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Post by llxlocomotives on Jan 17, 2016 21:43:44 GMT -8
I got my unit a week ago. A #200 no sound. It had two pieces floating in the plastic secure, but the model was otherwise excellent. I have run my first set of tests. The performance is very good. It competes well with Atlas and Kato. I will be posting the results on my site in a few days. The motor torque wobble was vertually non existent. Probably the best I have seen to date. This is my first test on a Rapido model, so I can't speak to how it compares to a norm. All in all it seems to be an excellent model. Larry www.llxlocomotives.com |
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Post by jonklein611 on Jan 18, 2016 5:16:37 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! Oh they are coming.... My wallet is already on fire. |
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Post by jonklein611 on Jan 18, 2016 7:59:25 GMT -8
Saw this over on RM Web, figured it needed post here:
Hi All,
Dan has been at the factory for a week now. Last week he and Colin, our manager of Chinese operations, did some drop tests.
The first was the easy one. Have a look:
(http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/87114-the-official-rapido-apt-e-thread/page-59#entry2168964)
After the second one, where they threw the box off the balcony, it was decided to strengthen the PVC blister.
In the revised packaging, the APT-E survived both tests with nothing coming loose. That means: if your APT-E arrives in the post with the nose or some other parts loose in the box, the treatment it received at the hands of the courier/parcel company delivering it was WORSE than throwing it down a flight of stairs or off a 15-foot-high balcony.
Note in the photos above that the packaging is completely undamaged after being thrown down the stairs. We've recently received a couple of emails along the lines of: "My F40 had the horn broken off but the box was undamaged, so it must have happened in the factory." No. It didn't happen in the factory. The box is just much stronger than the fragile plastic model inside it. UPS dropped your F40 20-feet from a conveyor and then threw it into a bin and then threw it into a truck and then threw it onto the floor in your hobby shop, who repackaged it and sent it out again to receive the same treatment a second time!
I'll post more photos from the factory shortly.
-Jason
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Post by riogrande on Jan 18, 2016 9:23:19 GMT -8
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. Oh they are coming.... Has Jason/Rapido announced the production of the later phase F40PH's? I only bought on from this run because I mainly need the later phase common F40PH and I yes, my wallet would be toast too because those are what I need the most of. |
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Post by jonklein611 on Jan 18, 2016 9:32:21 GMT -8
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. Oh they are coming.... My wallet is already on fire. Has Jason/Rapido announced the production of the later phase F40PH's? I only bought on from this run because I mainly need the later phase common F40PH and I yes, my wallet would be toast too because those are what I need the most of. I'm just going off of Jason's post in the Lettuce Car Thread that states they have multiple in development at the same time (At least VIA Rebuilds and Cabbages, but why not do the later phases as well?) |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 18, 2016 9:58:55 GMT -8
I'm just going off of Jason's post in the Lettuce Car Thread that states they have multiple in development at the same time (At least VIA Rebuilds and Cabbages, but why not do the later phases as well?) Now let me see. Which of those three options (VIA rebuilds, cabbage, later phase) would sell the most? Nah. No one in their right mind would determine production by possible sales. Makes no sense. Oh, yeah. I'm in for two of the later. Phase. Ed |
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Post by riogrande on Jan 18, 2016 11:00:52 GMT -8
I'm just going off of Jason's post in the Lettuce Car Thread that states they have multiple in development at the same time (At least VIA Rebuilds and Cabbages, but why not do the later phases as well?) So Rapido hasn't announced the later Amtrak F40PH's? Bummer. I've learned that until something is officially announced, I don't have a reason to hold my breath and start saving up for it. That said, I do hope they will cause I would like to be multiples of them as much as I can afford. |
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Post by drolsen on Jan 18, 2016 17:34:16 GMT -8
I'm just going off of Jason's post in the Lettuce Car Thread that states they have multiple in development at the same time (At least VIA Rebuilds and Cabbages, but why not do the later phases as well?) Well, the catch there is that many of the Cabbages were rebuilt from Phase I units like Rapido has already produced, so they just need to make mods to the existing model (which I'm betting they planned for in advance). Creating the later phase F40PHs will be a much bigger project. I bet Jason intends to do it, but one step at a time. I suspect the next run may include the Cabbages plus Phase I units with ditchlights, which I will jump on, but probably only one of each, since the Phase Is were rare in my era, and the Cabbages never operated in my locale. Dave |
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Post by pboilermaker on Jan 18, 2016 21:13:50 GMT -8
I'm just going off of Jason's post in the Lettuce Car Thread that states they have multiple in development at the same time (At least VIA Rebuilds and Cabbages, but why not do the later phases as well?) Well, the catch there is that many of the Cabbages were rebuilt from Phase I units like Rapido has already produced, so they just need to make mods to the existing model (which I'm betting they planned for in advance). Creating the later phase F40PHs will be a much bigger project. I bet Jason intends to do it, but one step at a time. I suspect the next run may include the Cabbages plus Phase I units with ditchlights, which I will jump on, but probably only one of each, since the Phase Is were rare in my era, and the Cabbages never operated in my locale. Dave Well, if the later phase units do get tooled, I hope they fix one of the only glaring issues I see with the model and it is one you do not need a set of dial calipers/scale plans to spot. The snowplow door cutouts, oddly, have obviously rounded corners while the molded on doors have sharp, 90-degree corners like the prototype (naturally, for the flush-closing door). Could these be tidied up with a file? I am guessing so, if done carefully, but it also is not the end of the world and the things they got right far outweigh that little tooling oversight.   Oh, I also hope any later phase models have the different front windows that stand noticeably proud of the surrounding sheet metal. If Rapido reads this, I am guessing these are details that people like Matt and Alex have already pointed out. I do not believe any F40PH in any scale or medium has included this major visual change to the face of the unit. Below is a Music City Star unit, but it is ex-Amtrak and it shows the revised front windows to good effect.  |
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Tom
Full Member
Posts: 235
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Post by Tom on Jan 19, 2016 9:58:01 GMT -8
It's more visible on a silver loco, on black it's not. And, yes, I'll jump onto a limb and say it was noticed and brought up. Walthers has hefty gaskets on their models which give the look and Kato has them on the insert, but they're not great (not much on that model is -mechanism aside).
The plow is an easy fix with a file or paint and a DW plow. There are many differences, and not all got them. It depends on era and shop time, etc. As with any loco, pick your road numbers and year and try your best.
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Post by pboilermaker on Jan 19, 2016 15:46:32 GMT -8
 We can just agree to disagree on the prominence of the revised front windscreens on a black unit. To me, they stand out in any paint and give it a relatively "bug eyed" appearance compared to the flush windscreens on as-delivered units.  Here they are on a dirtier unit...even more obvious.  The early phase underbody Cabbages even had the revised windscreens...  Appearance-wise, this change was very noticeable. Unfortunately, it appears to be limited to the Amtrak fleet and as such, would require Rapido to make some expensive tooling changes. Regardless, I'm all in for later phase Rapido Amtrak units, bug-eyed windscreens or not. |
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Tom
Full Member
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Post by Tom on Jan 19, 2016 23:21:28 GMT -8
We can just agree to disagree on the prominence of the revised front windscreens on a black unit. To me, they stand out in any paint and give it a relatively "bug eyed" appearance compared to the flush windscreens on as-delivered units. <snip> Appearance-wise, this change was very noticeable. Unfortunately, it appears to be limited to the Amtrak fleet and as such, would require Rapido to make some expensive tooling changes. Regardless, I'm all in for later phase Rapido Amtrak units, bug-eyed windscreens or not. Not entirely... it appears to be era specific and all those images are post '95, which constituted a whole pile of changes. Phase III units were delivered with more flush ones:  www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4012562and www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=251046&nseq=26you're right about tooling costs, I'm sure. It's a compromise I too would live with. -Tom |
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Post by amfleet on Jan 20, 2016 18:17:14 GMT -8
 Howdy I got mine as soon as it became available from MBK with dcc/sound - what a sweet engine - only bummer was the horn was a hopeless mess of broken parts - I'll replace it with a calscale brass K5la as mine is a Phase 3 with a New Haven home port assignment from the mid to late 80's and many had received new horns by that time so its not a big deal - plastic parts like that are very susceptible to damage and its in a bad spot that it'll all ways be getting touched up front like it is so the brass replacement horn for me works out okay My club is actually still dc - but the engine worked as per design and and pulled great - even later mu'd with my FL-9 and the two walked away with a heavy train drawing very little amps with sound and lights doing their thing Being this model is an early version F-40 many tended in the 80's to operate solo out of New Haven to Boston or Springfield so this will be my only one along with my FL-9 - totally loving what Rapido has done with these models and yeah compared to others they are more expensive but honestly for me they were worth it - very unique items and operate very well Happy Trails -
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Post by jonklein611 on Jan 23, 2016 17:34:17 GMT -8
I was re-reading some of the Rapido Newsletters and came across this:
But the exciting story is in tooling. Currently, we have the following models in the mould shop, listed by level of completion. This does not include models that are in the design stages; these are only models that are actually in tooling.
OO gauge APT-E (UK) - completed
N scale 1400-series GMD-1 - completed
HO scale mystery locomotive to be announced at Springfield - completed
HO scale redesigned FP9A locomotive - completed
N scale FL9 locomotive - final tweaks
N gauge TEA tanker wagon (UK) - final tweaks
N scale New Haven coaches - second round of revisions
N scale Baggage-Express - second round of revisions
HO scale RDC-1 - second round of revisions
N gauge Pendolino (UK) - first test castings
N scale mystery locomotive #1 - first test castings
N scale mystery locomotive #2 - first test castings
HO scale New Haven 8600-Series coaches - just started
HO scale Alco/MLW FA-2 and FPA-2 - just started
OO gauge mystery locomotive (UK) - just started
HO scale F40PH with ditch lights - just started
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Post by atsfan on Jan 23, 2016 18:19:03 GMT -8
I was re-reading some of the Rapido Newsletters and came across this: But the exciting story is in tooling. Currently, we have the following models in the mould shop, listed by level of completion. This does not include models that are in the design stages; these are only models that are actually in tooling. OO gauge APT-E (UK) - completed N scale 1400-series GMD-1 - completed HO scale mystery locomotive to be announced at Springfield - completed HO scale redesigned FP9A locomotive - completed N scale FL9 locomotive - final tweaks N gauge TEA tanker wagon (UK) - final tweaks N scale New Haven coaches - second round of revisions N scale Baggage-Express - second round of revisions HO scale RDC-1 - second round of revisions N gauge Pendolino (UK) - first test castings N scale mystery locomotive #1 - first test castings N scale mystery locomotive #2 - first test castings HO scale New Haven 8600-Series coaches - just started HO scale Alco/MLW FA-2 and FPA-2 - just started OO gauge mystery locomotive (UK) - just started HO scale F40PH with ditch lights - just started HO scale mystery engine. SD40-2 ? More likely something based on existing tooling they have. Hopefully something seen in the USA west. |
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Post by BEDT26 on Jan 23, 2016 21:49:02 GMT -8
I was re-reading some of the Rapido Newsletters and came across this: But the exciting story is in tooling. Currently, we have the following models in the mould shop, listed by level of completion. This does not include models that are in the design stages; these are only models that are actually in tooling. OO gauge APT-E (UK) - completed N scale 1400-series GMD-1 - completed HO scale mystery locomotive to be announced at Springfield - completed HO scale redesigned FP9A locomotive - completed N scale FL9 locomotive - final tweaks N gauge TEA tanker wagon (UK) - final tweaks N scale New Haven coaches - second round of revisions N scale Baggage-Express - second round of revisions HO scale RDC-1 - second round of revisions N gauge Pendolino (UK) - first test castings N scale mystery locomotive #1 - first test castings N scale mystery locomotive #2 - first test castings HO scale New Haven 8600-Series coaches - just started HO scale Alco/MLW FA-2 and FPA-2 - just started OO gauge mystery locomotive (UK) - just started HO scale F40PH with ditch lights - just started HO scale mystery engine. SD40-2 ? More likely something based on existing tooling they have. Hopefully something seen in the USA west. Probably a New Haven electric EP4, EF3B or EP5 since Rapido has done the Osgood Bradley passenger cars this wouldn't surprise me! :-) |
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Post by rapidotrains on Jan 24, 2016 5:45:12 GMT -8
I can confirm we have several new loco announcements at Springfield based on models we've done before and one new loco announcement that is ALL NEW, but we are holding that one off until February or March.
-Jason
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Post by notabob on Jan 24, 2016 6:55:33 GMT -8
I can confirm we have several new loco announcements at Springfield based on models we've done before and one new loco announcement that is ALL NEW, but we are holding that one off until February or March. -Jason So, no draper announcement (if interpretation of the teaser you posted is accurate) in addition to the cabbage next weekend, then? Fiddlesticks. |
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Post by atsfan on Jan 24, 2016 8:40:55 GMT -8
I can confirm we have several new loco announcements at Springfield based on models we've done before and one new loco announcement that is ALL NEW, but we are holding that one off until February or March. -Jason I Can wait another month for the SD40-2. Thanks |
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Post by eh49 on Jan 24, 2016 10:17:07 GMT -8
How many you going to buy?
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Post by llxlocomotives on Mar 28, 2016 20:25:32 GMT -8
Posted my performance assessment on my web site. My unit is a particularly good performer.
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Howdy 
