the new transit bus is out now and is available with interior lighting.It is a 9 or 12 volt dc system does anyone know how it will work? by battery?
There's more info on their bus HERE, and if you scroll far enough down the page, you'll see that it requires a 12 volt DC power supply, not included with the bus. An old trainset-type power pack, readily available at low cost, should do the trick.
Wayne
Rapido's work on the Candian versions is beautiful!
I'm especially looking forward to the NYC MTA versions as they bring back many childhood memories! To me, the early 1970's two-tone blue was their most attractive paint scheme:
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I saw one of the buses was lettered for Los Angeles's LAMTA colors.
I might get one, we'll see...
A few thoughts:
First it is a shame that they could not get GM to talk to them about the Emblems/branding.
Second, I could be wrong, and I'm not a price complainer, but $50 for bus to sit on a street scene? - not me, even if I did model that era........the $25 or so I have spend for a few other HO vehicles is high enough.
Again, I'm not questioning the cost to produce it, or its detail level, or its quality, or suggesting Rapido is over charging. I'm just saying it is beyond what I will pay for that kind of layout accessory.
I really like Rapido, I just wish they would make something I want, at a price I might pay.
So far the closest they have gotten is the RDC, also a bit pricey in my mind. Admittedly, had they come out before I was invested in other models of RDC's, the price might not have been a big factor. But I'm just not one for selling off my old stuff to spend more on new stuff......
Sheldon
This looks like the first run of the GM Bus, and first runs are always expensive.
But if you look around, you might be able to get one for a much lower price.
Just sayin...
ATSFGuy This looks like the first run of the GM Bus, and first runs are always expensive. But if you look around, you might be able to get one for a much lower price. Just sayin...
First, yes there will be some discount pricing - but you are completely missinformed if you think anything in this hobby gets less expensive because of "later runs".
Much of the really low pricing you see on Ebay or at train shows is simply because under funded dealers NEED to get their money out of stuff. They are breaking even or loosing money.
The Rapido bus cost "X" to produce, Rapido needs to make X plus a reasonable profit - that is the cheapest price at which they will leave Rapidos building.....
Dealers need to make a profit on top of that, so X, plus Rapidos profit, plus the dealer profit percentage sets the retail price. If some dealers choose to discount and make less, good for them.
But again, unless Rapido, or a specific dealer, needs to liquidate that inventory, the price will be the price.
This hobby is not big enough to scale manufacturing in a way to get prices really low - I know and accept that.
AND, I might be dead wrong, there might be a strong market for New Look buses at $50 and $70 for the deluxe version.
But since I model 1953, I'm not tempted at any price. And I know more about the New Look bus then most people. In the 1980's I sold MATCO TOOLS to the mechanics that worked on them here at the Baltimore MTA.
Rapidos New Look bus appears to be an exceptional model - but personally I do not need that level of detail (interior, underframe, etc) for a scenic feature most likely viewed from several feet away.
PS - what the New Look bus really needs is passengers if you are really going to look that close.........
In my youth I recall the tinkle of the coins that were fed into the fare boxes of those buses. The giant throttle pedal. Pulling the cord to signal the driver. Many happy trips home from school and even happier one's headed downtown on a Saturday.
I'm looking forward to having a Rapido New Look bus in my street scene. Planning on having a manhole at the bus stop to feed the lighting wires thru, when the bus isn't in the scene, then on goes the manhole cover.
Regards, Peter
ATLANTIC CENTRAL...what the New Look bus really needs is passengers if you are really going to look that close.......
Good point, Sheldon, and they'll need to be well-painted, too, so as not to detract from what looks to be an exquisite model.
It's too modern for my layout, but I've got Jordan's Model A version...
...with passengers (and apparently hand-controls)...
Luckily, the bus isn't crowded, as there appear to be few potential standees among my transit-riding public.
I also have Jordan's more modern Ford Transit (Crackerbox) bus...
...also with passengers...
...who've not lost limbs to railway mishaps.
Great looking models as always Wayne!
AntonioFP45 I'm especially looking forward to the NYC MTA versions as they bring back many childhood memories!
I'm especially looking forward to the NYC MTA versions as they bring back many childhood memories!
Hi Gamp,
The Green Bus Lines, along with Triborough Coach, Red & Tan, and a number of private bus companies in the NYC area featured some very attractive paint schemes!
Yes. Jason did post on one of the Yahoo forums, a while back, that there are plans to produce GM fishbowls in the early 1970's MTA scheme. Makes sense as the MTA's fleet was huge. I respectfully suggested to him that he considers #8854; the bus seen in the end credits of "Welcome Back Kotter" (this one): He seemed interested in the idea. My memory is foggy, but I think that the green NYCTA scheme will be an offering as well. Rapido will post updates in the future.
We have to keep in mind that Rapido invests a substantial amount of time and money in the process so there is an incentive to produce units in paint schemes that will sell.
Send him an email at Rapido Trains website. No guarantees of a quick response as they are overwhelmed but Rapido's staff encourages and reads customer suggestions and feedback.
AntonioFP45Send him an email at Rapido Trains website. No guarantees of a quick response as they are overwhelmed but Rapido's staff encourages and reads customer suggestions and feedback.
Good idea, Antonio.
I'm in for a CTS (Cleveland Transit System) which I believe is in the works:
CTS 641 by Montell305, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
Keep your fingers crossed, Rapido might do that scheme in the next run....
ATSFGuyKeep your fingers crossed, Rapido might do that scheme in the next run....
Rapido already answered my suggestion!
Subject: Ideas for products - New Look Bus Request: Cleveland Transit System Blue
9V or 12V will work fine.
TTC and some Montreal have arrived. The rest of the Montreal buses will be here in about four weeks. The balance will arrive at the end of February.
-Jason
Jason Shron - President - Rapido Trains Inc. - RapidoTrains.comMy HO scale Kingston Sub layout: Facebook.com/KingstonSub
Just a request...
Been reading good feedback regarding the new fishbowls! To for those of you that bought them, please post some photos!
Thanks
AntonioFP45for those of you that bought them, please post some photos!
Worth the wait IMO, just got mine today, hats off to Rapido, an excellent model with lots of opportunity for super detailing.
AntonioFP45 Rapido's work on the Candian versions is beautiful! I'm especially looking forward to the NYC MTA versions as they bring back many childhood memories! To me, the early 1970's two-tone blue was their most attractive paint scheme:
l wish they would do some of the private buses as well (Green Line Triboro etc) as I rode those as a kid more than the MTA buses.
Joe Staten Island West
Here's how mine looked, one minute after I started with the X-acto knife, five minutes before I finished, and twenty-four hours before the guy at the Rapido booth at the Amherst show told me the next release would have the standard rear doors instead of the wider bi-fold doors. I haven't messed with it since.
I have fond memories of those buses. My dad drove one for Bi State Development Agency in St Louis for his entire working life. I haven't seen one of the models in person yet, but the photos of the model look like a nearly perfect representation of the bus. I spent a lot of time riding those buses when I was boy.
I model 1955 so there will never be one on my layout, but I'm going to have to have one on the shelf to honor my father.
Jeff White
Alma, IL
JWhiteI'm going to have to have one on the shelf to honor my father.
Jeff, Hats off to your father, carefully navigating city traffic while being responsible for the safety of passengers makes bus driving a demanding job.
The New Look Bus comes in a nice display case. When my bus arrived yesterday I was a bit heavy handed with the razor knife when opening the cardboard box and inadvertently scratched the top of the display case.
A nice model but I have no fond memories of them. I used to let them go by and wait for a PCC trolley to come along.
Mark
Hi guys!
Instead of creating a new thread, I thought it'd be easier to piggyback off of this one.
Has there been any word on Rapido's next run of fishbowls? IIRC, it's USA schemed buses with the single stream (twin-leaf) rear exit doors.
I'm hoping for NYC 1960's (green) and 1970's (blue/purple) fishes!