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Post by jonklein611 on Feb 26, 2024 13:22:28 GMT -8
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ictom
Full Member
Posts: 105
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Post by ictom on Mar 11, 2024 7:53:08 GMT -8
The father to a best friend of mine used to work at a train station after WWII. He had nothing but bad words about steam engines ("filthiest machines in the world" was a quote), but thought the MoPac Eagle PA units were the most beautiful trains he ever saw. I'm looking forward to see Rapido's version.
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Post by wmcbride on Mar 11, 2024 9:04:18 GMT -8
I didn't see any mention of new, more realistically sized grab irons ...
Bill McBride
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Post by cpr4200 on Mar 11, 2024 9:52:28 GMT -8
^^^ I wish they'd get away from plastic grabs.
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Post by prr 4467 on Mar 11, 2024 16:47:48 GMT -8
Doesn't everybody else actually use metal grab irons now? Certainly, metal grab irons are more durable and better looking. Even some Walthers Mainline engines are now coming in with metal grab irons factory installed.
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Post by wmcbride on Mar 11, 2024 18:55:01 GMT -8
Comparing the grabs on my Piko Krauss Maffei to my Rapido SP PA ... well, it is quite a stark contrast.
Same for my Athearn engines vis-a-vis my Rapido PA.
At least the grey color blends them in a bit unlike those contrasting grabs on the Rapido DRGW PA ... Yikes!
Bill McBride
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Post by prr 4467 on Mar 12, 2024 18:40:44 GMT -8
The DRGW one is the main one I was interested in...Yikes is right.
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Post by Baikal on Mar 12, 2024 20:46:24 GMT -8
I didn't see any mention of new, more realistically sized grab irons ... Bill McBride
Possible excuses Rapido could offer for the use of fat plastic grabs vs scale wire:
A) Impossible! on the PA due to complex nose geometry and limits of Chinese wire-bending technology.
B) Would cut into profits.
C) Don't see it as a problem.
Did they ever say which?
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Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 13, 2024 5:31:51 GMT -8
Exshully, they did:
They strongly want to include the "bolt holdown" detail. On many diesels, the grabs are placed in varying positions. If they were to do wire grabs, they'd have to do multiple molds with the "bolt holdown" detail in the various locations.
By using cast grabs, that detail goes with the grab, and only one mold is needed.
So I guess the answer is B).
I'll note that they tend to use wire grabs on freight cars, where the grabs don't (usually) get applied in varying locations.
Ed
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Post by packer on Mar 13, 2024 5:50:05 GMT -8
Couldn't they cast the "bolt holdown," then drill directly under (or over) it?
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Post by prr 4467 on Mar 13, 2024 5:59:16 GMT -8
They could, but as stated above, the grab locations for Alco PA's are all over the place, so then they would need multiple different noses with the cast bolt location being the only thing that varies, which would cut into their profits.
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