Rapido N Scale Announcements - July 2024

[pedro]

That was my question, too.

So you are saying the model offered will be the one modified by BN in 1973-74? To get rid of the additional heater/power car?

The model offered by Rapido would have been pulled by green BN E8 and E9 locos in the real world, right?

Did BN already have a cab car? And how many cars do you need for prototypical length?

Cheers

   Javier

Addendum: When was the "Metra" added to the BN cars?

The model as offered would have been pulled by BN E8/E9Ms until their retirement in 1991/92, when the F40PHMs replaced them. Cab cars started under the CB&Q, so were already in use by the time of the BN merger.

Train lengths are between 6 to 11 cars in the post-80s Metra era. Shorter trains ran off-peak schedules in earlier eras.

Any of the BNSF cars should be mixed with Nippon-Sharyo cars offered by Kato. First were the ADA coaches starting about 1996, then the cab cars in the early 2000s. By the time of the “swoosh” all of the Budd cab cars were stripped of controls, with the windows plated over eventually, and used as normal coaches.

The BNSF cars with “BNSF Railway” and “Burlington” lettering started about 2013. The lettering was applied to the remaining ex-CB&Q cars at 14th street at the behest of the then-BNSF suburban terminal manager (and railfan/modeler.)

“Metra” branding began in 1984/85 with the reorganization of the RTA.

[djsmeltzer]

The model as offered would have been pulled by BN E8/E9Ms until their retirement in 1991/92, when the F40PHMs replaced them. Cab cars started under the CB&Q, so were already in use by the time of the BN merger.

Train lengths are between 6 to 11 cars in the post-80s Metra era. Shorter trains ran off-peak schedules in earlier eras.

Any of the BNSF cars should be mixed with Nippon-Sharyo cars offered by Kato. First were the ADA coaches starting about 1996, then the cab cars in the early 2000s. By the time of the “swoosh” all of the Budd cab cars were stripped of controls, with the windows plated over eventually, and used as normal coaches.

The BNSF cars with “BNSF Railway” and “Burlington” lettering started about 2013. The lettering was applied to the remaining ex-CB&Q cars at 14th street at the behest of the then-BNSF suburban terminal manager (and railfan/modeler.)

“Metra” branding began in 1984/85 with the reorganization of the RTA.

Another thing to note is the cab cars look like they will all have the modern light packages.  In HO they tooled up multiple versions, but for N it looks from the artwork like they are just using the one.  The main differences are the placement of the red marker lights and the presence of ditch lights.  So these won't be 100% correct for any with the BN markings if I remember correctly.  Still, much better than the ConCor cars that are the current best option for RTR.

[nkalanaga]

Angus Shops:  Thank you, but, since my actual modeling time is limited, I doubt that I'd ever finish it!

[craigolio1]

Angus Shops:  Thank you, but, since my actual modeling time is limited, I doubt that I'd ever finish it!

I’ve purchased a couple of Rapido Canadian sets to get individual cars I needed, and had no issues quickly selling the remaining cars. It’s a cumbersome way to get a r-t-r Chateau but it is an option.

Craig

[CNR5529]

There were also the add-on packs that only had 3 cars, 1 chateau, 1 manor and 1 coach. It will make it easier to sell off 2 cars in individual jewel cases.

[nkalanaga]

That add-on pack might be more useful.  As long as these have been out, I doubt if any are still available.

I have no experience buying Rapido products.  My sole passenger car is a CN coach, bought from N Scale Supply.  Naturally, they don't have any CP sets left.

I don't really NEED one.  But Amtrak did lease some of these during 1973/74, so I could stick one in my Montana train.  I never say a CP car in the Empire Builder, in Pasco, but also didn't see most of the trains, especially in the winter.

[OldEastRR]

I'm not asking for a diner or a whole string of NH cars (like they did for HO, just like that), just a parlor car. NH modelers will only buy one, you say? Hmmm ... you must not be familiar with prototypical NH passenger trains. There were more than one on most NH trains, plus for a kitbasher the parlor serves as a good starting point for the NH baggage/parlor/lounges, Baggage/lounges, drawing room/parlor cars, parlor/lounge car, since they all share the same door and window arrangement -- the coach doesn't. The exteriors of these cars (except for the combine) all look  alike (on some, a window is blocked),  and even if the interiors on modified cars isn't correct, who can see them? The thing is those GD sloped-end roofs Pullman built ONLY for the NH! Even using car sides to make the above cars, fabbing that curved ribbed roof is a pain (please don't tell me to buy a 3D printer and learn all the complexities of CAD drawing and etc).

And yes, I mentioned all these reasons to Rapido several times, but the first and only answer I got was "Well, maybe someday we'll make them!"  Meanwhile I'm just watching and waiting for them to make HO versions of the NH grill cars and boattail obs, because I'm pretty sure there will be a "someday" for their production.

Meanwhile, for N scalers who do the UP, SP, NYC, PRR (modern and heavyweight), SF, CB&Q, Amtrak passenger trains, all they have to do is buy the premade cars for the trains you want -- just like HO guys get to do for their trains. Parity!