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Post by lars on Feb 6, 2021 7:42:06 GMT -8
If I were to only buy one more locomotive, it would be a C424/425. Torn on paint schemes, though. I’m actually leaning towards LA&L or WNY&P, so it may be a long wait for a Rapido version, painting a Rapido, or waiting around and dressing up the Atlas model.
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Post by mdvle on Feb 6, 2021 8:22:09 GMT -8
I think there is a CP C424 at Exporail as well. I don't remember if it is running or not. I think that would be the more likely one for Rapido to pay a visit to, #1 because it's a Canadian built unit, for a Canadian road, in Canada's (if not NA's) premier railway museum. #2, because who knows how much longer it will be before the world is back to something somewhat resembling normal. It could still be a long time before they are able to make a field trip south of the border to visit one of the units extant in the USA. If the Exporail C424 is running that is a big bonus because they can record it to create their sound files while they are there.
Rapido does have a bunch of employees in the US these days, and they scanned an E8 in California during the border closure (they mentioned in the Q&A that they intended to have a scanning party again but Covid prevented it) so location isn't so important.
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Post by cemr5396 on Feb 6, 2021 8:46:33 GMT -8
Rapido does have a bunch of employees in the US these days, and they scanned an E8 in California during the border closure (they mentioned in the Q&A that they intended to have a scanning party again but Covid prevented it) so location isn't so important.
Good point, I had forgotten about the US employees. (Sorry guys!)
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 6, 2021 10:05:12 GMT -8
The C424/425 I would imagine could share some existing components with the M420 (drive) and RS11 (trucks) as well, that might save some on the tooling costs.
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Post by 690 on Feb 6, 2021 10:31:24 GMT -8
A quick Google search shows that M420s are just over two and a half feet longer than a C424, and the distance between truck centers is about six feet in difference (or four feet for the M420R). So I'd imagine not a lot would be able to be reused from the M420s, although as you said they can easily use the trucks from the RS11 for a C424/425.
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Post by lackawanna1223 on Feb 6, 2021 10:37:27 GMT -8
As well, both retired Morristown & Erie C424s (ex TP&W) are preserved — one in Illinois and the other Jersey. I believe one of them is still operable. EDIT: Yep! www.tristaterail.org/me19
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Post by darkhorse on Feb 6, 2021 19:20:40 GMT -8
Apache Railway M424's please.
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 6, 2021 21:48:00 GMT -8
M&E bought some CP ones when they were dispersed, too, although I don't know that they did much with them.
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Post by mdvle on Feb 7, 2021 10:58:01 GMT -8
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Post by mdvle on Feb 23, 2021 13:12:11 GMT -8
Online Canadian Train Show - Sunday 21st February Rapido starts at the 1h40m point, on for an hour YouTube link- starts with a joke, Jason telling Jordon that they aren't making the Krauss-Maffei locos, Jordon saying wants to - HO New Look buses should cost $100+ due to the labor involved in making, hence why the factory prioritizes other projects - RS-10 8558 will be done at some point in the future - NSC Barrel Ore Car - in tooling, samples end of April-ish - why do something already done? some of their better sellers have been projects people said there was no point in doing - example, RDC - over 15k sold so far - E8's - fastest selling model for Rapido yet - E8 tooling starts next week, samples in approx 2 months - E8 order deadline July-ish - but Amtrak special edition E8 will go into production June-ish, with delivery late summer/early fall - RS-18u/RSC-14 - tooling done before Chinese New Year (CNY), samples soon as factories restart - CNY caused real problems this year as employees starting leaving in December to avoid the crowded conditions due to Covid fears - as result, 2nd week January one factory was down from 70 employees to 20, this has caused delays - RS-18u/RSC-14 likely order deadline May/June - they have full blueprints for RSC-24 due to person in the Maritimes who allowed them to copy them, but unlikely to ever make given only 4 prototypes ever made - but in general they are always looking for accurate drawings/good photos to help with potential future projects - in particularly, would really, really like accurate drawings for the 1937 CN balloon top cars - they have floorplans but need all the other stuff (underbody, etc) - CP freight car coming, design is done, maybe announced before summer - one reason for new interest in freight cars is ability to always have something to sell - some of their items need 4+ years between runs which isn't good for cash flow - when Jordan joined in 2016 they had a 3 month gap between deliveries. - EP-5 - 2nd run won't be for 6+ years, will take that long to allow demand to build up - hence why it costs so much, all costs need to be paid by first run - FPA-4 - maybe soon for another run, but don't think demand is sufficient yet. - VIA Rail Historical Association (VHA) - goal to have equipment certified to current Transport Canada standards so can actually run / be used - 2028 will be VIA's 50th, VHA would like to have several items ready by then so VIA can use them across Canada - looking for volunteers to help run the VHA - if interested send email to VHA, though response may take a while given a current lack of volunteers - D10 - Dan currently painting it and installing sound, then film a video - D10 - order deadline likely this spring - Procor tank car in production, aiming for this spring arrival - Meat Reefer - leave China late March hopefully - 3rd factory should be starting up now that CNY ending, first product will be the X31A - new run of the Turbo is required, but no timeframe.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 23, 2021 13:25:39 GMT -8
Great.
They have several months to fix the lettering on the side of the UP E's (see below).
And to raise the fuel fillers up onto the sides (something I didn't know about until pointed out recently).
Ed
(For those who care: On the E's, UP side lettering ("UNION PACIFIC") started out having "O"s and "C"s as round circles. Pretty classy, really. About 1960, they changed them to oval profile (like "regular" tall O's). Thing is, the rest of the model is mostly done as a mid-sixties to seventies version. So I think the side lettering should be era appropriate.)
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Post by mdvle on Mar 3, 2021 17:41:48 GMT -8
Rapido Trains Facebook Q&A - March 3rd 2021 Jordan, Bill, John - PRR H21 hoppers - order lots of GLa hoppers, then would be on Bill's shortlist - E44/E33 - John would love to do, NH had them - BC Rail M420 - all new tooling (BC Rail's were unique) - soft launch - Rapido is doing coal loads for the GLa hoppers, cast resin, will be in next newsletter - CP Chateau / CP Diner - maybe next year - X72 - single Conrail blue car in next run - EP-5 in production, shipping July/August estimated - CP Hudson - design work almost done, maybe announced late this year - all electrics are now possible with the pantograph so many possibilities - NH County cars - waiting for a production slot, watch newsletters for order deadline - future comet car variations - by more now, makes other variations possible - CP D10 - waiting for second samples with some tooling updates, video maybe by end of April - B100 roof being retooled, looking for good quality photos of the roof - Jason 1:1 VIA car in his basement features in current Model Railroader - passenger cars, deluxe version with passengers - unlikely, would be very, very expensive to do (tooling people, painting them, inserting them much labor involved) - Matt Gentry has a product review session coming up - F59PH update - Metrolink Ph2 now okay, the 2 other paint schemes still lack sufficient orders as does TRE. - F59PH update - production starts maybe mid-year - Rapido helped the Texas restoration of the PA, they were asked if the FPA-4 roof was the same, Rapido checked their scan data and confirmed it railfan.com/new-roof-will-push-santa-fe-pa-restoration-forward/- CN H6 - still taking orders, still not quite sufficient orders yet. - Icons of Steam - Bill would still like to do it... might need to be one at a time going forward - Icons of Steam - CP H1 a/b next after D10 - Bill would like to do some US steam - AC4400/SD70ACe - April 1st announcement in N, HO, S, O, and G - each project manager has about 4 to 6 unannounced projects being worked on - busy spring for new tooled announcements - March / April / May - new project suggestion form going live on website Friday, based on Rapido UK form(*) - Jordan wants more SP boxcar drawings, particularly for 1980 in Fullerton. - Matt took over the trailers, update soon - next newsletter in about a week.
* - can see the Rapido UK form here, my personal feeling it that it is designed to discourage feedback given the amount of data they expect to be provided.
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Post by lars on Mar 3, 2021 18:16:03 GMT -8
* - can see the Rapido UK form here, my personal feeling it that it is designed to discourage feedback given the amount of data they expect to be provided.
Feels that way, doesn't it? Athearn's suggestion page (and from what they've said on Train Tuesdays) seems more like they're trying to get a feel for what's being requested the most. I wouldn't mind filling out the Rapido form that much, but I do wonder how much time they will actually spend reading the responses they get. And if anybody requests an Ingalls, please copy the answers you filled in the form and share.
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Post by The Ferro Kid on Mar 3, 2021 18:24:01 GMT -8
Looks like somebody was asking about the possibility of BC Rail M420s. Has anybody received their first-run M420s yet? Thanks!
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Post by lvrr325 on Mar 3, 2021 22:26:36 GMT -8
First run M420s have come and mostly gone so people should have them.
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Post by mdvle on Mar 4, 2021 14:44:17 GMT -8
Looks like somebody was asking about the possibility of BC Rail M420s. Has anybody received their first-run M420s yet? Thanks!
At least 5 videos posted to YouTube, and Rapido are sold out of all but one sound version according to their website (with all the others listed as check retailers) - the Rapido Twitter account indicates they arrived at Rapido on February 5th and shipped out the following week.
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Post by ambluco on Mar 4, 2021 15:17:29 GMT -8
I got all mine.
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Post by The Ferro Kid on Mar 5, 2021 9:41:42 GMT -8
Thanks everyone! My three are on their way as of late yesterday. Guess I was at the end of the queue. Looking forward to these.
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Post by markfj on Mar 6, 2021 18:04:17 GMT -8
Just watched Rapido’s video on the GLa; very impressive model! Rapido HO Scale GLa HoppersHope this model sells well and they make a later Pennsy hopper, say an H35 or H43. Thanks, Mark
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Post by stevewagner on Mar 6, 2021 18:38:07 GMT -8
Beautiful model, very good video.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 6, 2021 20:13:07 GMT -8
Those are beautiful models. I'd suggest using one size smaller wire for the grabs. That appears to be about all that keeps these from perfection. VERY VERY GOOD! I am not seeing these traveling to the PNW, so I may still pass on these excellent models.
I do not understand how Rapido can get the point of using wire grabs on their freight cars, but not on their diesels. Hideous cast plastic grabs on the FA-2's. And apparently the same coming up on the E's.
Ed
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Post by 12bridge on Mar 6, 2021 21:16:43 GMT -8
Those are beautiful models. I'd suggest using one size smaller wire for the grabs. That appears to be about all that keeps these from perfection. VERY VERY GOOD! I am not seeing these traveling to the PNW, so I may still pass on these excellent models. I do not understand how Rapido can get the point of using wire grabs on their freight cars, but not on their diesels. Hideous cast plastic grabs on the FA-2's. And apparently the same coming up on the E's. Ed That is a pretty damn good looking car. Rapido seems to do pretty good with the freight cars, but could defiantly spend a little more time on the locomotives. Wire size & Rapido is a head scratcher to me, at least with the locomotives. They use a larger wire size on the end handrails, vs. the ones on the sides. This was on the SW1200RS's, SW1200's (according to photos on the website), and now M420's - whereas the B36-7's and RS11's were consistent front and side.
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Post by lvrr325 on Mar 6, 2021 22:52:12 GMT -8
The trade-off is durability in handling.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 7, 2021 6:23:07 GMT -8
There's a whole bunch of Operator-Trainman-Mainline-Roundhouse locomotives and rolling stock that are made for those seeking durability. And it sells. It's about all Walthers makes these days.
Those of us seeking Tangent-Moloco-Genesis-Rivet Counter are more interested in scale fidelity. And we're pretty good at knowing how to pick same up.
If Rapido wants to produce Trainline locomotives, they should go for it.
Ed
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Post by mdvle on Mar 7, 2021 7:06:13 GMT -8
They have also posted a recording of their March 3rd Q&A session on their YouTube channel for those who don't use FaceBook
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Post by mdvle on Mar 7, 2021 7:48:53 GMT -8
I do not understand how Rapido can get the point of using wire grabs on their freight cars, but not on their diesels. Hideous cast plastic grabs on the FA-2's. And apparently the same coming up on the E's.
So, this could be entirely wrong, but I think one of the manufacturers explained it like this.
We don't want the grab irons just "disappearing" into the side - we want to see some sort of recreation of the mounting hardware.
This means recreating the mounting hardware on the body (and use wire grabs), or use plastic grabs with the mounting hardware as part of the grab itself.
For a freight car this is easy - simply put the mounting hardware into the body tooling and use wire grabs - easy, because most freight cars were reasonably standard.
A diesel is a different problem - they had differences in location for their grab irons (note for Rapido and the E8 "Numerous grab iron configurations"). This means that the grab iron hardware can't be done as part of the body tooling, so the choice becomes plastic grab irons with the mounting stuff modeled or wire grabs that magically disappear into the body.
It is open to disagreement as to which is the better solution.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 7, 2021 12:37:50 GMT -8
That is, indeed, the explanation I recall, though the part about making sure the parts were overly large so we could see them was left out, I think. By that reasoning, the Rapido freight cars should also have too large grabs all over them. It's definitely not too late for the GLa hoppers!
But.
I think a big too-large grab iron is a lot more obvious than two missing bolt heads. It's certainly physically larger. And hard to miss/ignore. And it's right on the front of the train, for all to not-ignore.
Yes. There could be people who would prefer a big fat cast grab iron with bolt heads included.
I'll note that those little bolt heads could be separately added to the model at the factory, just above the newly installed wire grabs. I've never done that. Perhaps someone who has could give a time estimate. Until someone pipes up, I'll go with 15 seconds for each placement, plus a minute for setup and a minute for "difficulties". That's five minutes. To do it right.
I will also note that Rapido has not been exactly diligent on getting all the variations of grab iron placement, anyway. They got them wrong on the SP&S FA-2, apparently thinking matching a different road's layout would prove adequate. So their "numerous grab iron configurations" kinda shrinks when that happens.
Ed
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Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 7, 2021 13:01:09 GMT -8
I went to the Youtube video, as kindly supplied by mdvle. Very interesting.
It was an hour and twenty minutes long. And quite pleasant, if you have the time. There was very little new information there: here's our wonderful new products, we may or may not make whatever it is you keep asking for. Not much else, and certainly nothing I didn't already know.
There was no negativity. Nobody, as far as I could tell, wrote in about how "you guys really screwed up and you should have known better". There was a good bit of jocularity, which is quite pleasant.
I did notice that their product interest/passion radiates outwards, geographically.. It mostly starts in eastern Canada, and then goes south into the US and fades partways down. Not much else, except Jordan seems quite fond of SP, in southern California. I think there's some interest in BC rail, but it doesn't drift over the border. I saw no evidence of it over the hour and twenty minutes.
They did talk a bit about the E's. No mention of correcting the mistakes on the UP E's that I told them about on January 31. But there's still plenty of time.
I did notice they pointed out how they got the special classification lights on the rear of the PRR E's, though. Shows again where their interests lie.
Ed
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Post by elfan on Mar 8, 2021 10:56:44 GMT -8
They seem to produce models that appeal to the staff personally, which is fine. Now we need to have an Erie/EL modeler infiltrate their ranks!
Tom
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Post by fr8kar on Mar 8, 2021 11:22:53 GMT -8
They seem to produce models that appeal to the staff personally, which is fine. Now we need to have an Erie/EL modeler infiltrate their ranks! Tom I think this is important. Many of us are knowledgeable about many topics, but only passionate and thoroughly knowledgeable about a few things. I'd rather see limited products developed and executed at a high level than mediocre products that miss entirely or products with good bones that miss because the project lead doesn't know the prototype.
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