Rapido Trains - New GP20

[SD452XR]

Seven of mine came damaged too. Both ends where dislodged and the end platform is bent. I've bought quite a few things in the past including the Canadian. I'm disappointed in Rapido. Their quality control is terrible. For how expensive their models are, this is getting tiring. Tired of sending stuff back or having to modify just to get it to run properly. I'm done buying from them. Never have issues with Kato or other manufactures to the same extent as Rapido.

Has anyone noticed any gauge issues? Over half of my wheels are out of gauge (too narrow).   

[peteski]

Has anyone noticed any gauge issues? Over half of my wheels are out of gauge (too narrow).   

Actually this is a common problem with many manufacturers. I have seen  Atlas, Kato, BLI, Bachmann locos have wheels too narrow in gauge.   Small consolation, but I figured I would mention that.

[SD452XR]

Locomotive wheels are commonly out of gauge. I agree. I always adjust mine. Simple enough.

Are these metal wheels adjustable that rapido uses? I did swap out the rapido wheels with some from Tangent. I did have to remove the little brake plastic piece first. The tangent wheels look better and are in spec. A note to people that bought these, the plastic brake piece is not glued inside the truck. Its only snaps in. Could be a problem if it were to fall out on the layout.

[peteski]

Locomotive wheels are commonly out of gauge. I agree. I always adjust mine. Simple enough.

Are these metal wheels adjustable that rapido uses? I did swap out the rapido wheels with some from Tangent. I did have to remove the little brake plastic piece first. The tangent wheels look better and are in spec. A note to people that bought these, the plastic brake piece is not glued inside the truck. Its only snaps in. Could be a problem if it were to fall out on the layout.

I did not know that Tangent made 40" locomotive wheels.

I only own FL9 from Rapido, and that one uses trucks with inside bearings, so those are not easily swapped with any of the standard "low friction" wheelsets used by Atlas or Kato.  But Rapido wheelsets can be adjusted (widened).

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Anyone else having issues with the Rapido invoice payment links?

[SD452XR]

I did not know that Tangent made 40" locomotive wheels.

I only own FL9 from Rapido, and that one uses trucks with inside bearings, so those are not easily swapped with any of the standard "low friction" wheelsets used by Atlas or Kato.  But Rapido wheelsets can be adjusted (widened).

Sorry, I meant I swapped the wheels on the tank cars with Tangent wheels. Locomotive wheels are no problem to adjust. The metal wheels that come on the tank cars, I'm not sure those can be adjusted. These are the first metal wheels I have had that were out of gauge. The only other problem I ever had was with a few Fox Valley that had the wobbly wheel.

[ljudice]

fwiw, my car did not have a gauge issue...

[ai5629]

Seven of mine came damaged too. Both ends where dislodged and the end platform is bent. I've bought quite a few things in the past including the Canadian. I'm disappointed in Rapido. Their quality control is terrible. For how expensive their models are, this is getting tiring. Tired of sending stuff back or having to modify just to get it to run properly. I'm done buying from them. Never have issues with Kato or other manufactures to the same extent as Rapido.

Has anyone noticed any gauge issues? Over half of my wheels are out of gauge (too narrow).   

I just received two shrink wrapped six packs, and damage is clearly visible on the top two cars you can see.  Bent piping, end platforms sheared off and random parts in box.  Emailed the online store to see if I can open the shrink wrap and return just the damaged cars, or if I have to return all six since that is how they were purchased.  It is disappointing as I had high hopes since these as they require no work (do not need to add any additional lettering, body mounts or metal wheels) to make them road worthy.  I am starting to believe realistic looking tank cars cannot be done in N scale.  At least not ones suitable for the 1980’s.  Thanks.

Jeff

[Jbub]

I just opened my 6 modern type that I ordered from Lombard. THESE ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, good job Rapido!!!!! @rapidotrains Jason, your guys deserve kudo's on these. Nothing was broken and the packaging that Lombard sent them in was very robust. They wrapped all six cars in a couple layers of bubble wrap and then put it is a box big enough to put packing paper around the goods on all sides.
I highly doubt that the issues that we are seeing came from the factory that way. Shipping companies are horrendously violent with packages.

[ai5629]

I purchased from N Scale Supply.  Each six pack was shrink wrapped together.  Cars were put in a LARGE box with A LOT of packing peanuts and shipped UPS.  I believe mine were factory damage, not carrier damage.  I will inspect tonight or tomorrow to fully assess the damage.  NSS wants me to open the cars and determine how many I need to return.  Thanks.

Jeff

[milw156]

I just picked one up from Hiawatha Hobbies where they were in the process of unpacking and marking them, so I was able to inspect what I was buying. None of the several different schemes I looked at had any visible damage. I had to do some major repair work on 2 Trainworx flexivan flats one of which had a destroyed coupler box, as well as the knuckle, converted it to True scale, glued the railings back in place, problem fixed. These are beautiful, heavy, and mine at least rolls well. Very happy with it.
     I gather from previous post that these cars would have most likely originated at shipper north of the border (always???). What are some likely commodities that would likely end up in the upper midwest for the purpose of car waybills???

[peteski]

Sorry, I meant I swapped the wheels on the tank cars with Tangent wheels. Locomotive wheels are no problem to adjust. The metal wheels that come on the tank cars, I'm not sure those can be adjusted. These are the first metal wheels I have had that were out of gauge. The only other problem I ever had was with a few Fox Valley that had the wobbly wheel.

It depends on the type of tools you have at your disposal.  Most wheels are press-fit onto the axle, so if you have small arbor press (or maybe even a drill press), and make a fixture, you should be able to adjust the gauge.  That is for the wheels that is not insulated.  The insulated wheels can probably be adjusted without a need for the arbor press.

But like you said, Tangent wheels (or FVM wheels if you happen to have them)  look better than Rapido  wheels. That is important on a car like a tank car where wheels are quite visible.

[bbussey]

Mine arrived today, thankfully without damage.  I didn't care for the wheels so I swapped in ESM wheels.

[ai5629]

I purchased from N Scale Supply.  Each six pack was shrink wrapped together.  Cars were put in a LARGE box with A LOT of packing peanuts and shipped UPS.  I believe mine were factory damage, not carrier damage.  I will inspect tonight or tomorrow to fully assess the damage.  NSS wants me to open the cars and determine how many I need to return.  Thanks.

Jeff

I opened the twelve cars I ordered and found issues with every car.  These ranged from the dome, drain and various end platforms sitting unattached in the jewel case to broken end platforms, railings, placards and brakewheels.  I feel that six of the twelve cars can be salvaged with a little bit of work (gluing on the domes, drains and end platforms).  The other six are simply broken beyond repair.  I have a refund request sent for the six broken cars, and I hope it goes without incident.  I feel bad about having to return these cars, but for what you pay, Rapido needs to deliver what they advertise.  In the case of the cars I received, I feel they did not.  Thank you.

Jeff

[mu26aeh]

From what I've heard, the culprit is the glue they used ( or did not use) at the factory