BATMANI was just being a little tongue in cheek. The Hudson was in the last factory tour so was just hoping for a more current peek.
Have you looked at these production samples yet, Batman?
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Rapido-News-103---New-Videos-and-Product-Updates-.html?soid=1101318906379&aid=BVpZpCBkHnc
I'm sold. And I just found out Rapido is planning a New Tork Central Flexi-Flow PD car. A wee bit modern for me but I'll just have to fudge my era a bit. (They show up as the CAD samples right after the RPM news).
Cheers, Ed
Frankly, Jason can make his products on Mars for all I care. If people get bent out of shape over where something is made, then they better start checking the labels on things before they buy them and stop being hypocritical as soon as it affects the amount of money coming out of their wallet.
The ship sailed, and tribal economics got left on the dock a long time ago. Jason is under no obligation to tell us about the financial nuts and bolts of Rapido and we should be grateful for what he does share with us.
Corporate law dictates that those running the company must make decisions based on what will get the biggest bang for the buck for the shareholders. If he is the only shareholder then it doesn't really matter.
I have family that has had to move large companies to third world countries for no other reason than to improve the bottom line. The list can be long on why it is fiscally prudent to do so and the devil is always in the details.
I have met Jason and remember him talking about all the very expensive, grueling 14-hour flights to China he has had to take. He also flies to England lot as well as to all the train shows he and his cohorts attend.
It must be a real financial benefit to make his stuff in China for all the headaches that come from doing so. In his early years, I remember him writing he had to quickly hop on a plane to China to deal with Rapido growing pains. Reading between the lines, you could tell it was a hit he didn't need in both time and money.
I am delighted he shares what he does with us and have no reason to question what he says, in the end, it just doesn't matter. It is his business and he is entitled to make as much money from it as he can and I can choose whether to buy his products or not. How much of my money goes into his pocket as profit is his and only his business.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I am not saying he is lying, I am just questioning the calculation behind the figures he stated. I find them highly unlikely, when a German manufacturer with labor costs per hour significantly higher than in the US can manufacture highly detailed locomotives and cars in Germany and sell them at prices not even a third of the figures Jason stated. And we don´t have to discuss economies of scale here, the German manufacturer I am talking about is in a very small niche of the market, with rather low production runs.
I think Jason´s statement has a more political than an economic background, but that I don´t want to discuss.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Tinplate Toddler,So Jason is lying?
The GNR Stirling Single is a fascinating yet unusual locomotive for the North American or continental European model railroader. British railways employed "singles" into the 20th century, almot 50 years longer than the rest of the world. The GNR Stirling Singles were first built in 1865 and the last batch of them as late as 1895.
The Hornby nee Rapido model is a nice representation, only the chuff rate appears to be too fast.
Jason Shron´s statement as to the cost of a passenger car or locomotive if made in the US or Canada, however, is utter nonsense. But that issue has alreadey been discussed ad nauseum.
That Stirling is beautiful. You can see the rear wheels slip along with the big drivers on startup. I also really like the whistle.
We have good British model railroad representation at some of our shows up here, I would love to see the Stirling in person along with Tooby (as Jason called it in the video)
Did you get a load of those track nails. Obviously, they haven't heard of caulk in jolly old England. (okay Jim, that's your cue)
Rastafarr BATMAN Didn't see my Royal Hudsons like I did in the last video, should I be nervous. I don’t think so. It’s Rapido‘s first steamie and Jason isn’t shy about his desire to get it bang-on right. Their SW1200 is cool enough to keep me happy in the interrim.
BATMAN Didn't see my Royal Hudsons like I did in the last video, should I be nervous.
Didn't see my Royal Hudsons like I did in the last video, should I be nervous.
I don’t think so. It’s Rapido‘s first steamie and Jason isn’t shy about his desire to get it bang-on right. Their SW1200 is cool enough to keep me happy in the interrim.
Actually, it’s not the first ”steamie”. Rapido has done an LNER J70 (kind of a steam dummy) for the British market
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dde8H6-OrO8
as well as the famous Great Northern Stirling Single.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8JVVG40eDEY
From everything I’ve read, the Single is a superb model. Surprisingly, not only are the driving wheels powered, but also those under the cab. That’s some good engineering to synchronize wheels of different diameter. The net effect is to give a big boost to the tractive power of the engine.
Andre
Stainless steel trip pins! Oh No!
Whatever we weren't supposed to see on the CAD design screen was a passenger car! More future product announcements from Rapido
I don't think I'd last too long sitting on those plastic or wood stools even though my sitting parts have lots of natural padding. I'm suprised I didn't even see any seat cushions that the workers brought on their own. They may prefer the hard surface, though.
I've always admired Jason for his straight-forward openness about his manufacturing endeavors.
[edit] I'd sure like to get one of those auto rickshaws (Tuk-tuk). Looks like the one he's on needs a little air in the front tire.
Regards, Ed
I was just being a little tongue in cheek. The Hudson was in the last factory tour so was just hoping for a more current peek.
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
They always seem to be having a lot of fun making these videos, but it is good to see the working conditions in their facories over there.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch