The Rapido NSC Centerbeam Cars Have Arrived

[bbussey]

I am having the same problem with most of my 5092 boxcars from NARC.  Many of the cars will not remain coupled due to the couplers remaining open.  This is particularly maddening given that NARC went to the trouble and expense of having Micro-Trains assemble the couplers prior to shipping them to the factory in China producing the models.

Sounds as if the coupler screws are too tight. It is true, due to MTL coupler boxes molded in slippery acetyl plastic, that the coupler boxes will shift out of alignment if the screws are not tight enough. Unfortunately, tightening the screws enough to stop the boxes from pivoting is enough to prevent the coupler knuckles from operating as designed. Which is something that model designers should account for by adding embossed stops on the coupler pads adjacent to or behind the coupler boxes to prevent them from rotating. Or, integrate the coupler pocket into the floor/underframe component. The pivoting coupler boxes and/or non-functioning couplers is a model design flaw, not an MTL coupler flaw. From day one, the Kadee/MTL coupler components have been molded in acetyl plastic. Obviously an integrated coupler pocket cannot be molded in acetyl plastic (in most circumstances). We compensate on ESM models by not painting the inside of the coupler pocket. If an MTL coupler sticks on an ESM model, the coupler screw is too tight.

Adding embossed stops formed from Evergreen styrene strip will prevent the coupler box from pivoting. Adding a small dab of Goo on the coupler pad also prevents the spin. I usually add both in this situation, so that the coupler screws don’t need to be over-torqued to keep the coupler box aligned.

[BCR 570]

No issue with the coupler box rotating; issue is the draft gear remaining open.  I have tried backing off the screws to no avail.

Tim

[peteski]

I am having the same problem with most of my 5092 boxcars from NARC.  Many of the cars will not remain coupled due to the couplers remaining open.  This is particularly maddening given that NARC went to the trouble and expense of having Micro-Trains assemble the couplers prior to shipping them to the factory in China producing the models.

Bryan mentioned earlier:

Swapping in true MTL couplers and springs (and modifying/removing the black air hose) might resolve those issues.  Regarding the coupler stiffness, might be able to get away with swapping in an MTL replacement spring.  Although I'm not enamored with the 1980s retro non-blackened trip pins either.

I guess I'm confused.  So does Rapido use genuine MTL couplers, or are those knock-off couplers that just look like MTL?

[bbussey]

No issue with the coupler box rotating; issue is the draft gear remaining open.  I have tried backing off the screws to no avail.

I would look at the spring next.  It's either not seated properly or too weak.

Bryan mentioned earlier:
I guess I'm confused.  So does Rapido use genuine MTL couplers, or are those knock-off couplers that just look like MTL?

NARC uses genuine MTL couplers.  Rapido uses clones that they tooled internally.

[peteski]

Thanks!
I guess I didn't that we changed discussion to NARC cars. Oops!

[mu26aeh]

Columbus Trainmaster lumber load guy has posted Rapido Centerbeam loads are now available

[ednadolski]

Columbus Trainmaster lumber load guy has posted Rapido Centerbeam loads are now available

Where do you find/order those from?

[mu26aeh]

His name is John Haverstock, he can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Columbustrainmaster .  He was also selling on ebay but I don't see any right now.  Various retailers came up in a search, including N scale Supply, PWRS, trainz etc.  His email is listed on the FB site as jhaverstoc at aol dot com .  After reading a few comments recently on his page, it seems the loads he's produced for the Red Caboose cars fit the Rapido cars as well if I understand correctly.  He has a ton of different companies available from different time frames/logos and up to 6 variations for each company.  Full wraps, partial wraps, torn/missing wraps.

[bman]

Here's a link to John's ebay store. There's a few different lumber loads in both HO and N. On his Facebook page folks have been sending him photos of the existing loads installed on the Rapido centerbeams. They are reported to fit well.
I have yet to order any of the Rapido cars as I missed pre-ordering them and am now late to that party. I may just live with the few RC cars I have I don't need many for what I model from what I can see from videos.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/columbustrainmaster

[Scottl]

I've been making my own with the patterns from http://vanderheide.ca/blog/lumber-loads/.

[ednadolski]

I've been making my own with the patterns from http://vanderheide.ca/blog/lumber-loads/.

Would you have any pic(s) to share?

TIA, Ed

[Scottl]

Can't grab a photo, my layout room is closed off with household stuff while our windows are replaced.  I'll snap a shot in a few days for you.

[ljudice]

Just to confirm, Columbus Trainmaster loads fit perfectly - I got mine on ebay....

[Scottl]

@ednadolski Here is a homemade load with the template files.  I used balsa strips for the bundles cut to length to fit the car.  To simulate the individual bundles, I made partial cuts at appropriate locations (16, 12, 10, 8' bundles) into the balsa and inserted two paper ends so it looks like there is a break.  I glued each balsa layer together and it makes a load that fits the RC or the Rapido car (seen here).  The irregularity of the bundles is more realistic to my eye than the commercial offerings that are basically a monolithic load. 

I have a magnet on the back so it stays on the car with a load on the back side.  I will add black strapping at some point but for now this might be enough.

[ednadolski]

Thanks for posting, @Scottl, those bundles look really good!   I guess the balsa is 3/16" x 5/16" or so?

Ed