Rapido Dash 8-40CM

[Wutter]

Does anyone have a picture of what the DC/DCC ready board on the inside looks like?

Just curious if its a Next18 plug, 6 pin NEM or something else?

[wmcbride]

I haven't opened mine but the Rapido website says Next18 plug:

https://rapidotrains.com/products/n-scale/diesel-locomotives/n-scale-dash-8-40cm-draper-taper

[prr7161]

They weren't able to gear the middle wheel so they must've added the traction tyre to compensate for it. The middle wheel does pick up power though.

I have to say that's a real head-scratcher.  All-geared C-C N-scale locos have been around forever.  What is different about this loco that would prevent all wheels from receiving power?

[u18b]

I’m not convinced these have really been released yet...... since I haven’t seen any Railwire pictures yet.
 

[Mark5]

I have to say that's a real head-scratcher.  All-geared C-C N-scale locos have been around forever.  What is different about this loco that would prevent all wheels from receiving power?

The Dofasco trucks have a really short wheelbase (the axles are closer together than on most "C" trucks) - maybe that was the prohibitive factor.

[peteski]

I have to say that's a real head-scratcher.  All-geared C-C N-scale locos have been around forever.  What is different about this loco that would prevent all wheels from receiving power?

Doesn't some cottage industry make those trucks, 3D printed and with all axles powered, using existing gears?

I think the designers of the model are the difference. And cost (reduced complexity).  Maybe the wheelbase is shorted, but since the gears are also molded by the manufacturer, that should not be a problem. Just look at the modern Kato 3-axle trucks with 3 very very fine plastic idler gears between axles.  With just one of those between axles (of whatever diameter is needed would likely do the trick.  I really think the designers took a shortcut. It could be as well due to the budgetary restraints.

Time and time again I see new models releases with some parts of their designs taking step backwards as far as technological advancement goes.  Things line inside bearings, wheel wiper electric pickups, traction tires are few such examples.  It boggles the mind.

Of course in the ideal world, every model company would have an unlimited design and production budgets and staff of only Karo-caliber designers and mold makers.

[kevlarcat]

Got my two finally.  The trucks were in both of mine.  Haven't really noticed any difference with it having traction tires, but it is odd to have it in this big heavy model and the not the gmd-1's I have from them.

Sound is great, the drivetrain was a bit noisy at first but quieted down after break-in. Detail is amazing too.

Only thing is both of them I could not get the reverse light to work on F13.  Didn't look too far into it yet so I won't blame them yet, just wondering if anyone else had that issue?

One quick shot for now [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[wmcbride]

I've run mine a little and was dismayed that it seemed to have the Broadway Limited power cutout / restart the prime mover problem. I had just cleaned my test track with contact cleaner so I was thinking "Oh no!"

That was yesterday.

Today it ran like a dream; no connection issues or sound dropouts. The sound is really outstanding -- I mean really well done.

This loco is quite heavy and to echo kevlarcat, I am not sure why it needed a traction tire.

I am happy I bought mine.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

They have arrived at ModelTrainStuff: https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/search?search_query_adv#/filter:custom_scale:N/perpage:96/sort:sortable_date_created:desc/filter:custom_scale:Multi

[spookshow]

FYI, the instructions are wrong about the rear lights. They turn on and off with F12, not F13.

-Mark

[Narlie]

Been trying my 2 units for the last 3 weeks. They both perform per instructions. No problem with F12 and F13.
Great sound !

[sd75i]

  They are superb to me!  Wish I could by a dozen more!

[edge8300]

I've received my 7 from Hogtrainz, I have not run any yet as I'm between houses (layouts) but they are pretty stunning models to look at from a paint and detail standpoint. 

[BCR 570]

A friend stopped by with one of these yesterday so I had an opportunity to examine one and take it for a test run:




Rapido has done a very good job with these.  The appearance is excellent and a step forward from the last N Scale loco of theirs I have seen (GMD-1).  The class lights have already been referred to but they are a minor glitch in comparison to the overall appearance of the model.

The engine ran very well right out of the box, with all functions performing well.  A few minor points:
- The horn is latched, and it is more common convention to have it non-latched, which is easily fixed.
- The horn is a K3 so needs to be changed to a K5LA for BC Rail, which is mentioned in the instructions.
- The ditch lights and rock lights are noticeably fainter than the headlight due to their smaller size; making them brighter would likely require a resistor change.

A very welcome addition to the N Scale locomotive market, with the VIA F40PHs yet to come.

Tim

[peteski]

The engine ran very well right out of the box, with all functions performing well.  A few minor points:
- The horn is latched, and it is more common convention to have it non-latched, which is easily fixed.
- The horn is a K3 so needs to be changed to a K5LA for BC Rail, which is mentioned in the instructions.
- The ditch lights and rock lights are noticeably fainter than the headlight due to their smaller size; making them brighter would likely require a resistor change.

A very welcome addition to the N Scale locomotive market, with the VIA F40PHs yet to come.

Tim

Whether a function is latched or not is determined in the command station (not in the decoder).  Per NMRA, North American DCC systems by default assign F2. as a horn activation button.  That is non-latching (within the throttle/command station).  Some systems (like NCE) have separate F2 and Horn buttons. Both buttons activate F2, but the dedicated F2 button is latching while the Horn button is non-latching.  But both work the F2 function.  I do not believe that any other function activation buttons on throttles can be configured to be non-latching on most DCC systems.

I don't own this model and I'm curious why the horn is latching.  Is it not assigned to F2?  That is the only explanation that seems to make sense to me.