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Post by atsfan on Dec 19, 2015 17:32:39 GMT -8
In stores now and going fast ifyou want them and dont have them lined up already.
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Post by John Sheridan on Dec 22, 2015 6:46:27 GMT -8
In stores now and going fast ifyou want them and dont have them lined up already. My two arrived yesterday. It only took the 5th try (Bachman, Kato, Walthers, Model Power). But one manufacturer managed to get this model correct - Rapido. These models are simply stunning. |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 22, 2015 6:57:59 GMT -8
It appears they are selling fast - MBK has already sold out of all the non-sound phase III. This should be good news so Rapdio should be moving ahead with the mid and later phase bodies which are of most interest to me. The mainstay's of the Amtrak California Zephyr were mostly the mid and later phase diesels in the 300 number series - although they did occasionally get one of the early phase F40PH's too. Yeah, the ol F40PH has taken a long time to get a top quality version finally done. I've got 3 Walthers and 3 KATO which were semi-decent but I think Rapido is finally doing them proper justice.
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Post by atsfan on Dec 22, 2015 7:04:18 GMT -8
Phase 3 is a much prettier paint than phase 2 and will sell well.
Looks matter sometimes :-)
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Post by riogrande on Dec 22, 2015 7:15:55 GMT -8
I like phase III paint, but the main reason I choose it is that D&RGW didn't run Amtrak trains regularly until the RGZ was discontinued in 1983. Nearly all of the photo's I've seen from the earliest days show a pair or a trio of phase III paint F40PH's powering the Amtrak CZ - phase II paint on F40PH's was very rare on the AT-CZ in 1983 and later. In fact normally all the head end rolling stock had phase III paint (loco's, baggage cars and transition car, while the Superliner I cars at first all had Phase II paint for the first year or two, and by the mid-1980's the passenger cars started to get phase III paint as they were cycled through the paint shops.
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Post by scl1234 on Dec 22, 2015 7:34:02 GMT -8
If it's any consolation, at least Rapido offers these in what seven road numbers per Amtrak scheme. Seemingly plenty to go around regardless.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 22, 2015 7:48:56 GMT -8
I've identified a couple road numbers that did show up on the Amtrak CZ but not sure if I'll be able to get one of those since they've sold out so fast - which is good for Rapido and it's not like I don't have enough engines!
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Post by John Sheridan on Dec 22, 2015 7:54:45 GMT -8
Phase 3 is a much prettier paint than phase 2 and will sell well. Looks matter sometimes :-) Mine are #200 (Phase II paint) & 209 (phase III paint). I have to agree the phase II paint is pretty ugly next to the Phase III paint. HOWEVER, I just had to get at least 1 of each just because I like variety. I also have one of these spuds for the exact same reason:  |
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Post by rapidotrains on Dec 22, 2015 9:14:09 GMT -8
We made 200 extras and they have all sold out. Yesterday we got an order for another two hundred and we had to turn it down. There will be more announcements for Amtrak fans at the Springfield show, with a teaser in our next newsletter. You can sign up by going here: www.rapidotrains.com/signupIt will redirect you to the Constant Contact signup page. -Jason |
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Post by carrman on Dec 22, 2015 9:27:38 GMT -8
We made 200 extras and they have all sold out. Yesterday we got an order for another two hundred and we had to turn it down. There will be more announcements for Amtrak fans at the Springfield show, with a teaser in our next newsletter. You can sign up by going here: www.rapidotrains.com/signupIt will redirect you to the Constant Contact signup page. -Jason The BEST F40 ever done in HO, including brass. Bravo. That dropping sound you hear? That's the value of all those other F40's on the market dropping fast. Dave |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 22, 2015 9:42:25 GMT -8
This would have been my first Rapido product but my budget was spent when they came in stock and I snoozed and loosed. Now that they've sold out, I'm returning one of the items that blew my budget so money free'd up but oh well, horse has left the barn. Good thing I guess is if Rapdio does the phase II carbody Amtrack F40PH's, those are really the main ones that pulled the early/mid-1980's Amtrak California Zephyr.
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Post by carrman on Dec 22, 2015 14:22:29 GMT -8
This would have been my first Rapido product but my budget was spent when they came in stock and I snoozed and loosed. Now that they've sold out, I'm returning one of the items that blew my budget so money free'd up but oh well, horse has left the barn. Good thing I guess is if Rapdio does the phase II carbody Amtrack F40PH's, those are really the main ones that pulled the early/mid-1980's Amtrak California Zephyr. You'll only need 3 or 4 of them for that time period of the CZ.....;-) Never will forget June of '87, 22 cars long, 4 F40's up front between SLC and Denver. Dave |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 22, 2015 15:21:22 GMT -8
Thats a monster train. Back in 89 or 90, I road the CZ from Chicago to Oakland. Leaving west from Denver, we had 4 F40PH's, 3 MHC cars, 1 baggage, 1 Ex-El Capitan Bilevel transition car, 11 Superliner 1 cars, and 2nd diner on the end in the form of an ex-El Capitan bi-level diner. Seventeen cars as I recall, which was a long train in my book.
I've got 3 KATO and 3 Walthers F40PH's, which represent the 3rd phase and 2nd phase, respectively. If I can find one, I may get one of the current Rapido's and if Rapido offers middle phase in a year, I'll try to get me a couple of those. Under ideal circumstances I probably won't be able to afford more than a couple but I'll try. Four? hah!
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Post by Dear Leader on Dec 22, 2015 16:00:40 GMT -8
We made 200 extras and they have all sold out. Yesterday we got an order for another two hundred and we had to turn it down. There will be more announcements for Amtrak fans at the Springfield show, with a teaser in our next newsletter. You can sign up by going here: www.rapidotrains.com/signupIt will redirect you to the Constant Contact signup page. -Jason The BEST F40 ever done in HO, including brass. Bravo. That dropping sound you hear? That's the value of all those other F40's on the market dropping fast. Dave Time will tell how well this models fare in the real world. A lot of new models got rave reviews upon release, and then when they started to operate on layouts, the ugly truth came out. Me, I'm holding on to my PFM and OMI models, they run great. I can pick them up, transport them to shows with out fear of things falling off. The plastic and die cast models look good, but don't hold up in frequent, long hours at shows. That dropping sound you hear, may be the expectations of the many that ordered them. Funny, that everyone rags on brass models, but they are still the measuring stick all other models are judged by. The king is dead, long live the king, and it isn't plastic!
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Post by carrman on Dec 22, 2015 16:28:27 GMT -8
Yeah, thats why the brass importers have been dropping like flies. Tell me another story.
Dave
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Post by roadkill on Dec 22, 2015 16:42:02 GMT -8
Phase 3 is a much prettier paint than phase 2 and will sell well. Looks matter sometimes :-) That's your opinion. As for me I prefer ph.2 paint simply because I model 1975 and that's the only scheme I can use correctly. |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 22, 2015 17:26:34 GMT -8
Time will tell how well this models fare in the real world. A lot of new models got rave reviews upon release, and then when they started to operate on layouts, the ugly truth came out. Me, I'm holding on to my PFM and OMI models, they run great. I can pick them up, transport them to shows with out fear of things falling off. The plastic and die cast models look good, but don't hold up in frequent, long hours at shows. That dropping sound you hear, may be the expectations of the many that ordered them. Funny, that everyone rags on brass models, but they are still the measuring stick all other models are judged by. The king is dead, long live the king, and it isn't plastic!
All things I'm seeing Rapido's models are fairing well and should continue to. Keep in mind many of us can't afford brass so kudo's to you that you could and even more than it's good running brass. I don't have any brass engines nor may I never have any, but I do have some brass cabooses and yes, I do have more confidence in handling them as they are pretty sturdy as well as look pretty good. But as nice as it is for you to pontificate and compare brass engines to plastic, come on, how are us mere mortals going to follow your great example? How much would we have to lay out to join your club (meaning club of brass engine owners, not train club) and how easy would it be to find and afford a set of 3 for example? |
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Post by atsfan on Dec 22, 2015 17:27:33 GMT -8
Phase 3 is a much prettier paint than phase 2 and will sell well. Looks matter sometimes :-) That's your opinion. As for me I prefer ph.2 paint simply because I model 1975 and that's the only scheme I can use correctly. Not just mine, as Phase 3 is selling out much faster than Phase 2 at stores. If phase 2 works for you fine. |
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Post by Dear Leader on Dec 22, 2015 17:58:07 GMT -8
Yeah, thats why the brass importers have been dropping like flies. Tell me another story. Dave Dave, stop being a child! Read my post and see I was talking about the durability of plastic and die cast models. I run at my club's open houses and at train shows for long periods of time. The plastic models I had just didn't hold up, plus they got damaged carrying them around, no matter how careful I was. My fellow club members run their trains around a lap or two, then park them. when I ask why, I being told they don't want to wear them out. A few brass importers have gone under, and yes, it's because of the better detailed plastic and die cast models. The ones still in business sell out, but their runs are smaller, and far more expensive. I don't buy those models, they are far above my budget. I buy used Overland Models at reduced prices. The prices are low because when a plastic version of the model appears, people sell their brass because they can get three models for the price of one. I have several come back wanting their brass back because they were disappointed. This then is the "Other Story".
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Post by Dear Leader on Dec 22, 2015 18:15:07 GMT -8
Time will tell how well this models fare in the real world. A lot of new models got rave reviews upon release, and then when they started to operate on layouts, the ugly truth came out. Me, I'm holding on to my PFM and OMI models, they run great. I can pick them up, transport them to shows with out fear of things falling off. The plastic and die cast models look good, but don't hold up in frequent, long hours at shows. That dropping sound you hear, may be the expectations of the many that ordered them. Funny, that everyone rags on brass models, but they are still the measuring stick all other models are judged by. The king is dead, long live the king, and it isn't plastic!
All things I'm seeing Rapido's models are fairing well and should continue to. Keep in mind many of us can't afford brass so kudo's to you that you could and even more than it's good running brass. I don't have any brass engines nor may I never have any, but I do have some brass cabooses and yes, I do have more confidence in handling them as they are pretty sturdy as well as look pretty good. But as nice as it is for you to pontificate and compare brass engines to plastic, come on, how are us mere mortals going to follow your great example? How much would we have to lay out to join your club and how easy would it be to find and afford a set of 3 for example? Well I don't pontificate, I merely speak the truth. It's there for those who want to hear it. As for not being able to afford brass models, well, I have found if a person really wants something, they have it, or they have an excuse for not having it. I'm a mere mortal, and I own a large number of OMI diesels, bought not at full MSRP, but at sales, eBay, swap meets, and some at full MSRP, because I knew they would be sold out. I belong to four clubs, the highest dues I pay is $30.00 bucks per month, the lowest, $15.00. I enjoy the majority of the member's fellowship, but I enjoy talking with public more. I get to talk with people I normally couldn't approach. Like I said, if you want it, you'll find a way to have it. Now how would one afford these models? I live on a 40 hour check. My overtime, and I work a lot of it, not by choice, goes to my hobby and other pursuits. I'm single, own my own house, paid for by the way, which I'm very proud. I have made bad decisions, lost money in bad investments, hell, even filed for bankruptcy, but I have always bounced back. When I get laid off, I work any job I can find until I find something better. I have worked minimum wage jobs, that just paid my bills, unable to buy trains.
Like I said if you really want something, you'll find a way. |
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Post by carrman on Dec 22, 2015 18:43:49 GMT -8
You hang out with strange people. No one, I mean no one I have ever met in this hobby has been worried about "wearing out" their plastic diesels. Must be quite the group you hang with. You can keep your brass. I also fail to see how disagreeing with your marvelous brass philosophy makes on a child.
Dave
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Post by Judge Doom on Dec 22, 2015 19:30:17 GMT -8
If I really want it, I'll by it in plastic, so I don't have for fork out 4x the cost and don't have to worry about spotty brass performance, shallow shell details, ugly truck sideframe rendering, and unsightly body gaps in the locomotive where brass body panels meet. Yeah, you can keep your brass.
Anyone who "wears out" plastic locos either needs a lesson in handling them properly because they're manhandling them to death, or is running them 24-7 in loops on a display layout for years. In the end, you'd probably be better served with two-dozen Athearn blue-box locos for the price of that one brass unit - parts and replacements are cheap when they wear out, and you can keep rebuilding and running them virtually forever.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 22, 2015 19:35:52 GMT -8
Sure, I could forgo many of the models I want to get a single brass engine, but it's just not worth it to me. It's not something I've really wanted based on what I've seen of varous brass F40PH's I wasn't impressed. The Rapido F40PH's look pretty amazing to me and better than any brass F40PH's I've laid eyes on. (coastdaylight, I didn't mean cost to join a train club or membership fees's - rather just "club in the sense of group of people who fork out for brass engines)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 20:27:08 GMT -8
Meanwhile I'm still waiting for my local store to tell me they got them in.  |
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Post by gmpullman on Dec 22, 2015 21:04:56 GMT -8
If anyone is really interested, Overland Hobbies has some in stock... OVERLAND
Ed |
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Post by GP40P-2 on Dec 22, 2015 21:15:06 GMT -8
Another advantage of the pre-order system. I ordered one 6 months ago, and now I get to wait, and wait and wait while everyone else gets theirs. Oh well..........................................
Pre ordering really sucks, but nothing will change.
Jim
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Post by Gary P on Dec 23, 2015 3:23:44 GMT -8
Didn't someone, (Dave Harrison, I'm pretty sure it was him...) do some long term testing on the Chicago Museum layout? I recall reading on the old Atlas forum about the surprisingly long performance of many plastic locos. Most of us probably would not come close to the hours/miles that the museum put on their stuff.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 23, 2015 4:53:44 GMT -8
Gary, that might be the guy - I had forgotten his name. I too recall those posts on the old Atlas forum his experiences with running various commercial engines on that layout - they accumulated a lot of run time so it was a good test platform for how long engines would run before wearing out parts. It was interesting stuff to read.
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Post by peoriaman on Dec 23, 2015 4:55:13 GMT -8
.... so I don't have for fork out 4x the cost and don't have to worry about spotty brass performance, shallow shell details, ugly truck sideframe rendering, and unsightly body gaps in the locomotive where brass body panels meet. This, exactly! Brass would be my LAST resort. |
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Post by Donnell Wells on Dec 23, 2015 5:07:17 GMT -8
Okay...I think we've heard enough of the brass vs plastic debate. Let get back to the thread topic.
Donnell
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