Hi gang!
The club is considering using the new Rapido switch machines as opposed to Tortoises on our new layout. Also, Rapido has come out with an uncoupler with an interesting feature. Does anyone have any experience with either of them?
For those of you not familiar with them, here is a video showing how they work. The switch machine comes after the uncoupler:
https://rapidotrains.com/switch-machine-with-operating-switchstand/
To start the discussion, apparently Radido had some problems with the first issue of the switch machines and they have made several improvements to the design. If anyone bought the first series and they are having trouble perhaps you should contact Rapido if you haven't already.
As usual, Jason's video includes some humour. The train scene is filmed in his basement. Yes, he has a section of a real VIA passenger coach IN his basement! Amazing what you can do with a shaky camera and two clowns!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Radido also offers foam road bed which they claim is very quiet. Has anyone used it?
https://rapidotrains.com/noise-killer-roadbed/
Hi there. Our local hobby shop has a demo track with the Rapido uncoupler. It works very well, from what I have seen. I installed a kadee electromagnetic one on my layout. It works OK, but if I were to start over, I would go with the Rapido.
Simon
Thanks Simon!
I have installed one of the uncouplers and am attempting to give it a good test here soon. My early thoughts are:
1 It is noisy (I should say loud)
2. Good strong magnet
3. Works fine.
At this point, I would say that although the uncoupler works, it seems (to me) that the price is a little high for an uncoupler. Just my couple of shillings.
Old Fat Robert
Thanks O. F. Robert,
I'm not sure that the noise level would be an issue in the club's layout room. Things tend to get noisy in there anyhow. I have to crank the volume on my sound decoders as high as I can while still sounding clear in order to hear them on the layout.
Please do keep us informed about the performance once you have tested it.
Thanks,
I too noticed they have had to reqork the switch motors. That's not a good sign, but at the same time, knowing Rapido, they will make it right.
On the other hand, I am a very convinced convert to servo motors. Even when figuring int he electronics, they are far less expensive than Tortoises and the like. Especially in a club setting where instead of buying someone's relatively expensive mounting system, you can set a couple of people up to mass produce a home made one that works just as well. And there is the added advantage tha tthey are SMALL, so chances of interfering with benchwork are reduced. And if anyone in the club is the least bit handy with electronics, they can follow Geoff Bunza's article and build a controller that runs 12 servos with pushbuttons or toggle switches for about $1 per turnout (not counting the servo - servo, mount, and a lever switch to toggle frog polarity will run about $5).
The Rapido roadbed looks similar to Woodland Scenics. I used that with good results on my previous layout. Remember I do not nail my track, nor do I handlay, so the whole "squishyness" issue does not affect me. I glued it to the insulation foam with caulk, and caulked the track on top of it. I don't know how well it would work on plywood - and Rapido even says it's really designed to go over extruded foam rather than plywood. The relative density differences between their roadbed and plywood may not be optimal for noise reduction, as compared to the difference between the roadbed and foam. Having the roadbed in long continuous runs I see as only a huge advantage - the fewer joints, the smoother the roadbed, and the smoother the roadbed, the smoother the track. Homasote or other material in a spline configuration, you are limited to 8 foot lengths. Homasote or other sheet goods cut out cookie cutter style, likewise. Cork and the pre-milled homasote products are typically in 3' or shorter lengths.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks Randy,
I hadn't considered using servos. Interesting suggestion. I'll have to do some more reading.
Ummm... did anybody but me notice THE SWITCH STANDS ARE AVAILABLE SEPARATELY? If the cam is included, then one could have switch stands with moving targets VERY easily, even if you don't use their switch machines.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
Bayfield Transfer Railwaydid anybody but me notice THE SWITCH STANDS ARE AVAILABLE SEPARATELY?
Yes, I saw that. Our initial interest in the Rapido switch machines was partly because they don't hang down below the sub roadbed. That means that we don't have to position benchwork cross members to avoid the switch motors. It's also nice that they are half the price and provide the same control options.
We had a layout committee meeting tonight. There was some discussion about what if we have to replace the Rapido switch motors eventually. We decided to locate the cross members so that Tortoises can be installed anyhow, just in case we ever have to. One member made an interesting suggestion that we drill the holes under the throwbars for the Tortoise levers before installing the turnouts, even if we are not installing Tortoises right now. That saves us from having to lift the turnout to drill the hole for the lever down the road.
Well it's not totally true that the Rapido machines don;t hang down. The get embedded in the subroadbed, if you are using thick foam then they would be entirely inside, but they will hang down a bit from plywood - so you can't just install one over a joist. If done ahead of time, it appears you can install them from the top - after going through that 2 layouts ago to top mount Tortoises in foam (they don;t stick down much below if you do that), I think I'll pass - even though my next layout will not use foam for other than scenery forms. It was an idea I found on a Freemo group's web page, and while it wasn't particularly difficult (router attachment on the Dremel and shop vac hose held CLOSE - routing extruded foam is messy), I subsequently discovered that caulk would hold a Tortoise securely to the bottom of the foam and having the actuating rod go through 2" of foam was no problem at all. In fact on my last layout, the actuating rod from the servos went through 1/2" plywood and FOUR inches of foam, plus cork roadbed, with no problems.
The hole at the throwbar is needed for Tortoises, the Rapido, and servos all, so good idea drilling those as the turnouts are installed.
And 9G servos are TINY, if worried about interference. Ironic the first time I had an issue with a crossmember in the way was with the servos...
rrinkerWell it's not totally true that the Rapido machines don;t hang down.
Yes, I recognize that, but when we put down 3/4" of plywood and 1/2" of Homasote the Rapido switch shouldn't hang down below that by much. As I mentioned, we are going to locate the crossmembers so they won't interfere with the switch machines regardless of brand.