Tuning up your Rapido FP9A N scale

[Narlie]

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Excellent video!

Dave B

[jjb62556]

Did this to mine and it made a BIG difference. Wheels keep contact with the track all the time now...

[Dwight in Toronto]

Good find Narlie!  I usually follow all of Grant’s videos, but missed this one. He does such a good job sharing his extensive N scale tips, tricks & techniques, and I admire his straight forward, no nonsense, confidence-boosting delivery. His Southern Alberta Railway is absolutely stunning … for me, it represents the epitome in scenery and operational realism, and is the level of modelling perfection that I strive for.

He was one of the first to analyze the reasons behind the deplorable rolling characteristics of Rapido’s “The Canadian” passenger coaches, and he produced a good corrective video back in September.  And now he has tackled how to correct deficiencies in Rapido’s FP9A’s - the motive power for that same “Canadian” iconic passenger train.

I purchased the 10 car passenger set, and two FP9A’s to pull it … the very same set-up that Grant shows in his video. This was an expensive acquisition, but the cost was appropriate considering the museum-quality detail and accuracy of the models. What is NOT appropriate is the need for modelers, at this price point, to have to go to such an extent to modify their purchases, right out of the box, in order to make them operable.

It’s inexcusable, unacceptable, and truly disappointing that Jason Schron and the good folks at Rapido neglected to identify and rectify these oversights before release. The problems were obvious - all they had to do was RUN THE THINGS for themselves. Unbelievable.

[peteski]

I have mentioned multiple times that it would be beneficial for mode RR manufacturers, during the model development phase, to involve model railroaders known to have the knack see any shortcomings missed by the manufacturers, and who can offer suggestions on how to improve the model's design. People like Mr. Grant or others like him) would be ideal for this.  Not only that would improve the models, it would result in fewer dissatisfied purchasers of the company's products.

[wmcbride]

I have mentioned multiple times that it would be beneficial for mode RR manufacturers, during the model development phase, to involve model railroaders known to have the knack see any shortcomings missed by the manufacturers, and who can offer suggestions on how to improve the model's design. People like Mr. Grant or others like him) would be ideal for this.  Not only that would improve the models, it would result in fewer dissatisfied purchasers of the company's products.

Exactly. I have no idea what Rapido was thinking in putting traction tires on the FP9A. All 3 of mine would run an inch or two and stall out -- until I replaced the traction wheeleset with the regular wheelset Rapido provided. Perhaps the installation should have been the other way around: put the traction tire in the little baggie for anyone nostalgic for the 1970s or who just likes them.

[Dwight in Toronto]

You are SO right, peteski. 

I wouldn’t consider myself as being amongst the calibre of modeller that could be part of a manufacturers ‘test group’ or ‘sounding board’, but there is no shortage of top-tier modellers who would be willing and able to fulfill that role.

If an organization such as Rapido had a ‘focus group’ of competent expert users, it would indeed go a long way in helping to prevent the kind of disappointment and bitterness that customers are left with when an expensive, beautifully rendered offering ends up not performing anywhere near as nicely as it looks.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Exactly. I have no idea what Rapido was thinking in putting traction tires on the FP9A. All 3 of mine would run an inch or two and stall out -- until I replaced the traction wheeleset with the regular wheelset Rapido provided. Perhaps the installation should have been the other way around: put the traction tire in the little baggie for anyone nostalgic for the 1970s or who just likes them.

My guess is that the traction tires were included in the hopes that a single Rapido FP9A would be able to pull the companion 10-car set.  Unfortunately, one locomotive will struggle, even with the rubber “cheaters”.  I opted for two locos, purely to achieve a more prototypical Canadian consist, and they pull the whole train adequately. However, I suspect that there were many purchasers who didn’t want to make the extra outlay, and are probably pretty ticked off that their single engine can’t haul all the coaches that they bought to go with it.

By the way, one of my locos came with the traction tire wheelset already installed, the other did not. I only had to switch out the one set.

[Ike the BN Freak]

I have mentioned multiple times that it would be beneficial for mode RR manufacturers, during the model development phase, to involve model railroaders known to have the knack see any shortcomings missed by the manufacturers, and who can offer suggestions on how to improve the model's design. People like Mr. Grant or others like him) would be ideal for this.  Not only that would improve the models, it would result in fewer dissatisfied purchasers of the company's products.

Funny part is Grant is given preproduction samples by PWRS/NARC and Prairie Shadows and has given the manufacturers feedback on how to improve cars. In his latest video, he does a tour, and passes a yard full of the new PWRS/NARC paper cars.

[peteski]

Funny part is Grant is given preproduction samples by PWRS/NARC and Prairie Shadows and has given the manufacturers feedback on how to improve cars. In his latest video, he does a tour, and passes a yard full of the new PWRS/NARC paper cars.

Well, that is good, but it appears that more manufacturers should be using people like him to vet their designs.  They can often see some thing that can be improved upon to make the design better (things that can be missed by the people inside the company).

While I don't have the same Web presence as Grant, I often see some things that could have been done differently (with either a minuscule added cost, or small design change) which would have made the model better, but all I can do is to post my findings in online forum (after the model has been produced).

[BCR 570]

I have mentioned multiple times that it would be beneficial for mode RR manufacturers, during the model development phase, to involve model railroaders known to have the knack see any shortcomings missed by the manufacturers, and who can offer suggestions on how to improve the model's design. People like Mr. Grant or others like him) would be ideal for this.  Not only that would improve the models, it would result in fewer dissatisfied purchasers of the company's products.

NARC has done this for their forthcoming 5092/5101 NSC combination door boxcars; several rounds of samples have come to me for review and testing, and as observed they are now with Grant for further testing.  The problem which several of our model railway companies are now facing is ongoing quality control issues at the factories, which can include disregarding instructions, inexplicable changes, and so on.  The boxcars would have been out a long time ago if the factory could simply follow the artwork and the list of corrections to early samples provided.

Providing samples to modellers with layouts for testing is always a good idea; I was able to perform rolling tests, coupler tests, and so on.  Providing samples for verifying correct artwork is another matter.  For as many individuals out there who truly know their stuff with respect to certain prototypes, there is an equal number who think they do but don't.

I recall receiving a call from Atlas when they released the C-420 in BCR colours.  Someone back east who was "an expert" challenged them that 631 never appeared in the scheme the model appeared in, and Atlas asked if they could share the photo I provided to clear up the matter.

Evaluation of appropriate colours is probably the most challenging aspect of model making.  Companies often receive criticism or suggestions regarding colour based on personal recollection, which can vary wildly.  I am fortunate to own a set of pint chips from BCRs Squamish shops which is a fairly strong reference tool, but these are really only accurate for cars repainted by the railway; those painted new by car manufacturers (e.g. HSC, NSC) could vary in shade.

Speaking directly to the matter at hand, which is the performance of the Rapido engine and train set, they have clearly done their homework with respect to accuracy, but models of this calibre should not be going out with these types of performance issues which could have been identified readily during testing.

Producing accurate models is a tricky business and the suggestion to use appropriate members of the model railway community for testing is a good one.


Tim

[BCR751]

Thought I'd post this in an effort to head off another potential issue with the FP9A.  Some of the units come with factory installed ditch lights and some do not.  If you are ordering a unit and want ditch lights, be sure to check that the one you want has them.  If your unit arrives without ditch lights and you wanted them, you will have to ask Rapido for the parts to install them and do it yourself, a daunting task to be sure.  Rapido actually supplies the housings, the lenses and the light pipes in a little plastic baggie but there is no proper light board.  That you'll have to order separately.  When I ordered mine, there was no mention of the ditch light choice on the website.  If that's still the case, mention must be made in the ordering process.  Just a heads up.

Doug