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Post by bdhicks on Jul 21, 2020 6:53:05 GMT -8
As I recall, they mostly use EDM to cut the tooling, which involves vaporizing metals at high voltages. I don't know much about the specifics, but I can imagine that may cause environmental concerns.
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Post by thebessemerkid on Jul 21, 2020 7:09:12 GMT -8
I'd bet CNC machined aluminum tooling. Bootleg software. Used chicken grease coolant. All sorts of mom & pop subcontractors was the order of the day whwn I was dealing with Chinese suppliers. Pollution gets bad in the city and they push it out into smaller cities. Some of the China pollution pictures and maps are scary. Most of the population has COPD.
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Post by thebessemerkid on Jul 21, 2020 7:14:01 GMT -8
As I recall, they mostly use EDM to cut the tooling, which involves vaporizing metals at high voltages. I don't know much about the specifics, but I can imagine that may cause environmental concerns. EDM is typically used for harder metals. Nobody is paying for steel tooling unless they are running a LOT of parts. Aluminum is soft, easy to machine. Cheaper tooling but less longevity. When you add slides n pulls n stuff, you can get into wear and registration problems. But if you're only running say 10,000 parts, it's aluminum tooling all the way. CNC, polish, run.
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Post by jonklein611 on Jul 21, 2020 7:38:33 GMT -8
As I recall, they mostly use EDM to cut the tooling, which involves vaporizing metals at high voltages. I don't know much about the specifics, but I can imagine that may cause environmental concerns. EDM is typically used for harder metals. Nobody is paying for steel tooling unless they are running a LOT of parts. Aluminum is soft, easy to machine. Cheaper tooling but less longevity. When you add slides n pulls n stuff, you can get into wear and registration problems. But if you're only running say 10,000 parts, it's aluminum tooling all the way. CNC, polish, run. Rapido use EDM for a majority of their tooling. It allows for increased accuracy: Source: myemail.constantcontact.com/Rapido-News-116---N-and-HO-scale-news--and-new-videos-.html?soid=1101318906379&aid=iQFt1mmP0HE
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Post by thebessemerkid on Jul 21, 2020 8:09:00 GMT -8
Yes, for steel tooling EDM is the way to go. I seem to recall reading they had several (3?) different tooling subcontractors and were looking to bring thungs in house. The stories of older models requiring mold rework or replacement (the steam generator cars come to mind) makes one think that aluminum tooling had been used in the past.
When I was working our general decision point recommendations for aluminum vs steel tooling was in the tens of thousands of parts (tool life). There were some treatments to extend aluminum tool life, but adding those in made the aluminum vs steel differential less. We could get Chinese steel tooling for equal or often less cost than US aluminum tooling. Sometimes far less, but the quality (parting lines, finish etc) were unsuitable for customer-facing product parts. For internals, as long as they met and held dimensional tolerances it was fine.
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Post by thebessemerkid on Jul 21, 2020 17:03:31 GMT -8
The other game with China was tooling was cheap, but you didn't own the molds. You couldn't pick up what you paid for and take it elsewhere. So you were married to that subcontractor unless you had someone with some influence (money) who could get the tools out. Also lots of that tooling would get run off the clock and *presto* counterfeits would start appearing. Lots of the clone stuff on ebay and Alibaba had enclosures run on factory tooling. Either off the clock, abandoned or worn-out tooling that was supposed to have bewn scrapped. Bit of a digression, but business in China was a whole different animal. Everything had to be verified and watched like a hawk. Lots of the stuff global sourcing (purchasing) "saved" the company money on actually wound up costing more. Accounting didn't capture that, so it persisted, probably to this day.
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Post by lvrr325 on Jul 21, 2020 17:06:05 GMT -8
My "Just Arrived" newsletter says Ski Train sets, singles and NH diners have arrived, I didn't look to see what's actually available (not spoken for already) yet.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jul 21, 2020 20:49:17 GMT -8
The NH diners arrived back in December. However, the 2nd run of 8600 NH coaches should be arriving soon.
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Post by lvrr325 on Jul 21, 2020 22:19:32 GMT -8
132008 Lewis Morris, 132011 William Bradford. Perhaps they're extras as a search tells me these were NHRHTA only cars.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jul 21, 2020 22:31:46 GMT -8
I know that Rapido does indeed keep back a small number of items for warranty repair or replacement. Since it's been over 6 months, they probably decided to sell them off so that makes sense. Speaking for the NHRHTA, we still have plenty of diners in all three styles/schemes available. Even though, technically, only we are supposed to be able to sell the skirted McGinnis cars, it's not a big deal. Because in order for us to sell these excess cars, we'd have to buy them from Rapido first. And we're not about to do that with what we have in inventory.
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Post by lvrr325 on Jul 22, 2020 10:28:37 GMT -8
Well, my source does buy closeouts and old stock when they get the opportunity, they've cleaned out Rapido before, a couple months ago they cleaned out Atlas, heck I think in 2018 it was they came up with a batch of Boley HO trucks, which have been a Walthers item for a long time now.
Usually on that old stuff the quantities are low, if they get 10 of something it's a lot.
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Post by stevewagner on Jul 23, 2020 12:56:13 GMT -8
Thursday, June 23, 2020, 5:55 p.m., EDT
Rapido Trains has now revised their website as well as sending an e-mail to those on its e-mail list for dealers. (I'm still on that list because I used to work part time for a railroad hobby shop that closed a few years back.) Some errors in paint schemes and one wrong locomotive road number have been corrected. The originally listed D&H 5009 will replaced with D&H 5003. As Dominic Bourgeois and other knowledgeable D&H fans pointed out, only D&H 5000-5005, which came to the D&H in 1961 had high short hoods. The 5009 was part of a group bought by the D&H a little later, had low short hoods with low noses. The 5004 was given a different sort of low nose after a wreck. The firm is hoping to produce later D&H paint schemes and RS-11's with low short hoods later.
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Post by riogrande on Oct 26, 2020 8:03:14 GMT -8
Looks like the Rapido Flexi's are shipping now. I just got a notice from the vendor I pre-ordered from.
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Post by snootie3257 on Oct 26, 2020 11:06:07 GMT -8
I just received mine today and after looking it over can say I find it to be one of the nicest RTR cars I’ve bought. It also is my first Rapido product. If there is anything not right about it it isn’t fit and finish. At least with the one I received. Really looking forward to their 50’ SP box car!
Steve
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Post by riogrande on Oct 26, 2020 13:50:15 GMT -8
Mine single probably won't arrive until tomorrow or Wed. Even tho the PC and CR probably never made it west of the Rockies, I'm sill tempted.
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Post by mdvle on Nov 15, 2020 16:56:36 GMT -8
Bit late on this. possible errors, think I got most of the stuff.
Rapido Facebook Live - November 11th
Angus Vans - likely will be 5 to 6 years before another run, so if you want them order by next week Paint - working to try and get better distribution in the US F30 - completely die cast, hobbyist can swap out the deck for a real wood one if they desire to do it F30 - last TTX red scheme, maybe BNSF tie car, in next run F30 - trailers announced soon, working through a long list of possibles F30 - steps on corner, since sample upgraded to etched corner steps Bilevels - a lot of rivets! Bilevels - if successful could be a yearly/ever 2 year release schedule Bilevels - cab cars - no sound, but designed to accept sound if the modeler wants Bilevels - hope for tooling samples in spring Bilevels - Facebook video - the went around the CAD showing features Bilevels - door steps are see through etched metal D10, X72 - tooling almost complete B-100-40 - first test shots - photos from factory PA1 - showed some unassembled pieces test shots EP5 - still finalizing pantograph EP5 - want to get pantograph right as it could lead to further overhead electric locos F59PHI - maybe F40-2C - requires all new shell and frame, tough call H-6 - still taking orders NH County Cars - design finished, waiting for slot Now Rapido has done NH and PRR, what about NYC? sit tight new GO cab cars - maybe some day
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Post by mdvle on Dec 7, 2020 17:48:52 GMT -8
From Rapido's Twitter feed, Jason did an interview with a YouTube podcaster Took some notes, possible errors, all dates are from recording date whenever that was - talks general timelines to bring a model to market, how available research materials impact things - Rohr Turboliner is going to tooling - PA samples on way - D10 samples being assembled in China, should arrive before Christmas - the UK GWR1600 steam loco toolng was 1/3 the cost of the Royal Hudson tooling - North American steam has a lot more parts - CN H-6 - likely set an order deadline of a month after the D10 arrives so people can see the D10 in operation - guesses 2/3 to 3/4 of Royal Hudson models were for a display case - people don't want to buy workhorses like D10/H-6 for a display case - next all new steam loco (after D10/possible H-6/regular Hudson) - something shiny that people will want in a display case - M420 - leaving factory in 8 days - BC Rail M420 - only shared parts with CN M420 is the trucks, everything else would need to be all new tooling - may try and go the Turboliner route for a BC Rail M420 - open up to orders, if they don't meet a needed number they won't proceed - undecorated models days are numbered - not enough people ordering them - will do un-numbered models in batches of 6 - F40PH - the only paint scheme to not make it was VRE (I think) - sold more LRC cars than all the NH cars combined - March/April -ish will see another batch of 2 unannounced product reruns used to make the factory happy, small production number to be sold until sold out. - Jason needs Canadian 40' and 50' boxcars for his layout Link to Turntable Podcast on YouTube
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Post by jonklein611 on Dec 7, 2020 18:05:13 GMT -8
- sold more LRC cars than all the NH cars combined Great notes! That's a staggering statistic. Glad to see there's interest in "modern" modeling. I'm sure there was quite a bit of pent up demand from the last LRC release. I'm still waiting on HO scale Amtrak LRC re-runs and the LRC loco in N.
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Post by mdvle on Dec 7, 2020 18:16:25 GMT -8
Meant to mention, worth watching - host is a teenager showing that the hobby does indeed have a future with the younger generations
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Dec 7, 2020 18:19:13 GMT -8
Wow. That's a lot of LRC cars. I know for a fact that the NHRHTA ordered ~2,000 8600 coaches (1st run), ~1,500 parlors, ~1,200 diners, and another ~300 8600 coaches (2nd run) for a total of 5,000 cars. And that's just for the NHRHTA. Add in the NH Osgood Bradley coaches (two runs), and that's a serious number of LRC's.
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Post by csxt8400 on Dec 7, 2020 18:23:19 GMT -8
I'm clearly out of the loop because I'm amazed that many people model the New Haven.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 7, 2020 18:28:34 GMT -8
I bought a pretty big pile of NH passenger cars, and I DON'T model the New Haven.
Ya just kind of get sucked in.
Ed
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Post by jonklein611 on Dec 7, 2020 18:39:34 GMT -8
Wow. That's a lot of LRC cars. I know for a fact that the NHRHTA ordered ~2,000 8600 coaches (1st run), ~1,500 parlors, ~1,200 diners, and another ~300 8600 coaches (2nd run) for a total of 5,000 cars. And that's just for the NHRHTA. Add in the NH Osgood Bradley coaches (two runs), and that's a serious number of LRC's. I'm guilty of a least a dozen from the "first" order, and only 4 from this round (had to get the remaining paint schemes) + N scale. Why is my wallet still on fire?
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Post by cp6027 on Dec 7, 2020 18:55:18 GMT -8
The last point about Canadian 40' and 50' boxcars is interesting. Would an NSC 40-foot boxcar with 8-foot door (to replace the out-of-production Trains Canada offering) explain the unannounced freight car tooling pictured in the last newsletter? The A1A GMD-1s need something to pull that doesn't have hugely oversize rivets...
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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Dec 7, 2020 19:02:56 GMT -8
There are a number of 40’ box cars that could be made that would have applications both for Canadian roads and those in the U.S. I look forward to seeing what they decide to produce. Bad thing is that with all of the variety of prototype road names and repaintes, with the warning of no more kits hurts whose who want to model something not produced RTR. The last point about Canadian 40' and 50' boxcars is interesting. Would an NSC 40-foot boxcar with 8-foot door (to replace the out-of-production Trains Canada offering) explain the unannounced freight car tooling pictured in the last newsletter? The A1A GMD-1s need something to pull that doesn't have hugely oversize rivets...
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Dec 7, 2020 23:17:35 GMT -8
csxt8400, Where have you been, man? The NH's popularity is interesting since it's been gone for 50+ years. Sure, the McGinnis flashy paint schemes help (there's a reason why a NH orange boxcar was on the Athearn BB box lid for so many decades after all), but I think there's something in our favor: the NH connected the largest city in the world with three state capitals through some of the most densely populated & wealthy areas of the country where most homes have basements. But the most critical thing may be that nothing came along to replace the NH. It's not like we were bought out by the Union Pacific which then became even more popular; the NH was merged into the PC which was worse than the NH. Then the mainline got split up between the states of N.Y., Conn. and Mass. with Amtrak getting the rest. The remainder went to CR and then CSX, and they barely hold a candle to what the NH used to do with freight (no offense). It's hard to model the modern day when there's nothing left to model. Shortlines and regionals took over what freight was left on the ex-NH lines that CR/CSX didn't keep, and what was a unified system from 1893 to 1968 fractured into Metro-North, ConnDOT, MBTA, Amtrak, Providence & Worcester, Naugatuck RR, Housatonic RR, Bay Colony RR, Connecticut Southern, Mass Coastal RR, Cape Cod Central, and several little roads. If you lived in Southern New England and wanted to model trains in your local area, would you pick the modern day electrified NEC with Acelas, ACS-64's and a couple local freights lurking about? Or would you rather model the 1950's when every passenger train was different and mainline freight trains were common? Ed & Jon, Muahahahahaha! Our plan for (model) world domination is nearly complete! Come to the NH dark side; we have Jets! Well, soon we'll have Jets...
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 8, 2020 7:11:07 GMT -8
Sure, the McGinnis flashy paint schemes help (there's a reason why a NH orange boxcar was on the Athearn BB box lid for so many decades after all), Ed
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Dec 8, 2020 9:19:16 GMT -8
Ed, And there you go! Another box top with the NH's McGinnis scheme. What I always thought funny was that Revell managed to paint the correct-ish paint scheme on their F7A while Athearn has never been able to. Athearn started with the white F7A in NH that kinda sort-of matched the F-M lightweight train, "John Quincy Adams" (just like Lionel did). www.hoseeker.net/AthearnBrochuresAds/Brochure%201961%20pg1.jpgWhen Athearn changed the paint job to be more like an FL9, they still couldn't be bothered to do it right, keeping the large orange trapezoid under the side windows. www.hoseeker.net/AthearnBrochuresAds/Brochure%201962%20pg7.jpg
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Post by nsc39d8 on Dec 8, 2020 9:49:39 GMT -8
I really hope they do the BC Rial M420's. I would be in for a Delaware Lackawanna and the Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern. The MHWA unit is still in BC Rail Red, White and Blue.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 8, 2020 9:50:14 GMT -8
In the Athearn examples, I assume they didn't want to get heavily into doing new paint masks. For that matter, since it was so long ago, maybe they "COULDN'T" do the proper mask.
Ed
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