A Prototype Comparison - Rapido SW1200's - Photo Heavy
Sept 12, 2021 9:06:12 GMT -8
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grabirons, nwp0ncrr, and 1 more like this
Post by Partial_List on Sept 12, 2021 9:06:12 GMT -8
The Dash 8 was a failed budget line, so the detail concessions were understood. The sideframes are pretty basic and shallow, some BCOL details were omitted in favor of CN, and the shells were a mix of paint and colored plastic. They apparently served as practice for improvements made to the N version.
The F40PH models are great. Annoyingly, they tooled radiused cutouts in the plow, but those should be squared off rectangles to match the doors. Careful trimming with an Xacto is needed to clean them up. The only other obvious issue is that they removed the "Greatest American Hero" soundtrack clip from all Amtrak releases subsequent to the initial offering. Without busting out a micrometer, it is easily the best F40PH ever made. Kato gave it a try and the results were less than stellar. Brass versions are pretty horrid, along with every previous attempt in plastic.
Not too many shots of the CSX modifications on the latest F40PH release, but I would guess that perhaps finer detail corners were cut to focus on the bigger stuff (like the extended fuel tank). We'll have to see, but we know stepwells will not be an issue.
Rapido Trains has been the leading manufacturer in subpar prototypical research, oversized grab irons, problematic motors as well as blatant paint/detail mistakes while consistently increasing prices.
With that being said, they would be much better suited for the O Scale market and leaving HO scale to the professionals…
