Rapido to make HO scale Chevs!

[Railphotog]

https://rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/model-vehicles/ho-scale-chevrolet-caprice-impala

 

 

[azrail]

Bring out the mid-60s Impala next! Or the 67-72 C/K pickups (including the Blazer)!

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

Interesting but way to new for my layout.

Sheldon

[Fritzi]

Agreed.  It seems in the last few years HO scale vehicles for the 1920's and 1930's have dried up.  

[chutton01]

Fritzi

Agreed.  It seems in the last few years HO scale vehicles for the 1920's and 1930's have dried up.  

I have sort of the opposite issue, as I model near contemporary times, so a pre-1990 Chevy Impala would be 30 years or so old for my module, so not that common - and since I already have a CMW 1978  Impala (weathered and rusted a bit around the edges, with a bumper sticker or two) that's good enough for me.
Note, I checked and the Chevy Impala went Jelly Bean aero design in the 1990 model year, and the Chevy Caprice went Jelly Bean in the1991 model year, so those filling auto-racks (I don't think there were that many open top racks by 1990 anwyay, let alone ones without side panel protection) or car dealships might want to keep that mind, and opt for the Busch Caprice instead...

[hon30critter]

Hey!

I had a 1977 Caprice 2 door. It served us well for many years. Then one day I was replacing the rear shocks (when I could still do such things) and the wrench slipped off of the lower mounting bolts. No big deal, except that the wrench went right through the adjacent frame member! It left a gaping hole! There was practically nothing left of the rear frame members. Imagine if we had been rear ended!!! It went to the scrap yard a few days later.

My bad!

Dave

[FRRYKid]

Unfortunately, those are a hair too new for me as well. I'd need late 60s to 1979 for my era..

[PC101]

FRRYKid

Unfortunately, those are a hair too new for me as well. I'd need late 60s to 1979 for my era..

 

Give them time, they have to start somewhere. Then fill in the holes.

[riogrande5761]

FRRYKid

Unfortunately, those are a hair too new for me as well. I'd need late 60s to 1979 for my era.. 

I'm reading that these were first produced in 1979 and likely on the rails then.  You know how a model year usually lags behind the actual taking to dealers, or at least it used to.

Add to that I'm reading that the bodies were same as some as early as 1977 and it's mainly the lights or end details that were updated as the model year went forward.  I model mainly 1977-1983 so I'm thinking these WILL work for me, even for 1979 on open auto racks.

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

riogrande5761

 

 

FRRYKid

Unfortunately, those are a hair too new for me as well. I'd need late 60s to 1979 for my era.. 

 

 

 

I'm reading that these were first produced in 1979 and likely on the rails then.  You know how a model year usually lags behind the actual taking to dealers, or at least it used to.

Add to that I'm reading that the bodies were same as some as early as 1977 and it's mainly the lights or end details that were updated as the model year went forward.  I model mainly 1977-1983 so I'm thinking these WILL work for me, even for 1979 on open auto racks.

 

That body style was introduced for the 77 model year, they appeared on dealer lots in September of 1976, and the basic body was used until the end of the 1990 models.

The same platform and core body was also used for various Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile models during those same years.

The economy was soft, the car companies were up against regulations they could not meet, so the cars changed very little in that time.

I had one version, a 1982 Buick LaSabre wagon.

I remember these cars very well.......

Sheldon

[HO-Velo]

Good news.  I've one of their New Look Buses on my layout and now looking forward to adding a couple of those Caprices.  Thanks, Peter

[gmpullman]

     "So, ya' got a permit to have that camera on railway property, eh?"

 

CN_Chevy_1979 by Edmund, on Flickr

Cheers, Ed

[josephbw]

Same here. I might get a couple anyway though.

Joe

[dti406]

The only problem is it would take $375 to fill just one Autorack. We need a better solution and more variety on Autoracks.

Rick Jesionowski

[maxman]

dti406

The only problem is it would take $375 to fill just one Autorack. We need a better solution

Closed autoracks.   Then it doesn't matter which year car it "carries".

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

maxman

 

 

dti406

The only problem is it would take $375 to fill just one Autorack. We need a better solution

 

 

Closed autoracks.   Then it doesn't matter which year car it "carries".

 

I model the early 50's, when most cars were still shipped in 50' box cars......

And I will have an auto assembly plant on the layout.

I do a have few of the experimental Evans 50' open 6 car racks, and they are fitted with inexpensive generic "Scenemaster" 50's sedans from LifeLike (now Walthers).

The effect is rather good, I will try to put up a photo.

Sheldon

[PC101]

Late '60s early '70s that is the market I'd be interested in shipping vehicals by rail. Loaded east, emptys west.

Having 20+ open auto racks, I have learned real quick to load more bi-levels (14) then tri-levels (5) in a train. It may take me a year (maybe three train shows and my two LHSs) to get a couple full loads of the same year make/model or a same year make but different models (8 to 15 on a bi-level and 15 to 18 on a tri-level). 

I am sure Rapido will market something later that will catch my eye.  

[BEAUSABRE]

azrail

mid-60s Impala

Yeah, we want Baby from Supernatural !

http://nerdist20.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Supernatural-Impala-1-11092015.jpg

And what are the Winchesters chasing on your layout....

 

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

BEAUSABRE

 

 

azrail

mid-60s Impala

 

 

Yeah, we want Baby from Supernatural !

http://nerdist20.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Supernatural-Impala-1-11092015.jpg

And what are the Winchesters chasing on your layout....

 

 

I owned that cars cousin, built on the same platform and sharing lots of body parts, I had a 1968 Pontiac Ventura 4 door sport sedan with the Firebird 400 cid engine.

Room for 8 and pass anything but a gas station......

Sheldon

[Pruitt]

At $25 a pop these are as overpriced as the rest of their stuff! None of their autos (or anything else) will be appearing on my layout, regardless of what they produce!

 

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

Pruitt

At $25 a pop these are as overpriced as the rest of their stuff! None of their autos (or anything else) will be appearing on my layout, regardless of what they produce!

 

 

Well, of course they are not really $25 because major retailers will have them at the usual discounts.

But yes, Rapido is very highly detailed, even when making a transit bus or a Chevy sedan, and they are priced accordingly.

They cater to a particular part of the market, it is what it is. 

I have some expensive high detail "RTR", but I have no need or desire for everything on the layout to be like that - some it seems do........

Sheldon

 

[riogrande5761]

Pruitt

At $25 a pop these are as overpriced as the rest of their stuff! None of their autos (or anything else) will be appearing on my layout, regardless of what they produce! 

 

Isn't your RR era 1940's?  I would say it's easy for you to reject these models as they are way out of you era.  Even if they were dirt cheap, they don't fit the 1940's.  This appears to be a straw man for you to knock over.

Your response is yet another latest item announced is too expensive complaint.  Isn't there supposed to be a thread where all the "too expensive" posts are supposed to go?  Anyway, people spend money on things that are important to them.  That is not you in this case.  /move along.

[Pruitt]

riogrande5761

Isn't your RR era 1940's?  I would say it's easy for you to reject these models as they are way out of you era.  Even if they were dirt cheap, they don't fit the 1940's.  This appears to be a straw man for you to knock over.

You should actually read a post before you decide to dump on it.

I said that none of their stuff, regardless of what they produce, will be appearing on my layout. That means from any era. Rapido's prices are 30 to 50% higher than most others'. I will not pay even the usual discount off $600 MSRP for a plastic Ten-wheeler, or the same off a $25 price for an automobile model. Or how about a $100 MSRP plastic caboose? Not when there are other very similar products out there for near half that cost (and less in some cases).

When their prices are more in line with other manufacturers' then I might reconsider. For now, Rapido seems to be fully immersed in the general marketing strategy that's infused all market segments to one extent or another - "If we set our prices above everyone else's, people will think we must be something really special and they'll buy our stuff!"

I have better things to waste my money on.

[Paul3]

Pruitt,
Here's recent Athearn vs. Rapido prices:

Locos:
Athearn Genesis WP FP7 w/Sound (ATHG19524): $329.98
Athearn Genesis 2.0 CR SD80MAC w/Sound (ATHG27344): $339.98
vs.
Rapido CN FP9 w/Sound (220571): $335.00
Rapido ATSF PA-1 w/Sound (023501): $335.00

Passenger Cars:
Athearn 77' coach (ATHG97128): $109.98
vs.
Rapido NH 8600 coach (017200): $109.95

Cabooses:
Athearn Genesis SAL ICC Caboose w/lights (ATHG78591): $109.99
vs.
Rapido CNJ Northeastern Caboose w/lights (144001): $99.98

Freight cars:
Athearn FGE 57' Mechanical Reefer w/Sound, SFLC #2574: $114.99
vs.
Rapido AT&SF RR-56 Mechanical Reefer + sound board: $74.90

Vehicles:
Athearn Ready-To-Roll 40' Fruehauf Z trailer: $30.98
vs.
Rapido 40' Fruehauf Exterior Post trailer: $29.95

Looks like Rapido's pricing is right in line with Athearn to me.

[riogrande5761]

Pruitt

You should actually read a post before you decide to dump on it.

Makes no difference.

It looks like Paul3 has set the record straight as he usually does!  

[Pruitt]

A lot of Athearn prices have also gone way out of bed.

Let's compare a few more prices in those same categories.

Locos:

BLI 2-8-0 Consolidation $459.99
vs.
Rapido 4-6-0 Ten-wheeler $599.95

BLI F7 A/B - $399.99
vs.
Rapido FP9A / F9B - $644.95

Passenger Cars:
Kato Superliner I coach: $87.00
vs.
BLI PRR P70 Coach: $89.99
vs.
Rapido NH 8600 coach (017200): $109.95

Cabooses:
Rapido CNJ Northeastern Caboose w/lights (144001): $99.95
vs.
Intermountain NE-5 Caboose - New Haven (Early 1950s Scheme, red): 49.95

Freight Cars:
Rapido AT&SF RR-56 Mechanical Reefer $59.95
vs.
Intermountain R-70-25: $39.95

Vehicles:
Rapido Chevy Caprice: $24.95
vs.
Classic Metal Works Buic Estate Wagon: $16.99

Looks like Rapido's pricing is out of line with other manufacturers to me (some categories worse than others).

[Pruitt]

riogrande5761

Pruitt

You should actually read a post before you decide to dump on it.

 Makes no difference.

It looks like Paul3 has set the record straight as he usually does!  

It doesn't make any difference whether you actually read something before you make a fool of yourself by making nonsensical comments on it? Interesting...

As far as Paul3's record straightening - sure he did. See my reply to his comments for more setting the record "straight."

 

[HO-Velo]

I'm glad for the array of choices we have in models today.  The Rapido Caprice spans a few decades and can be very plausible in a contemporary scene.  There's one in my neighborhood now, a station wagon, looks good and runs.  In old town there's a 59' Plymouth Fury parked on the street, considering the thick protective layer of dirt I doubt it runs.  But both of those cars make me smile every time I see em. 

As a wrecker driver in 1976 there were still plenty of 50s vehicles plying the roads.  One evening I was treated to towing a 48' Hudson that belonged to an older couple, their love for the car was apparent and was still their main ride.

Regards, Peter 

     

[Paul3]

Pruitt,
Let's compare apples to apples, shall we?  Let's start with the fact that larger production runs means lower per-unit prices.  That applies to Rapido because up until recently, they were making models of rather unusual prototypes (FL9, GMD-1, LRC, TurboTrain, etc.).  These unusual models meant that they couldn't sell as many; this results in higher Rapido prices.

Now to get into your examples:

The BLI 2-8-0 is a generic model that is being sold by BLI in 15 different road names with no difference between units other than paint & lettering.  They are also using the same USRA tender they have already made for the Mike and Pacific.  I'm relatively certain that they have sold a bunch of 2-8-0's to fans of all 15 railroads (ATSF, CNW, DMI&R, D&RGW, NYO&W, PM, SOU, UP, WP, CB&Q, C&O, GN, MEC, SP, and WM).

Meanwhile, Rapido is making a railroad specific model, the CP D-10 using all-new tooling.  The model will be only available for CP and three shortlines/tourist lines (DA, QCR, and CVR), but it will be made in 4 sub-classes, high or low walkways, two different bell locations, high or low headlights, two different reversers, two different numberboards, and have coal or oil tender inserts.  CP certainly has a following, but I'm guessing it's not as large as all 15 US railroads listed above combined.

Kato Superliners are very nice cars, but they don't have many detail parts, do they?  All their HVAC & electrical systems are not shown, the entire interior is molded in one beige color.  And each run only has one paint scheme and one road number factory painted on the car.

Rapido NH 8600 coaches have over 200 parts, and if you want to trace all the underfloor air lines, steam lines and electric cables, you can.  The interior floor is blue, the internal walls are tan, the glass partition is clear, and every coach and lounge seat has a white antimacassar painted on it.  The 8600's came in 4 paint schemes (for 3 railroads), and they each came in 10 road numbers plus a painted-unumbered version.

The BLI P70 is another nice car, but I'm certain the market for PRR P70's is a little bigger than the one for the NH 8600.  After all, the NHRHTA had to pay for half the tooling costs to get the 8600's made while BLI did it on their own.  Whatever Rapido made in 8600's, I'd bet that BLI sold twice that.

The InterMountan NE-5 is a great model; I have several.  None of them have electric lights...not even in real life (they were all using oil lamps right 'til PC).  The Rapido caboose will be lit, and not just with a single large bulb like the old P2K hacks.

The IM R-70-20 reefer is another nice model, but it doesn't have a plug for sound like the Rapido reefer will.  Which means it doesn't have any wiring or truck electrical pick up like each Rapido reefer will have.

As for the vehicles, the CMW's are nice but I think the Rapido models will be better.  We'll have to wait and see.

[gmpullman]

Thank you for your concise explanations, Paul.

I recall my first four Rapido "Continental Line" passenger cars. They were based on a C-N prototype but mine were lettered for Erie-Lackawanna. At the time (and to this day) they were the best cars available for me to model a Cleveland to Youngstown commuter train that I used to photograph and occasionally ride.

They fit the bill but, and Mr. Shron admits this, that they weren't exactly the best engineered passenger cars in HO. He set out to correct this and I believe today he has, and then some.

I gladly pay a premium to get the level of detail his team puts into these cars. I couldn't believe when I looked inside the Park-series observation car that the "glass" partitions actually had simulated etchings. Usually the seats have painted antimacassars, the coach armrests are also painted a different color. The colors are as close as can be expected to the prototype. There are smoking stands in the smoking lounges. (The water pitchers and place settings are included. I added the patrons and some glassware)

Diner_patrons7 by Edmund, on Flickr

pido_dome by Edmund, on Flickr

New_Haven2 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

Rapido_dome2 by Edmund, on Flickr

I AM willing to pay for the extra time to research, engineer, fit, and assemble all this detail for me to admire and enjoy.

Rapido_dome1 by Edmund, on Flickr

The Turbotrains really required lots of special adaptations and design hurdles but I think they are well worth the effort:

Turbo_PC52-Amtrak50 by Edmund, on Flickr

Little details like those perforations on the step risers in the vestibule, the small, silver "Parlor" sign, etc. those are above and beyond a run-of-the-mill model. Again, well worth the extra outlay IMHO.

New_Haven by Edmund, on Flickr

Their locomotives follow a similar level of detail and accuracy annd I could fill another page on them, suffice to say they are superb models. Yes, I've had a couple mechanical issues which were readily taken care of with minimal hassle.

CPR_4-6-4 by Edmund, on Flickr

My only regret is that Rapido isn't cranking them out faster. I'm really hoping to land one of the U4-bs, if I should live so long.

Regards, Ed