TurboTrain - first test shots

[rapidotrains]

Just got this photo today.

I have to say this is very exciting!

-Jason

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[nstars]

First impression is good.

Marc

[migalyto]

Very exciting indeed! Hope this is a huge hit for you guys. Thanks for sharing the progress.

[rapidotrains]

Here are some more.

This is the GPPS (General purpose polystyrene, i.e. clear plastic) window parts being cut this morning.

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And here is the mould core and two roof slides for the PDC (Power Dome Car) - one American and one Canadian.

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-Jason

[tom mann]

Jason - I always appreciate your factory shots. 

[jmlaboda]

Jason - I always appreciate your factory shots.

We do indeed!!!

[Philip H]

Dang. @Puddington would be proud.

Now, about that N Scale LRV you keep holding out on . . .

[peteski]

Very cool!  I to am very interested in this type of "how's it made" info.
Are those molds being cut using the EDM process?

[rapidotrains]

Very cool!  I to am very interested in this type of "how's it made" info.
Are those molds being cut using the EDM process?

That's right.

In our factory tour video from September I visit one of the mould shops and you see the EDM process live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka7LC1jia64

Let's see how long it takes for someone to comment that we should make our trains in the USA. We were even called traitors on our YouTube channel because we make models in China. I let that one go through. I've had to delete hundreds of other comments for racism/profanity.

-Jason

[thomasjmdavis]

Just got this photo today.

I have to say this is very exciting!

-Jason

(Attachment Link)

Given the current weather, when I look at those sprues, I am thinking you have a sled runner on backwards....Latest snowstorm hit here last night, so should be in Toronto any time now...

How about a Rapido Turbo bobsled?

[MK]

There will always be uninformed and ignorant people in the world.

[Chris333]

Let's see how long it takes for someone to comment that we should make our trains in the USA. We were even called traitors on our YouTube channel because we make models in China. I let that one go through. I've had to delete hundreds of other comments for racism/profanity.

-Jason

Funny because the majority of toy trains we all play with are made the same exact way. The only difference is you made a video showing it.

[nuno81291]

Yes the general demographics of model railroading can be obtuse... perhaps they can purchase a Concor “special run”. I own a handful of HO rapido and appreciate the great work your team does Jason. I’m sure these turbos will live up to the brand name... wonderful engineering and production. My f40ph and 8600s are phenomenal

[peteski]

That's right.

In our factory tour video from September I visit one of the mould shops and you see the EDM process live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka7LC1jia64

Let's see how long it takes for someone to comment that we should make our trains in the USA. We were even called traitors on our YouTube channel because we make models in China. I let that one go through. I've had to delete hundreds of other comments for racism/profanity.

-Jason

Thanks Jason! I love this kind of stuff.

As far as the made in China thing goes, we can't turn back time - the globalization is here and there is no way to put the Pandora back in the box.  It is not perfect (language barrier, cultural difference, and unfamiliarity of the Chinese engineers with the American trains can cause design issues), but it is what it is and we have to make the best of it. How I wish that all the models (wherever they are manufactured) were assembled as fastidiously as they were made decades ago by the female factory workers in Germany (think Fleischmann, Roco, Arnold, or Minitrix quality). That craftsmanship seems to also be gone, but again, we have to be happy with what we have (or just keep buying used old models from those "good ol' times"). 

[wmcbride]

That's right.

In our factory tour video from September I visit one of the mould shops and you see the EDM process live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka7LC1jia64

Let's see how long it takes for someone to comment that we should make our trains in the USA. We were even called traitors on our YouTube channel because we make models in China. I let that one go through. I've had to delete hundreds of other comments for racism/profanity.

-Jason

I always look forward to your newsletters and videos. I hate to say this but I can think of two HO engines I didn't really need (who does really) for my switiching that I bought because I laughed so much at your stuff.

Have you thought of just disabling the comment feature on the YouTube videos?