Rapido and N scale

[up1950s]

The gon is cool but expensive for a generally generic looking car .

Certain refers if done in N would be desired by me .

My thought is I would spring for more bucks if the car is a bit hard  or impossible to find otherwise . That said it needs a Canadian prototype , that could pass for something in the US .. or vice-versa . So I looked up the interweb for stuff built in Canada , then I searched CN railroad jet snow blower . I came across this jewel which looks like the generic type of a jet blower I always wanted . For this I would make it snow money in your home .
 

http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/railphotog/200922384510_Blower1.jpg

[eja]

Jason.

I tried to sigh up today, but I can't ...  can't read the "security codes" to complete the process !!

eja

[Big Train]

Now if "someone" and would make a Canadian steamer with a winterized cab and Vanderbilt tender, we'd definitely crawl over three miles of broken glass and barbed wire to get our hands on one.

[jnevis]

My thought is I would spring for more bucks if the car is a bit hard  or impossible to find otherwise . That said it needs a Canadian prototype , that could pass for something in the US .. or vice-versa .

Or....
Not a CN/CP unit but very similar.....SP/UP Jordan spreader with plow wings
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/4/6/3/1463.1171029600.jpg

[bobdobbs]

Amtrak Turbotrain in n scale!

[craigolio1]

OK, went on the website.....

On the newsletter.... I can tell you one thing, I'm certainly not interested in hearing about new HO products, only N, and nothing on the newsletter signup was scale specific.  So the likelihood that I'll even open it is much lower.   It's OK if I only get one update a year, if I know it's only going to be N scale.

Rest of the web page is coming nicely.
That's really interesting!   I had no idea you were as close on the freight cars and they look really nice.   Really nice.

I was also intrigued by the concept that you are selling the CHASSIS ONLY for the GMD1's.   I'd be tempted just for that, if I had the following: 

1)  Decent picture of chassis
2)  Schematic or parts diagram
3)  Key dimensions of mechanism (wheelbase, truck centers, length, width, height)

I have no use at all for a GMD1, but the Atlas RSD is such a complete miserable lightweight that it can hardly drag itself around, let alone a train.   Always looking at all new mechanisms to see what else can be done with them, and if they can be purchased separately.   Atlas' willingness to work with me on the CF7 project was key to that one.

Weren't those oddball A1A Flexicoil trucks also used on the SDL39?  Or have a similar shorter odd wheelbase if they were three-motor?

Any plan to offer the four-axle Flexicoil truck version?   Those trucks were under several models.

I have no idea what else it might be useful for, but in the era of RP, you just never know.

And finally, the nudge on a 'short version' of the Easy-Peasy car lighting, for short baggage cars and cabooses.

I second that. I scratch bashed a GMD-1 and it has a crap chassis under it. By the time I take apart the model I ordered it will likely to be too late to get the chassis only if it fits in my shell. I can't imagine a lot of chassis ending up in the LHS. So order a complete model with a shell then Use the chassis? Likely not. The rapido she'll will look way better. Easier to put the number on than to fit it in my project. There for I ordered just the one. Measurements and specs of the chassis would pretty much guarantee an order.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Now if "someone" and would make a Canadian steamer with a winterized cab and Vanderbilt tender, we'd definitely crawl over three miles of broken glass and barbed wire to get our hands on one.

Not just any Canadian steamer, but one of the CP ones that found their way to, well, it seems like every tourist/museum/heritage road in the northeast. Personally, I'd be in in a big way for an accurate model of Strasburg's 89, and could very easily be swayed to grab a pacific, hudson or mike that logged significant excursion miles in the US during the 60s, 70s and 80s. I forget what they were, but I remember they were pretty prolific. I think there's even a photo of one double headed with Strasburg's #90 on a mainline somewhere.

One of those engines that has both appeal for steam era modelers and later era modelers would be a great addition. Sure, I wouldn't buy a fleet, but you'd make a sale to someone who otherwise wouldn't need a steam model.

[Mike C]

Now if "someone" and would make a Canadian steamer with a winterized cab and Vanderbilt tender, we'd definitely crawl over three miles of broken glass and barbed wire to get our hands on one.

How about GT 6325 ??  I'd be all over that one !

[sirenwerks]

The GMD1 is a bit of a stretch for me, though a set of green and gold six-axles is tempting at some point down the line.  In terms of Canadian prototype products, I could immediately use RS18s, C424/5s, FPA4 and I'd go for a Royal Hudson, especially if a train set of smooth side burgundy CP cars came with it.

[Leggy]

randgust, the A-1-A bogies on the GMD-1 are similar to EMDs export A-1-A bogie but the SDL39s use a 3-motor export bogie with the center axle offset like the ALCo Trimounts.

[lock4244]

Jason, let me get this off my chest - the GMD-1 is such a cool model to choose as a first N scale model; so unique, so Canukian 

Now, this may be part of the confusion, I know I did a double take on it. The N scale announcement page title says 'Rapido HO GMD-1 Locomotive'. That may not stop anyone, but correction required none the less 
http://www.rapidotrains.com/gmd1_n.html

Now I know that it is rare for anyone to suggest anything to a model railroad mfg, but not be a traditionalist, allow me to note a items I think would love to see in N scale...

These are easy to imagine:
CP Angus Van - this should be a virtual lock with that misguided CP fan Pud on the Rapido team.
FPA/FPB-4 - not CP, but Pud is a passenger nut, so probable.
LRC - see above.
Canadian - see above.

Beyond the Angus Van, these would most likely pry a significant amount of my income out of the wallet:
GMD SW1200RS - not as iconic as the GMD-1, but far more prevalent across the country, and owned by both CN and CP. Broader appeal and much easier for many, many modelers to justify owning. I know TLT is doing the CP version in HO, and maybe they've plans to do them in N, but if not, I can't think of any locomotive that'd would follow up the GMD-1 better, except
GMD GP40-2L - Athearn doing these in N seems remote. I'll order the fleet in as delivered zebra, please.
GMD GP40-2W - Athearn doing these in N seems remote, and based on what Atlas told me back when they announced them in HO, not going to invest in the molding for N scale.
GMD GP38-2W - Athearn doing these in N seems remote.
MLW C424 - drool, just drool for CP models.

[E44A]

You have to understand that some people will never pre-order.

The last thing I pre-ordered was the FVM GP60M.

Now I don't.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The US has been infested with SW1200RSes, thereby creating an even bigger market.

Just sayin...

[Scottl]

Go find your own manufacturer.  We don't need them getting bogged down in all those fallen flags and kind of transcons 

[rapidotrains]

The last thing I pre-ordered was the FVM GP60M.

Now I don't.

Regarding pre-orders, they are a necessary evil in our market.  We used to make inventory of everything and when the economy fell apart we had 3000 passenger cars that NOBODY wanted.

I had to give them away below cost to one of our distributors, and as a result we still get warranty requests from people who've just bought a "brand new" Rapido model from 2008. 

At that point we decided that we are only making models to order.  Our new warehouse wouldn't have room for 3000 cars even if we had them.  It's only about 1000 square feet - big enough to bring in about five skids of models, inspect them, sort them and ship them out again.  When The Canadian came in last year (a full 20-footer) we couldn't reach some parts of our warehouse for days.  There were trains everywhere.

If you don't pre-order, that is entirely your choice.  But you have to do it eyes open, recognizing that there's a good chance you won't get the model or, if you really want it, you'll pay more than retail on eBay.  Our steam generator models regularly go for 4x retail on eBay, and before our new run of CP cabooses they went for 2x retail.  Recently a $110 Park Car we made for VIA last year went for over $400 on eBay.

I can't talk for other manufacturers but as far as Rapido is concerned, I can't take the risk of making inventory.  We almost didn't survive 2010 - it was the closest Rapido ever came to closing and my wife and I couldn't pay our bills at home without going into debt and getting help from family.  If anyone here has ever had to ask for financial help from family, you will know what I am talking about.  It is a huge source of stress and it makes you feel like you're a complete failure.  Thankfully that was four years ago and all is well, both at home and at Rapido.  Knowing we got through 2010, I know we can get through anything.

But we won't get through the next recession by having thousands of models sitting in our warehouse.  So if you want to ensure you get our stuff, you will need to pre-order.

-Jason