Rapido 44-tonners due soon

[lackawanna1223]

Saw some pics of an Arcade and Attica on the ‘Bay and it’s sharp.

[cajonfun]

We have few units left and small refill.
Little ones have been popular.
Regards,
Lorne James, Otter Valley Railroad

[jonklein611]

[lvrr325]

Most of them went pretty fast, some others I can still get, Southern, Milwaukee, a couple others.

[12bridge]

This is a model I have been mulling over since they were announced.  I have two new York Dock Railway ones I want to build, so I wound up grabbing one from Lombard.  There's a few key things my eyes gravitate to.  



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1 - Window glass.  It looks way better in person then in the photos, but it does still have that "coke bottle" effect that has become Rapido standard lately.  The fit of the side sliding windows could be better as well.  I am not in love with the overall size of them, they do seem a touch too big to me (compare the top edge of the slider windows, to the top edge of the fixed windows - they SHOULD be bigger, I just think they are too big).   I think I may model my engine with these windows open, and close up the bottom with a piece of .010" styrene to give it a better look.  The slot on the truck side frames between the springs is also too big.  




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2 - The windshield wipers are a joke.  Come on, a piece of bent wire? We wont even talk about the size.  I thought the model had window bars when I opened the box.  PE wipers have been standard for what, 20 years now?  I DO like the Wabco A-1 horn.  This is something that has never been offered as a detail part in the past (Anyone have any extras they want to get rid of?).  The mold seam on the cab side (on this side only) is ugly.  It almost looks like the slide did not fully seat in the mold. 


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3 - The cab decorative pieces (not sure what to call them...) are chunky.  The handrails are a tad thick as well, but overall they look good, and sit nice and straight.  I can't comment on the tread plate size, as I have not seen one up close in person.

  
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4 - The trucks bind on the footboards if your track is not 100% flat.  


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5 - I already commented previously about the lack of literally any draft gear detail for the coupler.


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6 - This is one I really do not like.  The hood radius on the end is way too shallow, making it look too square.  The radius should come down past the centerline of the headlight - to line up with the top of the hood doors.  I think the side one should be a little more as well, but its not as noticeable.  



I can not comment on running, as I have not tested it.  I have heard of people having issues with the boards not playing nice with programming.  

Take it as you want, but honestly this is a "meh" model to me.  I think its a step up from the Bachmann, especially with the different phases offered.  It has some nice qualities, but the execution is far from perfect.  

[cpr4200]

Good observations, I'll keep them in mind when I get to work on my undecs. I think the model captures the 44 tonner look very well, overall. Certainly the fact that the hoods are scale width and consequently the windows are correctly proportioned is a huge plus. (I have an O scale brass 44t that has over width hoods. O scale!)

Looking forward to Gotham's 44t draft gear. Also a possible part: B&M and Maine Central's Phase I units have large louvers on the cab side access doors. They're not stampings, but appear to be fabricated.

[lvrr325]

The great irony is it's a step up from Bachmann at a much lower price point. Which almost makes it reasonable for the money at this point.

I'm just disappointed I was unable to get the plain yellow with the early grilles. But I didn't know I wanted one until I saw them.

[Baikal]

Rapido used what looks like DRGW Aspen Gold on their SP 44-tonners instead of the correct Daylight / PFE orange.  Too yellow & light.  Haven't they done something in Daylight or PFE colors?

I hope this is corrected on the forthcoming Pacific Electric 44-tonners.