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Gondolas

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Gondolas
Posted by dh28473 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:11 AM

Rapido or tangent? What do you preferr? I like them both Rapido is great for canadian roads but love them both.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:14 AM

dh28473

Rapido or tangent? What do you preferr? 

It probably depends on whether you are a Canadian rail fan or American rail fan primarily.

The answer is, it depends.  Both are high detail cars, but they represent different prototypes.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by dh28473 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:15 AM
Very true
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Posted by DSchmitt on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:17 AM

Why buy only buy one brand? The railroads don't.

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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Posted by cv_acr on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:21 AM

Both.

As mentioned they represent completely different cars owned by completely different railroads.

Though personally I have a whole bunch of Rapidos and no Tangents because I model a particular Canadian line that wouldn't see much if any US bridge traffic so seeing a whole bunch of American cars is less likely. Maybe I'll still get one or two good US gons just to throw in for variety.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:15 PM

Both, and maybe add one from Proto-2000 as well.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 1:04 PM

DSchmitt

Why buy only buy one brand? The railroads don't. 

That's not the issue here.  This topic was specifically about Rapido gondolas vs. Tangent gondolas.  The Rapido are Canadian gondolas which may have not roamed widely out in the western US.

Until recently, Rapido generally has focused on Canadian stuff, and some northeast US stuff.  So for a western person, not much there until very recently and those items aren't shipped yet.  The gondolas were basically Canadian and AFAIK, weren't traveling thru the Rockies that I can tell.

Now Rapido is starting to make models I am interested in so brand, again, has nothing to do with it.  For example, they will be offering Amtrak F40PH's that were used all over the US.  They will be offering an SP box car.  They will be offering a Evan's boxcar.  etc.

In general, I buy from whatever brands suite my needs.  I have gondolas from Athearn, Tangent, E&C shops, Walthers, ExactRail and Intermountain, from memory.

Aren't the Rapido gondolas long sold out?

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 2:42 PM

dh28473
Rapido or tangent? What do you preferr? ...

Both are very nicely done, but both are also too modern for my layout...that's probably a good thing, as I already have over 6 dozen gondolas.

I recall reading that, other than for coal-hauling railroads, gondolas were the second-most cars purchased by railroads, with boxcars being the most common.

Wayne

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Posted by cats think well of me on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:29 PM

Depends on your prototype, what you're looking to model, all that. I've no Rapido gondolas but looking forward to other models from Rapido when they arrive state-side. I have three gondola models by Tangent and I love them, so much detail and all I've added is Laserkit wood decks, Sergent couplers, and Code88 wheels. The latter two are standards for nearly all my freight cars anyway. I have others by other brands which are great as well. If Rapido makes gondolas that work for my PRR collection I will absolutely buy those models.

Alvie

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Posted by PM Railfan on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:36 PM

SeeYou190

Both, and maybe add one from Proto-2000 as well.

-Kevin

 

Theres your only answer.

PMR

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