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Post by notabob on Dec 23, 2015 5:19:01 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. To be fair - there's brass and there's brass. I've seen some excellent looking brass diesels out there (can't comment on running quality as I have no first hand experience and won't speculate). And there are definitely some very nice brass cabooses, cabeese, vans out there. I own a few OMI CN & BCR cabeese and they are spectacular. Very well detailed, including interiors on the more recent (blue box) runs, and excellent factory paint work. True Line Trains plastic versions of the CN Pt. St. Charles van are yet to come out, but I'm pretty confident the OMI will look as good or better. Is it worth the price difference? When any new release from TLT was but a far away fantasy, despite announcements - brass was the only choice, so it was worth it to me. But even now that plastic ones are supposedly a month or two from release - I fully intend on keeping my brass versions, despite having several plastic ones on order as well. |
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Post by markfj on Dec 23, 2015 5:20:58 GMT -8
Gary: Yes, I (vaguely) recall that discussion too. If I remember correctly, he was in the process of buying large numbers of locomotives for the layout in order to better represent modern trains. Didn’t he comment that the biggest issue was that the wheel flanges would eventually wear to a point that they were near razor sharp? Of course, that was after days (weeks?) of almost continuous running on the layout. I also recall that track replacement was an ongoing issue too.
Back on topic: Rapido’s is clearly setting new benchmarks with its products. I can see why some would be concerned over the durability of the finer details, but I don’t recall ever reading about problems with the performance of their locomotives.
Thanks, Mark
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Post by notabob on Dec 23, 2015 5:33:19 GMT -8
Okay...I think we've heard enough of the brass vs plastic debate. Let get back to the thread topic.
DonnellFair enough. For those on the fence about Rapido F40PH durability - my two VIA versions have held up really well over the past year of use, including many hours of pulling an 8-car Canadian over two days of my club's open house a couple of months ago. So have my two 3.5 yr old FP9As. Generally speaking - Rapido's locomotives have proved to be the best runners/pullers on my roster. Much better than even Katos. |
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Post by roadkill on Dec 23, 2015 7:44:34 GMT -8
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. Try and find a non-sound Phase II, they're gone, and very few Phase II sounds are still available. |
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Post by rapidobill on Dec 23, 2015 8:26:22 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 Jim, I would check with whoever you ordered it from. They all shipped from us to the distributors at the same time so, everything else being equal, they should have arrived at the stores at more or less the same time as well. It would probably be worth a call. Bill Schneider Rapido Trains |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 23, 2015 9:32:54 GMT -8
I would have pre-ordered but I wasn't sure what my cash flow would be like when they hit. But the good news is they are a hit so hopefully Jason will be gearing up for the mid-phase Amtrak F40PH's in the high 200 and 300 series. Those I will make an effort to prepare ahead of time for!
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Post by GP40P-2 on Dec 23, 2015 13:07:31 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 Jim, I would check with whoever you ordered it from. They all shipped from us to the distributors at the same time so, everything else being equal, they should have arrived at the stores at more or less the same time as well. It would probably be worth a call. Bill Schneider Rapido Trains Bill: I checked with Caboose Hobbies in Denver, and they said that they have not received theirs yet. If that is the case, at least I should be in good company with many others! Jim L |
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Post by Dear Leader on Dec 23, 2015 17:11:36 GMT -8
We all make choices, and mine have worked for me. Others make their choices, and if it works for them, great.
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routerock
Junior Member
Rock Island in 1977
Posts: 94 
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Post by routerock on Dec 23, 2015 20:16:49 GMT -8
They are nice looking but I'm still waiting for the SDP40F in the phase II paint.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Dec 24, 2015 7:42:33 GMT -8
For the record, David Harrison had reported that the long-distance kings on the MSI layout were the Athearn Genesis SD70's with 3000 actual miles on them before major component failure. Their layout represents Chicago to Seattle, and their SD70's went all the way there and halfway back before failing.
I visited MSI back a few years ago and got the backshop tour of the layout with David. He showed me that their major problems with wearing out components are with pick-up wiper bearings and motor brushes, not gearing or drive train issues.
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Post by Chad on Dec 24, 2015 18:44:25 GMT -8
My two arrived today from MTS. I really want to open them but I am waiting until Christmas morning. I present to myself. Merry Christmas everyone.
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Post by milgentrains on Dec 24, 2015 20:26:31 GMT -8
My two arrived today from MTS. I really want to open them but I am waiting until Christmas morning. I present to myself. Merry Christmas everyone. Great minds think alike. Somehow an Genisis MP 15AC found it s way under my tree. |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 25, 2015 8:04:23 GMT -8
Okie dokie, since someone here mentioned Caboose Hobbies hasn't gotten their shipment of Rapido F40PH's, I figured I'd check some of my other online vendors when MBK is out and found Lombard's has pretty much all the Rapido F40PH's still in stock. And as a bonus, their prices were lower too which helps offset their higher shipping - still a net savings (I'm only going to stay with a single SD40R, that will free up some funds) I pulled the trigger on a DC phase III #224 as it was a western number - found a photo of it leading the Amtrak California Zephyr also. This will be my first (finally) Rapido product and my contribution toward bringing a run to market of phase II body F40PH's in the mid and upper 2xx and part of the 3xx number series. I'd want to get a sound unit then. So hopefully this is something that will be part of Rapido's upcoming product announcements.
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Post by jonklein611 on Dec 25, 2015 8:50:59 GMT -8
Looking at Trainworld's stock, seems like they are starting to get them in. Some listed as "buy now", some still listed as "Pre Order". Get them while you can!
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Post by roadkill on Dec 25, 2015 9:51:43 GMT -8
Lombard Hobbies just got a bunch in, they have non-sounds listed at $149.00.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 25, 2015 9:58:17 GMT -8
Lombard Hobbies just got a bunch in, they have non-sounds listed at $149.00. Yeppers, ordered one from them. At last check they had onezies and twozies of every number. |
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Post by valenciajim on Dec 25, 2015 15:09:49 GMT -8
When Rapido gets around to doing later versions, I hope they will produce some of these:  |
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Post by Chad on Dec 26, 2015 18:06:32 GMT -8
Well, opened and put them on the layout tonight. WOW, they are nice. And these are the first sound locomotives I have bought that I did not have to immediately turn the sound down on, Jason already did that, Thanks Jason. One of them arrived in PERFECT shape, nothing missing or broken. The other had the horn broken off and one of the bells broken off the horn. Not a big deal, fixed with a little glue. On the same engine one of the truck stirrups was missing. I emailed Rapido for a replacement, again no big deal.
These are beautiful, the sound is incredible and they run so smooth. If you are sitting on the fence about these my recommendation, buy them. These are my first Rapido engines and I am now sold. My opinion they trump Genesis and I love the Genesis engines. Anyway that's my 2 cents.
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Post by gmpullman on Dec 27, 2015 5:26:18 GMT -8
My pair arrived a few days ago from Factory Direct Trains. The horns were smashed and in pieces inside the packaging. Rapido is sending replacements. I've been running the wheels off these things over the past few days and I can say that they're quickly becoming my favorite locomotives! I had to buy an additional group of Amfleet cars (on sale at MBK!) to have in tow. Now, I have to ask, Is anyone else having coupler issues? It seems like my Macdonald Cartier couplers just do not want to stay mated and when they come apart, I have a doozie of a time getting them to mate again! RAPIDO COUPLERS
I want to support Jason and all of his endeavors but I'm not too convinced about these. They're not rusty, either, as the promotion proclaims. They claim to be able to work at minus 20° F but I have not personally tried them at that temperature but this is surely a good selling feature north of the 49th. There is an additional nub just forward of the knuckle spring that seems to impede coupling and staying coupled. Why is it there and should I file it off? I've been running a pair around for a few hours and every once in a while I check on their progress and all I see is one locomotive running backward pulling the train and the lead engine is half-a-mile ahead running solo. Is it just me or is anyone else having issues with the couplers? Thanks, Ed |
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Post by rapidotrains on Dec 27, 2015 6:35:43 GMT -8
My pair arrived a few days ago from Factory Direct Trains. The horns were smashed and in pieces inside the packaging. Rapido is sending replacements. I've been running the wheels off these things over the past few days and I can say that they're quickly becoming my favorite locomotives! I had to buy an additional group of Amfleet cars (on sale at MBK!) to have in tow. Now, I have to ask, Is anyone else having coupler issues? It seems like my Macdonald Cartier couplers just do not want to stay mated and when they come apart, I have a doozie of a time getting them to mate again! My honest advice? Swap them for Kadees. To include Kadees on the model adds an average of $5 to the retail price of every one of our models. You can get them yourself a lot cheaper. So no arguments from me about your coupler performance. There is NOTHING like a Kadee. But when we buy a Kadee we pay almost the same amount as you do, then we have to ship them to China, then we have to install them, and then we have to add double those costs to the MSRP to make our money back, bearing in mind the discount we give to distributors. In our passenger cars and FP9As we include four couplers with the model. That would increase the MSRP by closer to $10. If we did mostly direct orders we would swallow the cost and include Kadees. But because most of our sales are through stores and distributors, we use the clones. So take my advice and swap them out. No clone will ever be as good as a Kadee. -Jason |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 27, 2015 7:57:21 GMT -8
I'm ok with doing couplers Jasons way. While I appreciate models from some makers coming with KD's, if it's going to be that much more expensive, I can use KD's I buy in bulk.
Jason, which KD's do you recommend? Standard shank whisker or?
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Post by atsfan on Dec 27, 2015 8:13:28 GMT -8
My pair arrived a few days ago from Factory Direct Trains. The horns were smashed and in pieces inside the packaging. Rapido is sending replacements. I've been running the wheels off these things over the past few days and I can say that they're quickly becoming my favorite locomotives! I had to buy an additional group of Amfleet cars (on sale at MBK!) to have in tow. Now, I have to ask, Is anyone else having coupler issues? It seems like my Macdonald Cartier couplers just do not want to stay mated and when they come apart, I have a doozie of a time getting them to mate again! My honest advice? Swap them for Kadees. To include Kadees on the model adds an average of $5 to the retail price of every one of our models. You can get them yourself a lot cheaper. So no arguments from me about your coupler performance. There is NOTHING like a Kadee. But when we buy a Kadee we pay almost the same amount as you do, then we have to ship them to China, then we have to install them, and then we have to add double those costs to the MSRP to make our money back, bearing in mind the discount we give to distributors. In our passenger cars and FP9As we include four couplers with the model. That would increase the MSRP by closer to $10. If we did mostly direct orders we would swallow the cost and include Kadees. But because most of our sales are through stores and distributors, we use the clones. So take my advice and swap them out. No clone will ever be as good as a Kadee. -Jason This post above is perhaps the most honest and sensible one I have ever seen from a train manufacture. Outstanding. |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Dec 27, 2015 9:57:27 GMT -8
Ed, It sounds like the knuckle is getting stuck open. I've seen this happen with Kadees, too. They are not immune to this. Sometimes just working the knuckle open and closed (and doing it hard & fast) a dozen times will break the knuckle in. If that doesn't work, try dry graphite like "Grease 'Em". If that doesn't work, replace the coupler. Jason, I like your couplers and leave them on each model when I can, but there's three problems I have on a continuous basis with them, and all have to deal with the uncoupler "hose". On several examples the "hose" can rotate pretty freely. On other examples, the "hose" sticks out parallel with the rails when it should be at a slight angle towards the knuckle. And the last one is that on some examples the hose just isn't long enough to reach a track magnet. I know these problems can be beat because the people you have building your models can certainly do this (I have total belief in that; a coupler is huge yet simple compared to everything else they do.  ). A slightly thicker "hose" that's cut slightly longer and assembled at the correct angle will go a long way to making a more dependable Rapido coupler, IMHO. Of course, if one just clips the hoses off, then all the above is pointless to fix. But how else do you uncouple passenger cars and engines with working diaphagms? |
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Post by Judge Doom on Dec 27, 2015 10:04:11 GMT -8
The couplers could need a drop of lube, a bit of filing if there's some flash on the coupler face where it shouldn't be, or the most obvious problem of all: those dang trip pins might be contacting an air hose or a detail on the pilot, preventing the couplers from engaging or allowing them to uncouple easily.
I've had QC problems with the older Rapido (McD-Cartier) metal couplers in regards to the trip pins falling out or rotating to odd angles, but the redesigned ones that look more like Kadees on the recent releases seem to have upped the QC ante.
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Post by rapidotrains on Dec 27, 2015 10:26:34 GMT -8
The couplers could need a drop of lube, a bit of filing if there's some flash on the coupler face where it shouldn't be, or the most obvious problem of all: those dang trip pins might be contacting an air hose or a detail on the pilot, preventing the couplers from engaging or allowing them to uncouple easily. I've had QC problems with the older Rapido (McD-Cartier) metal couplers in regards to the trip pins falling out or rotating to odd angles, but the redesigned ones that look more like Kadees on the recent releases seem to have upped the QC ante. The new ones are a lot better, I agree. Since we moved all our production over to our new factory last year, we've had a lot of improvements. A lot of people swap out our couplers for scale head whisker couplers. I prefer old #5s (whisker or not, doesn't matter) because I run passenger cars and the larger coupler heads are a) hidden and b) more forgiving. -Jason |
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Post by valenciajim on Dec 27, 2015 11:06:56 GMT -8
Thanks Jason, As ATSF said, the best and most coherent advice from a manufacturer.
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Post by peoriaman on Dec 27, 2015 12:05:26 GMT -8
I've been running the wheels off these things over the past few days ... Don't wear them out!  |
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Post by csxt8400 on Dec 27, 2015 12:55:08 GMT -8
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!
I suppose if all someone cares about is durability than brass is indeed king. But the details on brass engines are grossly inferior to the standard offerings from Atlas, KATO, Athearn, and Proto. Honestly brass is just a heavier and better painted Bachmann depending on which model we are talking about. Overland paints their stuff well but the trucks are just odd looking, the grilles aren't even the same pattern as their prototype, and just overall a poor representation to the actual locomotive when compared to the well done plastic versions. |
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Post by jonklein611 on Dec 27, 2015 17:33:09 GMT -8
..... Now, I have to ask, Is anyone else having coupler issues? It seems like my Macdonald Cartier couplers just do not want to stay mated and when they come apart, I have a doozie of a time getting them to mate again! ..... I've had some issues with them, one thing I've noticed is the trip pins are skewed in a weird way. When you go to mate the two couplers, the trip pins interfere with each other, opening the knuckles and not allowing a connection to be made. Other time's i've had the trip pins on "opposite" sides which drastically increases the minimum turning radius. After this show season i'm making the swap to kadees. Thanks for the tip Jason. What couplers are the same length for the LRC and Budd Streamliner cars? |
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Post by pboilermaker on Jan 17, 2016 18:18:41 GMT -8
Finally received my unit direct from Rapido. Pretty amazing little model and easily the best F40PH offered, period. The physical details are great and the sound scheme/operating characteristics take it to a new level.
The only reason I did not buy more is the early phase detail setup on this model, but if the later phase units come out, I am in real trouble.
As an aside, it is a shame that it took until 2016 to get a rooftop AC unit that had the proper Amtrak details. Same with the front anticlimber...so nice to see these little details done right!
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). A slightly thicker "hose" that's cut slightly longer and assembled at the correct angle will go a long way to making a more dependable Rapido coupler, IMHO.
