I've never bought a Rapido product, but my friends who are committed modern passenger modelers and know the nuances of modern equipment have good things to say about Rapido. By a serious modeler for a serious modeler, that kind of thing. I probably won't go all in until they bring out a series of great wooden Canadian cars, but I am angling to pick up a Royal Hudson with the "Southern" legend- which they're apparently making. I would certainly giv any approach they try the benefit of the doub.
http://mprailway.blogspot.com
"The first transition era - wood to steel!"
BATMANn Rapidos latest newsletter, they show that all the drivers will be powered directly rather than using the drive rods. What other manufacturers do it this way if any? Comments!
Like others, I've often wondered why this system wasn't used earlier and more frequently. However, driver quartering is still important, as a mis-quartered driver can still jam-up the works. It may, however, be less likely to occur, with power applied equally to all drivers through the gears rather than the rods.
I've ordered none, but may have an interest in some future releases of smaller locos.
Wayne
gmpullman Jason also plans to include a speaker in the smokebox, which, I believe will be another innovation for mass produced steam sound. Cheers, Ed
Jason also plans to include a speaker in the smokebox, which, I believe will be another innovation for mass produced steam sound.
Cheers,
Ed
FINALLY! Maybe I'll reconsider sound-equipped steam. It's just plain irritating to have the sound of a steam locomotive emitted from half a block away from where it's supposed to be.
Re: gearing
Consider the following illustrations of Marklin locomotives:
For that matter, consider the drive in this old Lionel loco:
And, going into still other drives for steam locomotive models, a buddy gave me his model of the Flying Scotsman, a 4-6-2. Has a tender drive. ALL in the tender. Locomotive freewheels. Looking at the photo below, notice that the tender truck appears to be pedestal style, so the drive train is pretty simple:
As I recall, that same buddy had a teeny little German steam engine. And the rods were grey plastic. THAT one surely did not use the rods for power transmission.
Ah, I see the Lionel gearing was commented on while I was compiling my collection.
PS: By the way, notice that, in the drawing of the 2-10-0, the drive is totally concealed--there is no gearbox of other structure in the space between the boiler and the wheels/frame. I really do like that idea. My Flying Scotsman also has a clear space there, because there's no drive in the locomotive at all. I see the Rapido won't have that feature, sadly.
I remember the old Lionel O gauge trains of my youth were geared this way. You could completely remove the side rods (intentionally or accidentally ) and they would still run like clockwork. I've had my share of side rod and valve gear woes on my HO scale locos and would like to see more fully geared steam loco models.
Hornblower
I was pretty impressed with that gearing arrangement.
Back when I was in N scale, every steam locomotive I had was driven this way.
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To me it seemed more rugged than relying on this side rods and screws/rivets. Also, quartering no longer is critical.
I have always wondered why HO locomotives were not made this way. I think it is a good idea, as long as it is well executed, and I think we can rely on Rapido for that.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
In Rapidos latest newsletter, they show that all the drivers will be powered directly rather than using the drive rods. What other manufacturers do it this way if any? Comments! I have two reserved.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."