Rapido and N scale

[peteski]

Don't get me started about the hoarders. Collector is just a euphemism for hoarder in this hobby.  They only "collect" long enough to jack the price up.  These people are bad enough but the ones that really pee me off are the ones that pay those ridiculous prices.    If they wouldn't pay those prices, the hoarders would be SOL and rightfully so, in my opinion. 

Doug

Tell us how you really feel Doug, don't hold back. 

---Signed: Peteski the Collector Hoarder (Yes, I buy all the models I can afford, just to jack their prices up  )

[lock4244]

Some other of my terrific ideas are .

TOFC trailers with Canadian trucking company's . You could milk that for ever and cover many eras  . A Puddy specialty .

If you have any unique TOFC flats , those would be wanted .

Canadian made MOW crew cars could be utilized to give N a better mix .

Canadian specific tank cars of many eras .

I like this guy... wise beyond all measure. Especially the first and second suggestions 

[Angus Shops]

I haven't pre ordered anything yet, but I would absolutely pre order that Canadian when it's announced, and the FP's to go with it.

Up to now there haven't been too many models that I've felt that I couldn't live without. I'm lucky enough to have a good LHS, and any product that I really need seems to appear there as it becomes available. I've also been in the hobby long enough to have developed a deal of patience; I've waited for decades for the Canadian and have had several different kit bashed versions of it over the years. My current version, built with modified Con Cor cars, is the best yet and will do until Rapido comes through with my personal Holy Grail.

Geoff

[Big Train]

The thing of it is....Rapido is probably the only manufacturer that will produce uniquely Canadian equipment. I doubt vey much there will ever be a Royal Hudson or a CNR Northern with Vanderbilt tender ever made by Kato, Atlas, or Bachmann. And that's not to mention Canadian rolling stock from Micro-Trains or Atlas. I'm grateful Micro-Trains still maintains a policy of producing a Canadian release every month. As well as Atlas mostly.
The best we "Canukians" can ever do (or have ever done) it take US or Japanese steam locomotives and make a "kinda, sorta, well close-enough-for-government-work" compromise unless we adapt and modify to Canadianize them.

Hopefully, our American cousins can learn to like Canadian prototype N scale.  After all, the beer is better here.

Hey, look!...we started a "Canadian Corner"....

[Scottl]

The problem with selling US prototypes, compared to Canadian is the myriad of railroads and models.  Even though the overall market is larger (about 10 times, all things being equal), it breaks down pretty finely, as evidenced with regularity on these pages.  Hence, the actual audience for a K4, or a BN GP39, or a X-type-Y passenger car is actually modest, if not outright small in many cases.

Rapido is a smallish company that serves a specific kind of target audience.  I would say they do this very well and I would encourage them to stay focused on their business plan.  Let the US regional market dictate what is viable and similar companies emerge to serve it.  ESM is an example (in my view) that is focused and executes well in that kind of framework.  Others exist or will emerge if there is demand, notwithstanding the majors that serve this diverse market quite well (MT and Atlas). Other larger companies like FVM and Kato frequently play more regional roles, often offering prototypes of some specific interest to their designers or clientele and variations that make use of existing tooling.  Some call that bias.  In my opinion, it is just smart business.

Rapido was not really on my radar before the GMD-1 announcement, but now they are.  Looking forward to more releases in N scale.

[NYNE]

Signed up for the newsletter and looking forward to receiving them.

[R L Smith]

Signed up for the newsletter and looking forward to receiving them.

+1

[VonRyan]

Valid points Dave; in HO we just delivered the GATX wooden meat reefer - a US prototype. We're the manufacturer of the HO Osgood Bradley coaches and smokers too. We're looking at a wide range of projects and not all of them are Canadian prototypes, although clearly that is our primary focus.

I shell out major ducats for woodside ice reefers.

You bring prototypically correct reefers to market in N, with working ice hatches, and schemes that no one has done before, you will get my attention.

The major selling point is the ice hatches. If they no work, I no buy.
Atlas did an excellent job on theirs. You may want to emulate their design.

[lock4244]

Well, I just ordered my two... one NAR and one CN 1600 series.

The 1400 and 1900 series release will be a little more painful.

[Scottl]

I love the NAR paint scheme and it holds a soft spot in my heart from days watching trains in my youth at the NAR yard in Edmonton. 

[lock4244]

It'll go well with the three NAR GP9's I have (for no particular reason).

[Scottl]

The geeps look great too.   So, um, planning on modelling northern Alberta?   

[lock4244]

Southern Ontario, late 1980's. I have a difficult time saying no to certain things, though 

[cjjd6901]

 

Southern Ontario, late 1980's. I have a difficult time saying no to certain things, though 

   If Someone would please produce a GP40-2W or such widecab geeps with a regional line or two per release I imagine that they will go fast!  Yes, Canadian beer tastes better,  crude oil is sweeter, et al BUT what about the bacon issue?  Release the geeps and I will overlook that irony.

   chris

[pjm20]

Aside from a K4 ( ) and other Pennsy Steam, I would enjoy a  Budd stainless steel Senator/Congressional consist.  Maybe that's too specialized, though.

Please God (and Rapido)!