Rapido is doing HO Alco FA-2 - Can N Scale be coming?

[dougnelson]

Send your cards and letters to Rapido requesting that they also do the FA-2 in N Scale!

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=d5e71bd9-eca5-437f-9562-56a11e9a32a4&c=03034f10-8477-11e3-baec-d4ae5275dbea&ch=030a2ce0-8477-11e3-baec-d4ae5275dbea

[Joetrain59]

Got their e-mail newsletter today. Pud knows N version is needed. Could be a while though.
 Joe D

[Altoona]

WHAT No B units . Outstanding PRR unit with antenna.
Now make in n scale.
Judd Barton

[woodchip]

I think the biggest problem to this is the likelihood that the street price in Uncle Sam $ would be to high. A Kato F unit in DC can be found for 70-80 dollars so that would be the expected price area. if you have a price in the 100-130 range even with the Rapido level of detail I doubt it would make sense for Rapido to produce

           Hugh

[craigolio1]

 Just being the Devils advocate here, but they made an obscur loco like the GMD1 for almost $300 with DCC and sound. Small market for that loco and they sold. They've now announced the updated version.

I bet the Alco F would do very well concidering how popular the loco was for prototype roads.

Craig

[leikec]

If Rapido offered HO & N models of the FA-2 painted for Ann Arbor I'd order them in both scales.

I do love my Life Like models, but the Rapido engine would be a huge step up in every way.

Jeff C

[brokemoto]

When was the last time that WKW ran the LL FAs?

The LLs are excellent runners, excellent pullers and the detail is pretty good.  The modeller can add anything that he thinks might be missing.

Other than sound, I am ignorant on the possible improvements that the Rapido could offer, as I have not bought anything that it has issued since its recent re-appearance.

Someone mentioned that the HO PRRs come with Trainphone antennae.  Would Rapido be adding details specific to other roads, such as Nathan five chimes on WMs or body/exhaust/cooling alterations for whatever road(s) had Electro-Motive re-engine some of these?  Would it be in keeping with Rapido's previous issues to sell more roadnames?  WKW/LL has issued these in only a few roadnames, so I suspect that most would welcome more roadnames.

I am asking these questions only for the purpose of becoming enlightened.

Most of the first generation cab units have been covered.  The only ones that I can think of that are missing are the Baldwin four and six axle babyfaces.  While RR did issue the B/A-1-A FM cab, there has been none issued that is up to to-day's standards.  There is the ALCo "Black Maria", but if I recall correctly, there were only one or two constructed.  The same would be true for whatever that GE cab unit was.

[pjm20]

If the Pennsy version shrunk down, Rapido would be receiving lots of money! Also, lets not forget that Rapido is going to announce a new N Scale product.

[lock4244]

CP had FA-2's and FPA-2's running around in 1973, so it's safe to assume that Pud has gently whispered 'N scale' in Jason's ear. Time will tell.

I would be in for a few CP Rail FA's.

[leikec]

Lots of models have been covered in N scale, but as time goes by the state of the art changes. I haven't repowered my plastic framed AA FA-2 locos, and I'm happy with them because they run pretty well and they look ok.

But they aren't anywhere close to state of the art--not in run quality, the ability to have dcc and sound, or in fit and finish. Also, if I decide to add more FA-2 models to my roster I will have to find the pilot inserts somewhere.

I would imagine that a N scale Ann Arbor FA-2 would be a gorgeous model in every way when compared to my early run Life Like models. I'd buy the Rapido models in a heartbeat.

I'm sure that some here think the F-unit market is saturated, but again, there's room for a better quality model. Now that I own a pair of IM F-units I can state that I'm not a fan of them. There are good things--the shells are nicely detailed, but there are things that could be improved, like the coupler spacing, the ride height, the overall quality control...

I much prefer the Kato F units, even though the shell has less detail, but most of the roads I'm interested in will never be made, so that means pulling out the airbrush and finding decals. My paint jobs are not as good as today's best factory paint jobs, so if the model is offered painted I'll go for it every time.

Jeff C

[Puddington]

I guess I could let this go on for a while longer but ...nah....

We've looked at the Alco project in N scale and we're considering it... no commitment yet but we're actively considering it.

[delamaize]

I guess I could let this go on for a while longer but ...nah....

We've looked at the Alco project in N scale and we're considering it... no commitment yet but we're actively considering it.

I'd be in for a GN set that's for sure!!

[Wardie]

I would definitely be interested in Rapido made CP FA-2s and CN FPA-4's.

[BruceStikkers]

I would love to buy some in UP, the B units would be greatly appreciated too.

Bruce Stikkers

[basementcalling]

Unfortunately ately UP owned no FA2s or FB2s. All theirs were FA1s. That doesn't stop someone from using an airbrush on an und3c or two if  Puddington keeps whispering.

I think these would sell well, though how pent up demand is is probably an important question.