IC_Tom Want to make a bet they go into 2023?
Want to make a bet they go into 2023?
Rich
Alton Junction
Well I'm bummed. I have had the Rapido E8s on pre-order for well over a year. First they were reported due for the Christmas/New Year's holidays in 2021. Then they were updated this year to 3rd Qtr 2022. In checking the website today, they've been changed to 4th Qtr 2022. Want to make a bet they go into 2023?
Thank you, Good to hear that WOW Sound has been repalced by LOK Sound, i may now reconsider ordering the PA1. Mico Soft Teams and Zoom calls work well for certain business's such as banking, brokerage, etc., but manufactring high tech products is at another level. In addition to manufacturing model trains (and most all other US consumer imports) i believe some of our countrys military weapons are still being produced in China, notwithstanding mico chips for cars. Bayway Terminal NJ
Paul3What I said only applies to undec. units only.
I pre-ordered a Rapido Kodachrome ATSF B36-7, and their painting was absolutely positively horrible. It is two or three very different shades of yellow (and not a model of a patch painted engine). My local train store gave me a refund and found me a replacement non-Rapido engine. Rapido could not replace it because they said all the models are painted that way.
I will never pre-order anything from Rapido again. They have a track record of delivering engines with poor quality paint. The Conrail RS-11's were multiple shades of blue, also. I got burned there too.
Rapido apparently does not prime models prior to color painting. Their models have black plastic, white plastic, grey plastic, and brass walkway tread and details. The different colors of material affect the final finished coat if no primer is used.
I have purchased multiple different models of freight cars from Rapido recently, all of which roll horribly, and had to have either wheelsets or entire trucks replaced.
For the high end, top of the line prices that Rapido charges for their products, I just expect better.
I contacted Rapido directly about the awful paint job on the B36-7. They refuse to do anything to fix them. When Bowser, Scale Trains, and Athearn have recently (within the last couple years) painted a loco body incorrectly, which has been relatively rare (one product run each that I know of) they all stood behind their product and offered replacement loco shells. Rapido has flat out refused to do that.
John
Texas Zephyr,What I said only applies to undec. units only. If you want undec. units and Rapido isn't directly offering them as part of the production run, you can special order them made just for you from Rapido itself. However, it must be in multiples of 6. So you can order 6, 12, 18, etc. units, but you can't order 5, 10, or 20, etc. Note that these would be for undec. versions of models that they are doing in the current production run. If you want a model that looks like it's for XYZ Railroad and Rapido isn't making one for XYZ Railroad, then you're out of luck.
I'm hoping when they do the CN 2-8-0s that they do some decorated for CN subsidiary Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific. DWP's engines were virtually identical to parent CN's locos.
BTW I have a Rapido CN GMD-1, it's one of the best engines I've ever owned.
Paul3The pre-orders for undec. PA's were just not there to justify making any on speculation this time. However, undec. units in groups of 6 can be special ordered, sound or no sound, in any railroad style that's being made in this run. They do have to be ordered directly from Rapido, however.
Also have the Amtrak E8 ordered.
I have two 10 wheelers on order and may pick up a third. At first call I ordered three Hudsons but cut it back to two as they took just too long to get here. PWRS has a couple of Hudsons left in stock and I may bite yet, though the thought of having to send them in for repairs out of the gate is holding me back.
I would buy three or four 4-4-0s if Rapido makes them and at least two Selkirks and two or three Mikados. But I am not going to live that long.
The Hudsons have hours of perfect performance on them, once fixed they have been flawless.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Me too.
Come on Jason, how can you ignore history.
gmpullman I was fortunate enough to find four matched Erie-Lackawanna Super Continental cars at a train show years ago. The seller sold them to me at about half-retail Thet were mostly decoration at the Union Station in that they would not track well at all. After Rapido made their revised 41-BNO-11 passenger trucks available I reworked these cars by cementing the sides to the floor, clipping some of the steam and air lines from around the trucks and maybe some mods to the draft gear. The new trucks were a big improvement.
I was fortunate enough to find four matched Erie-Lackawanna Super Continental cars at a train show years ago. The seller sold them to me at about half-retail
Thet were mostly decoration at the Union Station in that they would not track well at all. After Rapido made their revised 41-BNO-11 passenger trucks available I reworked these cars by cementing the sides to the floor, clipping some of the steam and air lines from around the trucks and maybe some mods to the draft gear. The new trucks were a big improvement.
BATMAN I have 13 of the super continental line cars and they run great now but a lot of amputations were required. You don't want to see the underside of them in a wreck now.
I have 13 of the super continental line cars and they run great now but a lot of amputations were required. You don't want to see the underside of them in a wreck now.
Jason did admit they were the result of a fledgling company, I will accept that and keep buying his products as they only seem to be getting better as time goes along.
I would like to see some Canadian Pacific 4-4-0s After all they were the start and hauled the first train(s) to the West Coast of Canada. You should always honour the first to do something.
They were mostly decoration (shelf queens) at Union Station in that they would not track well at all. After Rapido made their revised 41-BNO-11 passenger trucks available I reworked these cars by cementing the sides to the floor, clipping some of the steam and air lines from around the trucks and maybe some mods to the draft gear. The new trucks were a big improvement.
REA_Siding-cork by Edmund, on Flickr
Today they run very well. My nephew got me to rework his IC coach. He wanted this bad enough he shelled out over two-hundred for it!
IC_Rapido2 by Edmund, on Flickr
IC_Rapido by Edmund, on Flickr
I recall in one of Jasons early "blogs" or Rapido News segments that he regretted many of the design choices made on the Super Continental line. I can see why he would want to not tackle that beast again.
Regards, Ed
Paul3 richhotrain,About the Super Continental coaches, I asked at this morning's Rapido meeting about the possiblity of running them again and the answers were not encouraging...at least not in the near future. Jason wasn't there when I asked but the rest of the group said it would probably require all new tooling from the ground up. The coach is currently not in the pipeline but things can change (they change all the time, in fact). The best thing to do is to use the product suggestion page and perhaps tell all your Monon and coach-loving friends to do the same. If there are historical groups, get them involved, too. Jason does listen to product requests but they have to make sense financially. Showing him a large pent up demand is one of the ways to convince him.
richhotrain,About the Super Continental coaches, I asked at this morning's Rapido meeting about the possiblity of running them again and the answers were not encouraging...at least not in the near future. Jason wasn't there when I asked but the rest of the group said it would probably require all new tooling from the ground up. The coach is currently not in the pipeline but things can change (they change all the time, in fact). The best thing to do is to use the product suggestion page and perhaps tell all your Monon and coach-loving friends to do the same. If there are historical groups, get them involved, too. Jason does listen to product requests but they have to make sense financially. Showing him a large pent up demand is one of the ways to convince him.
Thanks again, Paul.
We have 4 each of their SW-1200s and B36-7s ... no problems at all. Like them in all ways.
Good luck.
Jim
Ed, I agree, it would be nice if someone did that scheme.
But I'm not buying any. I guess it all gets down to what era you model, and whether or not you are a "collector" of various eras and/or roadnames.
I am not the later. Nearly every model train I have fits my narrow little world of September 1954, in the mix of freelance and prototype I have created.
Maybe one day, after the layout is well along, I may consider the luxury of a little "collecting".
Until then, all resources are focused on the one goal.
Sheldon
Paul3Sheldon, Ok, I'll pass that along. Do you think that's B&O's most popular scheme? Rapido would want to do what modelers want the most.
I can't speak for Sheldon, but in my observation the B&O as-delivered has previously been done by Proto/Walthers, Broadway Limited, Bachmann and, well, even AHM/Rivarossi. Some of these are EA, E6 or E7, E8 and E9s.
BnO_E9-1456 by Edmund, on Flickr
The Royal Blue "dip" with the nose starburst and yellow anticlimber would be fairly simple for a modeler to do in their own paint shop and I believe decals are available for these.
Passing Into History by NAPM Model Railroad Club, on Flickr
My rationale for requesting the simplified Blue & gray is that it simply hasn't been available from other manufacturers.
B&O Capitol Limited 1971 by Michael Bludworth, on Flickr
Bayway Terminal Same here on the delivery uncertainity. I have been following Rapido's saga related to overseas production delays and operating issues for several years and continue to loose faith in placing pre-ordered engines, in particular the PA1 delivery delays, which if offered in an Erie paint scheme or an unpainted version i would have placed an order regardless of factory installed TCS WOW decorder. I installed a WOW decoder in an ATH Erie GP7 a few years back and it runs very hot even at idle, so i only use it for intermittent switching purposes otherise it would burn out or melt the shell if used on longer runs. Bowser, ATH Genesis 2, and Scale Trains Rivet Counter all offer high quality engines that seem to arrive in a more timley manner to the USA and are similar priced. Maybe Atlas and Intermountain engines as well but i don't have any in my current roster so i cannot recommend. Bayway Terminal NJ
Same here on the delivery uncertainity. I have been following Rapido's saga related to overseas production delays and operating issues for several years and continue to loose faith in placing pre-ordered engines, in particular the PA1 delivery delays, which if offered in an Erie paint scheme or an unpainted version i would have placed an order regardless of factory installed TCS WOW decorder. I installed a WOW decoder in an ATH Erie GP7 a few years back and it runs very hot even at idle, so i only use it for intermittent switching purposes otherise it would burn out or melt the shell if used on longer runs.
Bowser, ATH Genesis 2, and Scale Trains Rivet Counter all offer high quality engines that seem to arrive in a more timley manner to the USA and are similar priced. Maybe Atlas and Intermountain engines as well but i don't have any in my current roster so i cannot recommend. Bayway Terminal NJ
Bowsers recently arrived RS3s we're almost 4 years late. I am not aware of Rapido suffering any delays that long.
An "expensive model collector"
To our OP, I only have one Rapido locomotive, three pax cars, and the original issue of the 'Oh So Steamy" steam generator car. The single locomotive is the Canadian RS-18, which was the Canadian version of the RS-11, just without 'pinched' nose and bell. By the time I received it, I had already seen the problems with the decoders over-driving the motors on forums, so I dreaded my own box-opening experience. I had no problems. I ran it for a while, and now, after a year 'off', it's currently on the rails again and operating nicely. It's a very nice locomotive, right up there with the very best diesels and steam Proto 2000 ever produced in terms of form and function.
Paul3 Sheldon,Ok, I'll pass that along. Do you think that's B&O's most popular scheme? Rapido would want to do what modelers want the most.
Sheldon,Ok, I'll pass that along. Do you think that's B&O's most popular scheme? Rapido would want to do what modelers want the most.
I could be wrong, my hand is not on the pulse of the younger crowd, but the 40's and 50's was the peak of B&O success, so I would say yes, as delivered is the most popular scheme. Some units lasted in the original scheme until '62-'64. Others were repainted as early as '60.
Paul3 richhotrain,Those Monon cars were done in the old Super Continental line as coaches, right? A friend of mine in my club has the set, plus a Walthers troop sleeper conversion baggage car and two Athearn Genesis F's for power. It makes for a nice looking train. I'm sorry you missed 'em.The problem is that I don't know if Jason wants to redo these cars just yet (or at all); it hasn't come up in conversation lately. I am certain that if he ever does, he'll want to replace the battery powered lights with track powered ones. This means that there are going to be some tooling changes, and if he's going to do that, he'll want to make a few other improvements, too. I guess what I'm saying here is that it's not like turning a tap on and making more coaches. And that's not even getting into the condition of the old tooling, which may or may not be damaged, worn out, or even missing; they may have to make all new tooling.
richhotrain,Those Monon cars were done in the old Super Continental line as coaches, right? A friend of mine in my club has the set, plus a Walthers troop sleeper conversion baggage car and two Athearn Genesis F's for power. It makes for a nice looking train. I'm sorry you missed 'em.The problem is that I don't know if Jason wants to redo these cars just yet (or at all); it hasn't come up in conversation lately. I am certain that if he ever does, he'll want to replace the battery powered lights with track powered ones. This means that there are going to be some tooling changes, and if he's going to do that, he'll want to make a few other improvements, too. I guess what I'm saying here is that it's not like turning a tap on and making more coaches. And that's not even getting into the condition of the old tooling, which may or may not be damaged, worn out, or even missing; they may have to make all new tooling.
richhotrain,Those Monon cars were done in the old Super Continental line as coaches, right? A friend of mine in my club has the set, plus a Walthers troop sleeper conversion baggage car and two Athearn Genesis F's for power. It makes for a nice looking train. I'm sorry you missed 'em.The problem is that I don't know if Jason wants to redo these cars just yet (or at all); it hasn't come up in conversation lately. I am certain that if he ever does, he'll want to replace the battery powered lights with track powered ones. This means that there are going to be some tooling changes, and if he's going to do that, he'll want to make a few other improvements, too. I guess what I'm saying here is that it's not like turning a tap on and making more coaches. And that's not even getting into the condition of the old tooling, which may or may not be damaged, worn out, or even missing; they may have to make all new tooling.Sheldon,Ok, I'll pass that along. Do you think that's B&O's most popular scheme? Rapido would want to do what modelers want the most.Bayway Terminal,We aren't using TCS WOW decoders in the PAs; there was an effort to do so (even made a video about it), but Rapido is using ESU in the PAs instead.Delays in the last two years are almost all related to the fact that no one at Rapido can go to China and oversee production like they used to. They used to go four times a year. Now going to China means one month in solitary confinement in tiny motels due to COVID restrictions, and another month on the way home. No one wants to spend two months in solitary for one week of work.What this means is that everything has to be done via Zoom-like software and e-mails. It's very inefficient vs. being there, especially with the time difference.
I have 3 FAs and 2 RS11s from them. No issues at all. They make a great locomotive.
Paul3 Sheldon,The pre-orders for undec. PA's were just not there to justify making any on speculation this time. However, undec. units in groups of 6 can be special ordered, sound or no sound, in any railroad style that's being made in this run. They do have to be ordered directly from Rapido, however.Speaking of B&O E8s, which scheme would you prefer? There's at least four, right?
Sheldon,The pre-orders for undec. PA's were just not there to justify making any on speculation this time. However, undec. units in groups of 6 can be special ordered, sound or no sound, in any railroad style that's being made in this run. They do have to be ordered directly from Rapido, however.Speaking of B&O E8s, which scheme would you prefer? There's at least four, right?
As delivered, I model 1954.
Paul, thanks for that update. I have lots of Rapido passenger cars, but I have never purchased a Rapido locomotive. That's why I started this thread.
By the way, years ago I encouraged Jason to make a line of Monon streamlined passenger cars. Then, I balked at the price and didn't purchase them when they were released. So, do me favor and lean on Jason to make another run. And, while you are at it, see if you can find five of those Monon cars in a closet or back room.
Jason stated that due to issues with the website they are still taking pre-orders for the E8 and Turboliners. They are not sending the numbers in until next month (Rapdio News, Email dated Feb 23).
He also stated that they always make a few extra DCC models, so not an issue to add a few more onto the factory order.
richhotrain,Speaking as an Rapido employee (but not as a representive, if that makes any sense), I can say that pre-orders are not required. Rapido tends to make a few extras for each unit for warranty replacements, and various hobby shops tend to order on speculation. You can probably get a model after they come out. However, quantities are limited. So while pre-orders are not required, a pre-order should guarantee that you get what you want; you take a risk by not pre-ordering. For conditional releases (like P&W M-420R's), if enough pre-orders don't come in they won't get made.BigDaddy,Yes, the RS-11 & RS-18 motors were from a bad batch. These 3rd party motors were sourced from the same factory that had previously made thousands of motors for Rapido for years without any trouble at all. To suddenly have a batch of motors start melting down is inexplicable. Still, procedures have been changed to make such a re-occurance unlikely; it was a painful learning experience.Lastspikemike,Yes, parts popping off in shipment is a common problem in the industry, mostly due to all the parts models have these days. At this time of year, as packages go from heated warehouses and unheated trucks to subzero porch stoops, differential movement of metal and plastic due to changing temps can cause CA joints to shear.richhotrain,Rapido has been making HO locomotives for a while now. Released so far:TurboTrainFP9F9BLRCFL9F40PH-2DF40PH-2D RebuildFPA-4GMD-1FP7F7BF40PHF40PH NPCU ("Cabbage")RDC-1RDC-2RDC-3RDC (ATSF set)Dash 8-40CMFA-2FB-2FPA-2FPB-2SW1200RSSW12004-6-4 CP Royal HudsonB36-7RS-11RS-18M-420I think I listed them all... I own 5 FL9s, 2 RS-11s, 2 FB-2s, 2 SW1200s, and 8 RDCs. I have not had to send any of mine back for repair.Sheldon,The pre-orders for undec. PA's were just not there to justify making any on speculation this time. However, undec. units in groups of 6 can be special ordered, sound or no sound, in any railroad style that's being made in this run. They do have to be ordered directly from Rapido, however.Speaking of B&O E8s, which scheme would you prefer? There's at least four, right?gmpullman,The EP-5 Jets should be shipping out within a couple business days. They have arrived at Rapido's Warehouse/World Headquarters as of late this week. As a rule of thumb, big orders to large distributers go out first to clear room in the warehouse, then direct orders go out after that. As for the Rapido employees, yes, almost everyone is a model railroader (except Janet and maybe a one or two others). Take a look at the Meet the Rapido Team list (which does not include everyone, BTW): https://rapidotrains.com/meet-the-rapido-team/ You can even see my ugly mug there.With product paint scheme suggestions, send us great photos. Seriously, that's what we need to make any version; the higher quality and more numerous the photos, the better. 90-degree shots are best for paint schemes, by the way. 3/4 angle shots, while most popular, are not the best for good model art results. The Rapido E8 will have several advantages over previous models: the stainless steel grills won't fall off as they are mechanically fastened and not glued (they will never warp), the front windshields won't be "squinty", the sound decoders will be ESU, there will be more working lights (like ground lights, markers, Gyralites, etc.), and each model will be far more customized for each railroad. Things like the number of portholes, type of steam gen., air horns, sand hatches, fuel tank skirting and many extra detail parts that we all used to have to do ourselves (or do without) back in the day.richhotrain,Yes, the E8 order deadlines have been extended due to the new Rapido website changes. Jason just sent a Newsletter update (#148A) to explain: https://conta.cc/3sikMiY
And no, E8 delivery shouldn't be a year from now (it had better not!). This is the biggest loco production run in Rapido's history, and we're all anxious to get it out ASAP...but as Jason says, we also need to get it right.