Rapido backpedaling on second release

[Mark5]

From the latest Telegraph:

Possible N Scale Paint Scheme Cancellations

It seems that Rapido Trains Inc. is not immune to the economic downturn. We announced a second run of N scale passenger cars, including our new Dayniter leg-rest coach, and sufficient orders just didn't come in. Unfortunately, we can't produce a given paint scheme unless we have enough advance orders to cover our costs.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the following paint schemes are at risk of being cancelled. Illinois Central seems to be the hardest hit. The orders for cars in IC colors are less than half the quantity of our next lowest paint scheme. You can see all of the second run N scale product numbers in one glance by clicking here.

    * Central of Georgia
    * Chesapeake & Ohio
    * Erie
    * Grand Trunk Western
    * Illinois Central
    * Lackawanna
    * Louisville & Nashville
    * Milwaukee Road (UP Colors)
    * Missouri Pacific (Jenks Blue)
    * Norfolk & Western

We'll delay production for about six weeks and see what kind of orders come in. I will let you know which paint schemes will have to be cancelled in issue 22 of the Telegraph. Hopefully the orders pick up before then and all of the paint schemes can be produced.

So if you're on the fence, you know what to do.



Mark

[bbussey]

I still have at least a year before I have to worry, maybe two ... that's the earliest that reservations for the N scale Pullman-Bradley Light Weights will be taken.

[Dave Schneider]

Thanks for the heads up. I just "reserved" two of the Milwaukee Road coaches even though I am not modeling passenger ops at this time. These cars are just too good looking to pass up. Sorry I couldn't help out on the N&W.

Best wishes, Dave

[mmyers]

I've got 8 of the first run that need the replacement couplers. They should be in the mail any day.
If they depend on me for pre orders, nothing would ever get made. If Kleins has them in stock when I can afford them, they get purchased. Hope Shane orders some.

Martin Myers

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The only Atlas engine not to receive enough orders for production after announcement was an IC GP40. I feel bad for the big orange.

[ljudice]

It would be interesting to see how business car schemes like CSX or NS would have done...

I've never really understood why the IC is such an under modelled road. Perhaps its because in the diesel error it is really three or four roads - IC, ICG, post ICG IC and then CN/IC.

[Mark5]

I find it odd that IC gets little love - I've always thought IC was really cool.

[wcfn100]

It would be interesting to see how business car schemes like CSX or NS would have done...

I've never really understood why the IC is such an under modelled road. Perhaps its because in the diesel error it is really three or four roads - IC, ICG, post ICG IC and then CN/IC.

The western portion of the IC was the CC&P for over a decade too.

I think not ever having F units doesn't help and the IC had some locos that aren't available in N as well.


Jason

[Frank Amato]

I still have at least a year before I have to worry, maybe two ... that's the earliest that reservations for the N scale Pullman-Bradley Light Weights will be taken.

Oh yeah, my wallet will be hurting at that point!

  Frank

[Zox]

I could almost certainly make use of some ICRR equipment, but I'm an impulse buyer. The whole "pig in a poke" limited-run pre-order environment just doesn't work for me.

Before I buy something, I have to look it over and convince myself that it's worth the money, which is difficult when said product doesn't yet exist.

Besides, my designated era is post-Amtrak and post-orange-and-white anyway, so most available or proposed IC equipment wouldn't fit except as museum pieces. Which wouldn't necessarily preclude me getting them (4-axle orange and white IC/ICG engines are part of my childhood), but makes it less likely.

[lock4244]

IIRC, they've had the same thing happen with some of their HO stuff. Might be the economy, might be N scalers aren't looking for those roads or might be out of their era. Either way, I still think it's odd that Rapido chose not to offer the leg rest coach in the VIA and CN 1960 noodle schemes on the first run. But, more time to save up some dough for when they do.

[sizemore]

Not trying to be a D-bag, while those Rapido cars look good they have coupler issues, out-of-gauge wheel sets, the lights are green (due to PC board), and the latches for the roofs shear easily...which leads to poor roof alignment. The only reason I bought 5 was due to that whole "get it now or loose it forever". While I'm satisfied, and will buy more I still feel these cars could have been done better for the money.

The S.

[Mark5]

I'm assuming they will "correct" the issues. They seem to be pretty open about this stuff as opposed to ignoring it and hoping it will go away.

I was hoping for (first time ever!) a decent RTR N&W coach. It would seem with all these beautiful (new) Bachmann J's floating around that it would be a "no brainer" for someone to make some decent N&W cars to go with them.

I have a bunch of cars to paint and decal though, so if they don't get made it won't be the end of the world (and my wallet will be happier!)

Mark

[sizemore]

I was hoping for (first time ever!) a decent RTR N&W coach. It would seem with all these beautiful (new) Bachmann J's floating around that it would be a "no brainer" for someone to make some decent N&W cars to go with them.

Mark

My noted issues aside, I can't wait for them either! My J needs an Annie and Clarabelle (and an assortment of others).

The S.

[Atlanticflier]

awe.........

The L&N and Central of Georgia cars were of interest to me, but had not planned to pre-order. It's nice to see some Southeastern road names in the mix...... IF they get made, I'll pick up a couple of each.