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Post by riogrande on May 28, 2021 9:12:25 GMT -8
Looks like the Rapdio SW1200's are coming in stock. Does anyone know if the tread plate was updated from the earlier info?
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Post by mdvle on May 28, 2021 11:41:02 GMT -8
From Rapido's Twitter account, the first batch of SW1200's have arrived and are being shipped.
This batch includes SP, Rio Grande, Milwaukee Road, New Haven, Pennsy and Great Northern.
All other paint schemes and undecorateds are expected in July.
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 28, 2021 12:20:56 GMT -8
My shop called yesterday to say my GN SW1200 was there, looking forward to its new home and friends.
Ed
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Post by gevohogger on May 28, 2021 12:50:15 GMT -8
Looks like the Rapdio SW1200's are coming in stock. Does anyone know if the tread plate was updated from the earlier info? Was the earlier info in need of updating? |
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Post by riogrande on May 28, 2021 12:55:59 GMT -8
Looks like the Rapdio SW1200's are coming in stock. Does anyone know if the tread plate was updated from the earlier info? Was the earlier info in need of updating? Some were concerned about the tread plating in previous switchers and possibly this one. Perhaps those who were watching that can comment. |
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Post by ambluco on May 28, 2021 12:59:13 GMT -8
Not fixed.
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Post by riogrande on May 28, 2021 14:27:19 GMT -8
You've seen the delivery units?
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Post by ambluco on May 28, 2021 15:35:10 GMT -8
MILW
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Post by 12bridge on May 28, 2021 17:12:25 GMT -8
On the ones I have seen so far:
The exhaust stacks look, and fit like total crap.
The Tread plate (and front etched grill), once again, is horrible photo etch that's way oversized (and not really the correct pattern). They must have refined the top ones, it looks decent from the test photos.
The GTW ones they have posted photos of are missing a grab (that's visible in...oh, every photo of them)
The GTW ones have the horn in the wrong spot
The paint on the handrails (SP version posted on FB) is really, really bad.
After comparing them to ours at work, the front cab windows look very narrow.
Good from far (and thats a stretch), but far from good. Outside of some flashy details, these are no way any better then the Protos.
I just don't get it. Rapido is more then capable of putting out an amazing product. But more often then not they will get something to 80%, and push it out the door. FL9? Fantastic engine. No complaints there at all. These? Very disappointed. Glad I only have one on order, and only because it would be a chore to do a GTW one otherwise.
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Post by sd80mac on May 28, 2021 17:24:50 GMT -8
This is disappointing news. I have 3 GTWs on order. Part of me is wondering if I should just cancel them, but like 12bridge said, they're probably the closest thing to a correct GTW SW1200 we'll ever see, so I'm going to at least keep them for a bit and evaluate them in person.
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Post by lars on May 28, 2021 17:32:44 GMT -8
On the ones I have seen so far: The exhaust stacks look, and fit like total crap. The Tread plate (and front etched grill), once again, is horrible photo etch that's way oversized. They must have refined the top ones, it looks decent from the test photos. The GTW ones they have posted photos of are missing a grab (that's visible in...oh, every photo of them) The GTW ones have the horn in the wrong spot The paint on the handrails (SP version posted on FB) is really, really bad. After comparing them to ours at work, the front cab windows look very narrow. Good from far (and thats a stretch), but far from good. Outside of some flashy details, these are no way any better then the Protos. I just don't get it. Rapido is more then capable of putting out an amazing product. But more often then not they will get something to 80%, and push it out the door. FL9? Fantastic engine. No complaints there at all. These? Very disappointed. Glad I only have one on order, and only because it would be a chore to do a GTW one otherwise. I’m not attempting to get into the collective mind of Rapido, but my guess is 95% of the modeling public will overlook those issues and be drawn to the flash and operating features they’re known for. |
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Post by 12bridge on May 28, 2021 17:44:40 GMT -8
Yup, unfortunately you are correct.
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 28, 2021 20:11:57 GMT -8
I’m not attempting to get into the collective mind of Rapido, but my guess is 95% of the modeling public will overlook those issues and be drawn to the flash and operating features they’re known for. But that is hardly an excuse for making those mistakes. "Hey, I just made a mistake on the SW1200. But let's do it anyway, because 95% won't care." And yet it looks like that's what happened. Years ago (I think) I commented on the poor fit of the stacks. "95% don't care--don't fix it." I can only imagine their fix for the radiator fan shroud on the RS-11. I'll be ordering three, anyway, because I have a milling machine; and I can take those shrouds down with exquisite precision. Touching up the paint, maybe not so much. What happens when you ask about these mistakes on the Rapido facebook event? Ed |
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Post by schroed2 on May 28, 2021 23:16:03 GMT -8
The problem is more likely, that the efforts for fixing these things for <5% of the customers costs more then the benefits (of selling more to <5% of the customers...). The noise we are likely to make gets drowned by the buzzing of the >95% who want more and more and more...especially on FB.
Now, somewhere (tm) I have some 20+ year old resin kits (PointOne ?) for SW1200RS, that might be useful for upgrading my GTW units to my satisfaction...actually, that is MY favorite part of the hobby
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Post by schroed2 on May 28, 2021 23:28:44 GMT -8
But more often then not they will get something to 80%, and push it out the door. From my work experience in the real world railroad equipment industry, there is the thinking (based on experience) that the first 80% of the work make up for 20% of the total cost, while the last 20% of the work make up for 80% of the total cost (and yes, I have been involved in "last 20%" work activities for 25+ years...). If nobody from the customer side (which includes the authorities involved) is pushing hard for the last 20%, then the company can save a lot of money by making compromises. In this case here, it comes down to <5% of the customers who care about the last 20% (or you have somebody on the "inside", who wants the last 20% AND has enough weight for the company to spend the money...) |
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Post by lars on May 29, 2021 3:19:17 GMT -8
But more often then not they will get something to 80%, and push it out the door. From my work experience in the real world railroad equipment industry, there is the thinking (based on experience) that the first 80% of the work make up for 20% of the total cost, while the last 20% of the work make up for 80% of the total cost (and yes, I have been involved in "last 20%" work activities for 25+ years...). If nobody from the customer side (which includes the authorities involved) is pushing hard for the last 20%, then the company can save a lot of money by making compromises. In this case here, it comes down to <5% of the customers who care about the last 20% (or you have somebody on the "inside", who wants the last 20% AND has enough weight for the company to spend the money...) That concept is known as the Pareto principle. The other way to look at it from a sales side is that 20% of your customers make for 80% of your revenue, or 20% of your customers make for 80% of your problems. The PSR guys seem pretty good at following the adhering to the principles of Pareto. |
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Post by riogrande on May 29, 2021 4:18:26 GMT -8
So in recent times for SW1200 we have Rapido and Walthers. Which seems to be the best option?
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Post by markfj on May 29, 2021 4:32:09 GMT -8
This might be a case where it is worth the risk of not getting one and wait for the price to fall in the secondary market (e.g. HOswap, eBay, trainshows, etc.). All the points about being in the <5% and the Pareto principle seem very valid, so it is a safe bet that Rapido won’t invest more money to fix those issues that the <5% crowd have with the model. Anyone remember the CSX b36-7 stepwell conversations and Jason’s reply?
I also think there is a psychological effect that gives great satisfaction when you get a “deal” on an item even if you believe it is not 100% perfect or it doesn’t meet your quality standards. For example: I want a Rapido RS-11, I know it has issues, and I know I can live with those issues if I get one at my price point (i.e. what I think is a good deal).
Thanks, Mark
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Post by schroed2 on May 29, 2021 5:15:30 GMT -8
So in recent times for SW1200 we have Rapido and Walthers. Which seems to be the best option? If you need a version with a lot of special features, the Rapido might have advantages (or not...the details on the SP look a bit strange to me). OTH, the last run from Walthers Proto also had the flexicoil trucks and frame-mounted handrails available... I will take my two Rapido in GTW that I have on order, then think this over again...and wait with further orders Now, if anybody here has a Walthers Proto in Illinois Terminal that needs a new home, feel free to conatct me by PM  |
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Post by riogrande on May 29, 2021 5:28:59 GMT -8
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Post by markfj on May 29, 2021 6:03:48 GMT -8
EMD sales executive: “We do offer custom lighting arrangements.” SP purchasing agent: “YESSSSS” |
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Post by lars on May 29, 2021 7:00:15 GMT -8
So in recent times for SW1200 we have Rapido and Walthers. Which seems to be the best option? If you need a version with a lot of special features, the Rapido might have advantages (or not...the details on the SP look a bit strange to me). OTH, the last run from Walthers Proto also had the flexicoil trucks and frame-mounted handrails available... I will take my two Rapido in GTW that I have on order, then think this over again...and wait with further orders Now, if anybody here has a Walthers Proto in Illinois Terminal that needs a new home, feel free to conatct me by PM What’s the drive on the Proto units? There are some comments here on above average failure rates on SW1200RS motors, but I imagine Rapido has at least attempted to address the issue for this run. I get the perception that Rapido products have been less reliable than other brands, and there are certainly some examples on this board. However i don’t know if there’s a way we could collectively determine industry average failure rates. |
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Post by 12bridge on May 29, 2021 7:53:32 GMT -8
The Proto drive is fantastic.
The Rapdio SW drive now.. I have 3 of them personally, and all 3 have needed to be taken apart several times due to pickup issues that even a keep alive would not help. A customers had to have the board changed due to LED failures. Not heard of motor issues on the SW's though.
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Post by schroed2 on May 29, 2021 10:50:31 GMT -8
What’s the drive on the Proto units? let me put it that way: I put Kato NW2 shells on the old Proto drives (ok, mainly because of a lot less pain when converting to DCC)...so there is nothing to complain about IMHO (and the new units are even better) |
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Post by edwardsutorik on May 29, 2021 20:14:19 GMT -8
So here's a photo of the Rapido GN SW1200: rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/diesel-locomotives/ho-scale-sw1200-great-northern-30-gnrhs-custom-0See that striping? Does it look yellow? Sure does to me. Unfortunately, the color should be imitation gold. What is hilariously funny is that the GNRHS put their name on this. I am SO regretting I didn't buy a Walthers instead. After that absolute mess with the colors on the SP&S FA-2's, I thought Rapido was chastened. Embarrassed. I thought they'd REALLY try hard to get the colors right on following models. Nope. Not chastened. Not embarrassed. Apparently, not really caring at all. Luckily for them, they don't read this forum, so their feelings are spared. So nice for them. I am SERIOUSLY wondering what they can screw up with my RS-11's and UP E units. And whether I should just not bother. Ed |
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Post by csxt8400 on May 30, 2021 0:14:03 GMT -8
That is... bad.
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Post by cemr5396 on May 30, 2021 1:05:10 GMT -8
This is like the LV RS11s all over again. If the GN historical people looked at the model and said "yup, this is good, go right ahead", who is Rapido to tell these people they are wrong? They are supposedly the 'experts' after all. Do you really think any of the guys over at Rapido know enough about the GN to catch this kind of stuff? Maybe they had some photos to look at but we all know how reliable those can be...... In the end a model like this can only be as good as the research material provided for it. This is not the same as when they are making something for CN or VIA and it just so happens that the CEO is one of the worlds' leading experts on the stuff.
If the GN fans want someone to yell at, go yell at your historical society for putting their stamp of approval on something you feel is below standard.
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Post by lars on May 30, 2021 4:52:55 GMT -8
After that absolute mess with the colors on the SP&S FA-2's, I thought Rapido was chastened. Embarrassed. I thought they'd REALLY try hard to get the colors right on following models. How did the FA-2’s turn out? How far from SP&S and how close to CNW are the colors. |
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Post by westerntrains on May 30, 2021 5:23:15 GMT -8
Im starting to lose my warm and fuzzy feeling about the SP PA's.
I have said this before and got hammered, but Rapido needs to stop with the dumb a** videos and silly clown acts, and get serious about quality control and deliver a quality product. For the prices of the models, this is not too much to ask.
Whose quality control and research is worse, Athearn or Rapido.
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Post by mdvle on May 30, 2021 5:25:59 GMT -8
This is not the same as when they are making something for CN or VIA and it just so happens that the CEO is one of the worlds' leading experts on the stuff.
Even some of the VIA stuff in the past hasn't been entirely accurate in terms of paint / pad printing colour accuracy.
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