Hello,
Here's the latest from Rapido, announced today:
The Tempo passsenger cars were those purchased by Anschutz for the D&RGW Ski Train in 1988. Rapido plans to offer these cars in Rio Grande Ski Train paint at a later date, which should be very popular with Rio Grande modelers of that time frame (1988+). I really dodged the bullet there as I model an earlier time.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I admire Rapido as a manufacturer of HO and N scale locomotives and passenger cars. I have some HO scale passenger cars from Rapido, and they are very nice.
But, I do have a few issues with Rapido. For one thing, their product is pricey. I mean, $355 for a RS-11, DCC with sound? For another thing, I long for the day when it will be cost efficient and technically possible to produce the shell for any road name upon request. Right now, Rapido doesn't make any of the road names for locomotives that I run on my layout.
Rich
Alton Junction
Rapido has been pricey during the last 10 years. My guess is the reason is they make top quality products in fairly limited runs and cannot do so at a lower price point. Rapido is serviing a somewhat of a niche market in this regard, but they are offering things never available, especially Canadian market. I expect when the Amtrak phase II body F40PH comes out, it will be pricy too, but nobody had made one this good so I expect I'll spring for a couple.
I enjoyed the detailed pics and can see why these are desired models. Unfortunately I do not see UP in these HO diesels. Don't know if it is due to the particular prototypes or a UP licensing requirement.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
peahrens I enjoyed the detailed pics and can see why these are desired models. Unfortunately I do not see UP in these HO diesels. Don't know if it is due to the particular prototypes or a UP licensing requirement.
UP did not have an RS-11 or an RS-18.
JW
Yay! They’re doing an SP version with the SP light package.
Now if they’ll only do an SP FM H12-44.
http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/h12-44_photos/1592_sp-h12-44-yardclerk.jpg
Andre
richhotrain But, I do have a few issues with Rapido. For one thing, their product is pricey. I mean, $355 for a RS-11, DCC with sound? For another thing, I long for the day when it will be cost efficient and technically possible to produce the shell for any road name upon request. Right now, Rapido doesn't make any of the road names for locomotives that I run on my layout. Rich
Indeed, I wince at the price, but I also celebrate the value. In the past the only alternative was to buy a cheaper generic model, often with compromised dimensions, and start kitbashing it into that of the chosen road name. Upgrade with various detail parts at $5 - $20 each, and hours of labor, to get reasonably close. Finally, a new paint job and decals. That option is still available but, if one is lucky enough to want the prototype Rapido is producing, that work is all unnecessary and the result is exact, not just close.
One of the reasons for the cost is that they do modify the shell to match each road name. There are too many minor variations to do every railroad, at least at the same time, but a successful run may encourage a second release with new road names.
One place where Rapido was guilty of compromised accuracy is the passenger cars. In their early days the CN prototype cars were painted in various other road names. They still looked great, but the nitpicker can pick up many minor inaccuracies. I don't fault them; the longer product run to cover the cost of the molds was no doubt critical to the survival of a very young company.
John
I love the RS-11. It is a shame it came along two years too late to be included in my 1954 railroad.
.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
richhotrainBut, I do have a few issues with Rapido. For one thing, their product is pricey. I mean, $355 for a RS-11, DCC with sound?
Welcome to the "new" normal, Rich:
https://www.walthers.com/emd-gp7-w-soundtraxx-r-tsunami-r-sound-dcc-pennsylvania-railroad-8799-1952-1966-brunswick-green
Regards, Ed
I have no doubts those RS11s will be master pieces, I don't think I'm quite ready to give up my Atlas/Kato and Atlas Classic RS11s.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE I have no doubts those RS11s will be master pieces, I don't think I'm quite ready to give up my Atlas/Kato and Atlas Classic RS11s.
Yeah, and at 3 to 4 times to cost as well I would wager.
The new high fidelity engines coming out are really getting "up there"! I don't see myself buying very many more in the future, nor can I afford very many at these prices. Fortunately I have plenty enough if bark comes to bite, too many really.
Not a problem for me, as they were not correct in the first place so I never purchased any of them.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Fortunately, I don't need masterpieces, nor do I have to "keep up with the Joneses." My Atlas RS11 is good enough; it looks and runs excellent. I am very fortunate to have it.
Bubbytrains
Bubbytrainsnor do I have to "keep up with the Joneses.
Do you really think people buy trains to "keep up with the jones"? Really? You know how silly that sounds when you consider how many are "lone wolves".
Anyway, SMH, I buy trains to please myself, and the Jone's can go ...
gmpullman richhotrain But, I do have a few issues with Rapido. For one thing, their product is pricey. I mean, $355 for a RS-11, DCC with sound? Welcome to the "new" normal, Rich
richhotrain But, I do have a few issues with Rapido. For one thing, their product is pricey. I mean, $355 for a RS-11, DCC with sound?
Welcome to the "new" normal, Rich
As I look at my roster, I have some very nice sound locomotives from BLI, Athearn Genesis, Atlas, Intermountain, and Bowser, and not a one of them cost me anywhere near $355.
riogrande5761 Bubbytrains nor do I have to "keep up with the Joneses. Do you really think people buy trains to "keep up with the jones"? Really? You know how silly that sounds when you consider how many are "lone wolves". Anyway, SMH, I buy trains to please myself, and the Jone's can go ...
Bubbytrains nor do I have to "keep up with the Joneses.
Model railroaders aren't immune to the same basic human foibles and weaknesses as any other part of society. Hopefully most enjoy the hobby to please themselves.
richhotrain As I look at my roster, I have some very nice sound locomotives from BLI, Athearn Genesis, Atlas, Intermountain, and Bowser, and not a one of them cost me anywhere near $355. Rich
I'm not sure where you got the number of $355. If you are in Canada, it's $359.95. In the USA, it's $335. That is the MSRP. Dealers may sell for less.
In 2012, our sound-equipped locomotives retailed for $329.95. In 2018, they retail for $335. So while our models are not meant to be budget models (we tried that once and we're never doing it again), our prices have remained pretty consistent.
Best regards,
Jason
Jason Shron - President - Rapido Trains Inc. - RapidoTrains.comMy HO scale Kingston Sub layout: Facebook.com/KingstonSub
Not to put too fine a point on it, that comes to about 0.16% rise in price over the past six years. Not so shabby with that perspective.
I could see a young person, say under the age of about 12, succumbing to that urge, but not those who have developed emotionally normally and have families, etc.
riogrande5761Do you really think people buy trains to "keep up with the jones"? Really? You know how silly that sounds when you consider how many are "lone wolves".
Jim,Several years back I was a member of a club where some of the members would try to out do each other by being the first member to have the latest brass locomotive releases.
That was the only club where I use Atlas engines since that's what the majority of us "poor folk" was using.