Rapido Announces the GARX 37' Meat Reefer in N scale

[wishj]

plus 1 I still think they will take all these comments on board and hopefully all goes well for future freights cars John

[thomasjmdavis]

From a purely marketing perspective, it comes down to this, from my point of view-

If a model buyer is in a hobby shop and sees a MT reefer sitting in the case for $20, and a Rapido reefer sitting in the case at $33, is he going to perceive enough additional value in the Rapido product to pay the higher price?  Now, I would argue that if the customer doesn't know a GARX reefer from a (whatever prototypes the MT 36' and 40' reefers are based on, see other thread before stepping into that fray), he or she may base the buying decision on perceived quality of detail and price. 

Now, I don't think that is telling Jason and Mike anything they don't already know. 

From my point of view, I have no right to complain about that, I will just wait 'til the next time I am in a big hobby shop where I can put the two cars next to each other and make a buying decision.  A bigger issue for me (and one I think the manufacturer could solve, since they must have the research in their files) is that other than Swift and Armour, I don't know much about these companies, where their plants were located, and where their reefers traveled.  And I don't have an idea which paint schemes are accurate for my timeframe.  "50s and 60s" doesn't help, because that could be 1959 and later, and all might be past my 1956 nominal date.  Likewise "30s and 40s" might have all been repainted shortly after WWII.  All I am saying is that publishing that information could make my life as an informed consumer easier, and with a street price of 4 cars for $100, I expect that the manufacturer could save me some time and trouble and internet and library hours. 

[bbussey]

You would have to hold every manufacturer to that standard, not just Rapido. And really, it is the responsibility of the modeler to know which models are appropriate for his/her modeling period if layout fidelity is among his/her important criteria.

[thomasjmdavis]

it is the responsibility of the modeler to know which models are appropriate for his/her modeling period if layout fidelity is among his/her important criteria.

I agree.  All I am saying is that for those of us who do not have infinite amounts of research time, manufacturers (not just Rapido, all manufacturers) might increase their sales by sharing information with us.  I value my time as well as my cash.  If I happen to know which model is correct for what era or even individual train (try me on ATSF passenger cars), then I can make a "do I want this" decision in short order.  If I really don't know much about the details (and I will admit some ignorance on meat packing reefers), it would be helpful if the manufacturer would share resources.  Again, if I am going to pay $100 for four cars, I want to get the right four.  None of my quick searches yielded the answers I was looking for.  I did put the MR book on meatpacking industry on my Xmas list, but I am guessing that will tell me what I need to know about building a credible model of a packing plant, but other than perhaps some useful photos, not much about the particular paint schemes that one might encounter on the Belt Railway of Chicago or EJ&E or otherwise being switched in Chicago in 1955 or 56.

Tom D

[Philip H]

All I am saying is that for those of us who do not have infinite amounts of research time, manufacturers (not just Rapido, all manufacturers) might increase their sales by sharing information with us. 

Tom D

You mean like this:

The Rapido wood reefer is based on a design built between 1937 and 1941 by General American Transportation (GARX). Although built with a wooden sheathed body and roof that made them look like a car from an earlier era, these GARX cars were modern for their time. They were constructed on a steel underframe of similar construction to boxcar underframes then in common use and featured AB brakes, Equipco brake wheels and housings and Barber S-1 trucks. More than 940 cars were built to this configuration making it one of the most numerous meat reefer designs, and they lasted in service into the 1970’s. They would normally be assigned to meat service only, running between meat packing houses and regional dealers throughout North America, Including Canada.

http://www.rapidotrains.com/reefer_n.html

[sirenwerks]

You mean like this:

http://www.rapidotrains.com/reefer_n.html

These write-ups are great in the generic sense.  I take issue though when a generic description like this, that describes a prototype, is used to describe a foob model; using it to lend proto cred to the model like it was a smack-on perfect reproduction even though the model's only a reasonable facsimile.  MTL is notorious for this in it's promotion of monthly releases.

[sd45elect2000]

You mean like this:

http://www.rapidotrains.com/reefer_n.html

All of the prototypes of the Rapido meat packers cars were switched in Chicago for Eastern destinations in the 1955-56 era.

[thomasjmdavis]

"All of the prototypes of the Rapido meat packers cars were switched in Chicago for Eastern destinations in the 1955-56 era."

But all of the offered paint schemes?  Clearly not all of the "Swift" schemes simultaneously.  And if others are accurate for the era, why are some packaged as "30s and 40s" and others as "50s and 60s"

As to the prototype being accurate, I was not arguing that (I did read their blurbs on these - I get the newsletter).  What I am asking for in addition, however, is (a) are all the paint schemes accurate for the prototype?  and (b) which of the paint schemes still in use in 1955?  I am guessing mostly red Swift cars with the occasional yellow car with red block, the older "original" lettering gone by then.  Are some of the road names foobies? (implied in an earlier post)? I was under the impression they were all accurate for the car.  Something else helpful would be some insight into how many cars of this type were lettered for any given meat packer or lessor- would give us a better idea of how to go about building a fleet, assuming we don't build a Swift packing plant.

[wcfn100]

All the photographs I've seen from the mid-50s says you would need mostly red Swift cars with one or two of the yellow with black lettering.  I don't believe I've ever seen a yellow car with the red block in any sort of in service picture with other cars.  I think it was a short lived scheme maybe not applied extensively but I'm not sure

Jason

[sd45elect2000]

Jason is pretty much right. The red cars would be the most numerous in the mid 50s, however, in "The Great Yellow Fleet" book and I think in the morning sun book as well there are some pictures of the red block cars mixed in with the red cars.
I suppose some cars were just running out their last miles by then so repainting may not have been worth it for a car that will soon be scrapped. By 1958 the wood GARX cars were already 20 years old , meat service is a hard life for a car so they probably started disappearing before 1960.

One question I have in my mind... I distinctly remember a preserved wooden Swift car at the museum in Green Bay Wisconsin. It was a silver painted wood car but for some reason it is stuck in my mind that it was the ONLY 36" GARX reefer painted silver. I may be wrong as I am using my very flawed memory.

All of the cars as far as I can see are based off of real cars in real pictures. Allthough the internet is a great source of information there is no substitute for a collection of books.

Randy

[wcfn100]

I think in the morning sun book as well there are some pictures of the red block cars mixed in with the red cars.

The Morning Sun reefer book has no pictures of the yellow cars with the red block.

As for silver cars I've come across more than one photo, but can't say of the top of my head if they're the same car. I'll see if I can find them.

Jason

[arbomambo]

I bought my Kingan cars, simply because I found some photos of Santa Fe freight units in Kingman Canyon, in the 50's (my era), with one in the consist behind the power...it's one of the very few pictures of Santa Fe freight trains in Kingman Canyon during my modeled era.
I wanted to model that consist. and Rapido offered a reefer in that lettering. (IM had previously announced a Kingan reefer, but then cancelled, of course)
 The car in my photo does not appear to be the exact car modeled (their are some underframe sill differences), but the car does, indeed capture the look of a wooden reefer. like someone posted above, I, generally, like to super detail my motive power AND my rolling stock...these cars may get detailed further (stirrup replacements, etc)...they will definitely get some detail painting (door latches), but they look the part.
No one has said anything about how well these cars perform...VERY well weighted, and tracking is outstanding.
Bruce

the first car, behind the power, in this pic, is a wood side Kingan Reefer



I will definitely paint the trucks, wheelsets, door latches, and tack boards on this car...I will probably replace the stirrups with photo-etched versions as well...

[peteski]

From a purely marketing perspective, it comes down to this, from my point of view-

If a model buyer is in a hobby shop and sees a MT reefer sitting in the case for $20, and a Rapido reefer sitting in the case at $33, is he going to perceive enough additional value in the Rapido product to pay the higher price?  Now, I would argue that if the customer doesn't know a GARX reefer from a (whatever prototypes the MT 36' and 40' reefers are based on, see other thread before stepping into that fray), he or she may base the buying decision on perceived quality of detail and price. 

I don't think many purchases will be made on decisions based on the level of detail and/or the purchase price.  Major factors contributing the the sale will be the pain scheme and body style of the model.

Since this is the first ever model of that type of a reefer produced in N scale, painted for certain brands never offered by other manufacturers (or offered on wrong body style cars), this model will sell regardless whether it has incredible under-body details or a flat bottom, and regardless of its overdone shell engraving.    Modelers who were for years hoping to have a meat reefer in Swift or Oscar Meyer scheme will buy these by the dozen (assuming their budget allows for that).  So the bottom line is that Rapido will make a profit on these models.  That is what really matters to them (or any for-profit company).

I also think that while it seems high, the price is not out of line with other similar cars out there (like MT).

[sirenwerks]

Hmmm, the more pics I see of the product the more I think they should relabel thems as 'corrugated side' reefers.

[Kisatchie]

Hmmm, the more pics I see of the product the more I think they should relabel thems as 'corrugated side' reefers.

I was thinking the same thing!


Hmm... it's contagious...