's selling (un-numbered)? And how they happened to have them? Ed ATSF FT roster More rosters
FT info Well, I guess I have my answer. Ed |
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Post by lyndenbranch on Dec 25, 2023 21:15:46 GMT -8
I would like to see if Rapido will offer the (at least) two styles of upper headlights--the first of the FT's came with a thicker ring around the headlight casing itself. I don't know if this was because the headlight casting later became slightly wider in diameter or not. The 103 demonstrator set had this stiyle headlight, as did the early ATSF FT's had these, as did the first order of Milwaukee Road FT's (built in 1941) and the first few A-B-B-A sets of GN FT's built in 1941 as well. I'm guessing the 1941-built FT's all shared this "thick rimmed" headlight casing.
It would be interesting also to see if Rapido will offer the option of the seven-bulb upper headlight arrangement--I don't know how many FT's were delivered with this headlight option vs. the standard single-bulb "Golden Glow" assembly, but Northern Pacific FT's (built 1944) came this way, and these lasted intact until the early to mid-1950s, at which time a Pyle-Nationl twin-sealed beam headlight(not in a casing) was mounted on the nose door and the upper headlight was changed to a single bulb with reflector, with a red lens which oscillated when the trainline was in emergency. Rapido is doing a later-version NP FT, so hopefully they'll pick up on this information, readily available int he Dale Sanders NP diesel book.
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Post by 690 on Dec 25, 2023 21:58:02 GMT -8
Boston & Maine FTs also came with the seven bulb version.
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Post by rockfan on Dec 25, 2023 22:04:48 GMT -8
The best FT models I've seen are the Division Point models, especially for the Rock Island version and the short B unit. The Intermountain was a few notches better than the Stewart. Intermountain did the Rock Island scheme, but the lettering was oversized. I think it was 12" and should have been 10". Before all of those there was the Hallmark FT's. Before that, was there a Varney? The most common arrangement during 1949-1954 on the RI for FT's was the FTABA and FTAB + F3A. I don't think I've seen any RI FTABBA arrangements. Rock Island never had F3's. They bought the F2's to break up the ABBA FT into FT AB F2A sets. |
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Post by grabirons on Dec 26, 2023 0:41:42 GMT -8
I don't like ft"s. I never liked how the rear truck was set inward ect. Also a silent set for 325 is too high for me, I'd prefer a single, but since I don't like them, I don't need one.
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Post by lvrr325 on Dec 26, 2023 3:50:39 GMT -8
$325 is only $162.50 each. Not that crazy. But I doubt you'll see them at $325.
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Post by middledivision on Dec 27, 2023 9:19:27 GMT -8
I was never impressed with Stewart locomotives and apparently Bowser hasn't upgraded them so I will definitely get the FT when Rapido makes them for RI. I've seen the Rapido FP7/9/FL9 and they look great but nothing I can use so far. Bowser is in the process of upgrading their F units to "Genesis standards", according to Lee English. I would hope this includes the FT's, which could certainly use an upgrade. As for the Rapido's, I hope they get their motor problems sorted out. We've had two RS18's suffer motor failure at my club within one hour of run time. |
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Post by crblue on Dec 27, 2023 10:14:12 GMT -8
Middledivision- the rs11 and rs18 motor issues are acknowledged problems by rapido, and if you get in touch with them they should fix you up.
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Post by wagnersteve on Dec 27, 2023 13:57:59 GMT -8
12/27/2023, close to 5 p.m., EST
The rendering of the Boston & Maine F units in the "catalog" reached by a link from Rapido Trains Newsletter No. 179 includes "7 lens headlight", presumably meaning an attempt to replicate the seven bulbs the real ones came with. The B&M traded in its remaining FT units when it bought EMD hood units long before I moved to Massachusetts in 1968.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Dec 27, 2023 18:57:59 GMT -8
Anyone have a photo of the "7 lens/bulb" light?
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