N Scale Rapido RTL Turboliner

[EL3632]

Just announced is the Rapido Trains N Scale RTL Turboliner:
https://rapidotrains.com/n-scale/complete-train-78/rtl-turboliner.html

Also announced in this video:

Announced schemes in Phase III Early, Phase III Late, and Phase V, with extra cars.

Just like HO this is a conditional release, I hope they get made, as I model the Adirondack in 1981, so I need one of the early scheme units.

[kscessandriver]

I'll be in for at least one... If not two, for no particular reason other than they're cool.

[learmoia]

HOLY SH*T  I'M in for 1!!!!

[High Hood]

Do I need one? No.

Is it cool? Yes.

[crencs]

I'm definitely in for one Phase III.  I remember watching them go by Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park while I was there in the 80's. 

[Lemosteam]

Begin rant:

Prior to this portion of the announcement, was a Rapido cry for N Scalers to “spend more money”  and they would make more N Scale product.

Let’s just say I was disappointed in that.

Their penchant for producing (albeit) cool trains, instead of boring rolling stock is difficult to choke down.

There are several HO models they recently released that I would much rather spend $300+ bucks on than a train set, including several PRR prototypes that are not mass produced today.

U25, RS11,and other Diesel engines, PRR GLa, X31, F30, utlx X-3 tank car, X72, 52’-6” mill gons, usra clone boxcars, gatx meat refers, just to name a few.

Calls for their release in N Scale went ignored without so much as a single word.

Maybe stop focusing on gimmickry and produce meaningful N Scale models.

Rant over

[dem34]

While I am seeing some hype from a couple associated modellers, particularly ones that modeled the areas these ran. It really is a little bit of a head scratcher that the "hip" MFGs keep doing this in N. 
It is unfortunately a model of a train set that only really ran on one service, which wouldn't be too crazy if it wasn't a conditional release with an MSRP of $645.

And well, I have asked about this before in places like Discord and FB and I always get crickets or confusion. Like the project lead for B39-8 was just incredulous that a locomotive that was rare and relegated almost entirely to MOW work didn't hit sales goals somehow chocked it up to a shrinking market even after I nudged about how people simply want high fidelity models of common equipment that has become the norm in HO.

[mu26aeh]

Begin rant:

Prior to this portion of the announcement, was a Rapido cry for N Scalers to “spend more money”  and they would make more N Scale product.

Let’s just say I was disappointed in that.

Their penchant for producing (albeit) cool trains, instead of boring rolling stock is difficult to choke down.

There are several HO models they recently released that I would much rather spend $300+ bucks on than a train set, including several PRR prototypes that are not mass produced today.

U25, RS11,and other Diesel engines, PRR GLa, X31, F30, utlx X-3 tank car, X72, 52’-6” mill gons, usra clone boxcars, Gary meat refers, just to name a few.

Calls for their release in N Scale went ignored without so much as a single word.

Maybe stop focusing on gimmickry and produce meaningful N Scale models.

Rant over

I have 1 of the SP boxcars on pre-order as I photographed 1 here in Gettysburg, PA on the sub I model in the last year or 2, I might pick up another if the LHS has more on the shelf.  Not sure how many they ordered.  When they announced the Sodium Chlorate cars in HO, I commented on their FB page that they need to produce that car in N scale.  A friend of mine (as well as few other TRW members) recently was hired in their product development department.  When he first told me, he said that I'm not allowed to bug him about work.  I said I will only ask one thing at this time, get the SC cars done in N scale !  If you model modern paper mills, the car is a requirement.  So let them know we want that car in N scale !

[kiwi_al]

While I am seeing some hype from a couple associated modellers, particularly ones that modeled the areas these ran. It really is a little bit of a head scratcher that the "hip" MFGs keep doing this in N. 
It is unfortunately a model of a train set that only really ran on one service, which wouldn't be too crazy if it wasn't a conditional release with an MSRP of $645.

And well, I have asked about this before in places like Discord and FB and I always get crickets or confusion. Like the project lead for B39-8 was just incredulous that a locomotive that was rare and relegated almost entirely to MOW work didn't hit sales goals somehow chocked it up to a shrinking market even after I nudged about how people simply want high fidelity models of common equipment that has become the norm in HO.

oof that's  $1033.00 in my money. Did they ever produce the UAC Turbotrain in N scale? - I can't see it on their product list

[kscessandriver]

oof that's  $1033.00 in my money. Did they ever produce the UAC Turbotrain in N scale? - I can't see it on their product list

Yes, IIRC it came out in the 2018 timeframe.

[dem34]

oof that's  $1033.00 in my money. Did they ever produce the UAC Turbotrain in N scale? - I can't see it on their product list

They did I think around 2018. I had one for a brief period, that was around $380 NIB from the LHS. Sold it to pay for Fasttracks Fixtures. If the RTLs are atleast the same quality it would be a great model, but its still a steep ask if they are hoping to cash in on the "cool to have" crowd.

[learmoia]

Announced schemes in Phase III Early, Phase III Late, and Phase V, with extra cars.
I hope they get made, as I model the Adirondack in 1981, so I need one of the early scheme units.

What is the year of Transition from Phase 3 early to Phase 3 late?... I rode one when I was 5ish (in 1984 or 1985) from NYC to Rochester, NY..

~Ian

[ljudice]

One can only assume they have calculated that trainsets are a more profitable product in N-scale.

They won't be getting my money - that's for sure...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It is a neat model, but it falls into a weird valley for me.

Is it something I could see myself having and even fit into my NCR layout? Possibly. But it's at a price point where it's not an impulse "ooh, that's neat" type purchase.

But is it a "must have"? No way.

Of all of the HO models they have that would immediately get me to open my wallet, they chose to do this. I don't get it.

[basementcalling]

I'm sure Rapido has their reasons for choosing this prototype, and I wish them well selling out the run simply so they can choose another niche product to offer a market.

Maybe they have seen ST be successful selling 1 off models like the UP Turbines, or multiple companies selling out runs of Challengers and Big Boys, or Kato selling AMTRAK and passenger sets, or maybe it's something else, but they seem to misjudge the N scale market in my mind. I agree completely with @Lemosteam .

I have 6 of the SP Boxcars reserved, and would love to buy more. I have 6 of the GP20 tank cars reserved too. Both were excellent choices for much needed prototypes N scalers need to represent post 1980s railroading.

It's a niche product that only ran in a small geographic area, which sadly seems to be the pattern for major Rapido releases in N.

N scalers are not industry welfare spenders. It's not our obligation to buy what companies make, especially at a time when inflation is probably eating substantial holes into every modeler's budget.