Rapido Trains Meat Reefers "Whoo Hoo!"

[sd45elect2000]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Swift+Refrigerator+Line&view=detailv2&id=47D98683932B917C4B881FF964B72AC8D9119FF4&selectedindex=13&ccid=P4%2BAaLCn&simid=608028530802164623&thid=OIP.M3f8f8068b0a7fa75681d0f976d649118o0&mode=overlay&first=1

Like this one?

This has overhead brine tanks (probably not built that way). Not the exact car and built a year earlier. But it has "tabbed" bottom sill.

Randy

[wcfn100]

Very nice Randy thank you for the link.  That really helps fill in some information.  It's curious that Rapido has gone with a different number series that doesn't match as well.  I assume it has to do with what pictures are available.

Jason

[sd45elect2000]

I think the number series Rapido did was NOT for overhead brine tank rebuilds. I'm sure General American changed the numbers when they removed the end bunkers.

Randy

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, my three arrived today, I'm generally very pleased, although I do have some nits to pick.
First the good stuff: bodymounts, free-rolling metal wheels, weigh in at a healthy 30grams/1.1 oz. (maybe too healthy for a short car?) To my eye, they appear well proportioned, a bit heftier than the M/T 36' cars which I've always felt are a bit too skinny; the Rapido bodies measure 9'-8" which is right on for a relatively "modern" car. (I think some folks tend to discount 36'meat reefers as "old time" cars, but these were relatively modern cars and the length was dictated by the meat industry standards). The underframes are very nicely rendered as well. The paint jobs are nice and crisp, and the colors look right to me for the cars I got.

As to the nits, I'm attaching some pics, and everyone can make their own judgment call about the detailing... The cars   
look good, or perhaps great, but some of the detals definitely have a bit of an exaggeration: hinges, slats, ladders etc. I'm sure this is done purposefully because the people who delivered these obviously know their stuff. The last photo is a comparo shot of the new Rapido car, with similar MT and Roundhouse cars flanking it. One could argue the MT car details are finer and closer to scale (especially if one had a better photo ) ... the overall effect, well, more subjective. I would also prefer blackened wheels, but that's easily fixed.
I'll leave it at that
Otto K.,

[GaryHinshaw]

but some of the detals definitely have a bit of an exaggeration: hinges, slats, ladders etc.

Hmm, you must be ignoring @peteski:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34320.msg398301#msg398301
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=37448.msg449822#msg449822
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34628.msg405762#msg405762
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=32767.msg399006#msg399006
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=36792.msg439289#msg439289
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=35171.msg412593#msg412593
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34323.msg397958#msg397958
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34441.msg408497#msg408497
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=35653.msg419040#msg419040
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34547.msg400885#msg400885

[peteski]

Thank you Gary! 

This is exactly what makes a difference between a model that looks like a fine scale model and a toy with exaggerated details.  The Rapido model might have a better underbody detail (which is not easily visible or noticed from a normal viewing angle) but the shell engraving is overdone. And the shell is what is right out there in the open.   Too bad that we have a brand new model which doesn't look as realistic as a decades old model.

Looks like all my pleas to go easy on the detail engraving fell on deaf ears.

[up1950s]

I'd rather live with the reefers than Pete . I am sure Rapido will on any other future molds of other cars will adjust measurements so as to be a Pete pleaser . Weathering should help with these .

[Chris333]

Mine look pretty good. Much better than that last batch of IM boxcars. I think the hardware being painted black makes them stand out. The all red Swift cars look nice.

[Cajonpassfan]

The all red Swift cars look nice.

Did somebody say all red cars??
Too new for my era; too bad...
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

Hmm, you must be ignoring Peteski

Niemozliwe, c'est impossible...

[wcfn100]

Weathering should help with these .

I'm actually concerned that weathering will make these cars worse.  The huge gaps between the boards may not work well with normal techniques that envolve any sort of wash.  While I'm hoping someone will try it. I don't want to see a $30 car ruined in the process.

Jason

[peteski]

I'm actually concerned that weathering will make these cars worse.  The huge gaps between the boards may not work well with normal techniques that envolve any sort of wash.

While I might have been very vocal (when Rapido staff was showing the early pre-production shots) in hopes they would fix what I saw as a  deep  problem, but as you can see others share my opinion about  the exaggerated detail engraving on this model.

[sd45elect2000]

I will weather all of my cars but I'll stick with airbrush techniques, no washes.

Randy

[seusscaboose]

I'm actually concerned that weathering will make these cars worse.  The huge gaps between the boards may not work well with normal techniques that envolve any sort of wash.  While I'm hoping someone will try it. I don't want to see a $30 car ruined in the process.

Jason

This this this

As I reviewed the cars last night during a work session it was pointed out buy our own Ed K. That weathering these will exaggerate the discrepancies in the sidingu

If possible, please refer to similar atlas car for better details on similar design

Also
One not (none weathering related).  There is a coupler issue (non weight related) that presented itself out of the box

I lashed 12 of them together and put them on a 2.5 percent grade and quickly found 2 cars with faulty (weak) couplers.

They wouldn't stay coupled despite multiple iterations of positioning in the lash up

The body mounts on these 2 cars just weren't staying coupled

I tried the rat tail file trick on the knuckle... No luck

[bbussey]

These are MTL couplers, not clones, so the spring is most likely the culprit. Stretch it out or replace it, that should correct it. I noticed the same symptoms on one of mine, a "lazy" spring.