N Scale Hi Rail - Retro Hollow Core Door Layout

[peteski]

You can't change out that HO size front coupler?     But, that will partially destroy the retroness. 

What we have there is a perfectly sized N scale Rapido coupler.   

[Doug G.]

The oft denigrated Rapido coupler is a big part of N scale's early success.

Doug

[peteski]

The oft denigrated Rapido coupler is a big part of N scale's early success.

Doug

. . . and it is still widely used outside of the knuckle-country (USA).   

[Rich_S]

. . . and id is still widely used outside of the knuckle-country (USA).   

So very true. I follow a couple of British N gauge (1:148 scale on 9 mm track) YouTube layout build blogs and many folks in the UK and on the Continent still use the Rapido coupler.  Here in North America we adopted the Micro-Trains and MT compatibles as they closely resemble the Janney Knuckle coupler in use here by the prototype railroads, but in the UK and other parts of Europe three link and screw type couplers were common on railroad equipment. The Rapido N scale coupler was a easy to manufacture and functional replacement for these types of couplings on N scale / N gauge locomotives and rolling stock.
   

[OldEastRR]

Would it be possible to wire in  some blackened metal pick-up wipers or shoes on the bottom of the cylinders and the cab that would slide along the rails and thus give a longer wheelbase for current pick-up? Sure they might be noticeable but for the ability to run through long switches it'd be a great trade-off.

[wm3798]

Some hastily patched power has been added to the Laurel Valley fleet, thanks again to the @DKS collection.



No time for the full paint shop treatment, there's tonnage to move!

Lee

[MK]

To match the retro era, for grins, you should do the road name with an old fashion Dymo label maker. 

[nkalanaga]

"You can't change out that HO size front coupler?"

In the late 60s there was a serious suggestion that the Rapido be made the standard coupler in HO scale, to replace that train-set monstrosity they then used.  It would have been strange, yet quite practical, that two different scales would use the same coupler!

[wm3798]

It's gettin' steamy around here!

[OldEastRR]

The wagontop boxcar is a '60s product?

[wazzou]

The wagontop boxcar is a '60s product?

Touché

[wm3798]

No, but these sure as h*ck are!


1st generation Arnold-Rapido FA2.  Both arrived today.  One needed some love, the previous owner soaked it with oil, which fouled the brushes.  When i opened the box it literally smelled like hot oil...  took it apart, soaked the PC board in soapy water to get all the oil out, then gently greased the big brass gears and motor bearings and got it running pretty well.
They are in "original" condition, paint wise, again, one slightly better than the other.  I think I'll leave the good one be, and redo the other as an early WM fireball unit.

And just to satisfy the purists, I have a set of ancient Northeast Decals I'll work with to effect the redecorating.

But for now, I'm having fun watching these beasts do their tricks.

Lee

[Point353]

1st generation Arnold-Rapido FA2.  Both arrived today.
But for now, I'm having fun watching these beasts do their tricks.

My sample arrived a half-century ago as part of an Arnold-Rapido freight set, purchased with gift money during a post-holiday sale at a local Caldor discount store.
These locos are smooth runners and their cast metal shell gives them great pulling power without resorting to traction tires.   
http://davidksmith.com/birth-of-n/arnold-us-68-55.htm

[Doug G.]

I got two of the PC ones not too long ago and the employee who applied the "PC" worm decal on the front of one of them must have thought the "P" was supposed to be vertical so the decal is at an angle. Got past QC, I guess, if there WAS a QC department.

Doug

[nkalanaga]

I didn't remember, if I ever noticed, that the nose herald was a decal.  Mine, also 50 years ago, was quickly repainted GN. 

Interesting that Arnold had the same idea as Kato, on their GN boxcar and PA-1 for Con-Cor.  Both of those had three-color heralds done as decals.  I still have the boxcar, and it still looks good enough that I keep it in service.