Rapido FL9s in the house!

[jmlaboda - RIP]

...but they're actually patched units.

They are not patched... the blue used by PC was noticeably darker...

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1808060
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1482829

[basementcalling]

Hope they sell out and prove as awesome to operate as they look. Impressive model.

[Joetrain59]

Have my one as built NH unit running for break in right now. Mike would be happy for the great reviews. And cool, a decal sheet and coupon for a free Digitrax decoder!
 Joe D   

Love the rear headlight, too!

[dougnelson]

That is a great picture!  What sort of paint scheme is that on the closer unit?  It says PC, but looks like faded yellow and blue, like the Conrail unit in the OP. 

MH

The blue unit is a Penn Central unit from the 1968 to 1971 period (prior to Amtrak), when PC operated what was left of PRR/NYC/NH passenger trains. Amtrak was slow to repaint these units as evidenced by these rolling jalopies. The train is the Lake Shore Limited and the locos are being cut off and replaced by former PC E8s to continue the trip to Chicago.

[sizemore]

Reading through the posts, from what I understand there is no chance between 1968-1973 that these would have made it south past the Mason-Dixon?

The S.

[bbussey]

I doubt they made it south of Grand Central Terminal.

[squirrelhunter]

One thing I read somewhere (And I wish I could remember where) was that the FL9 originally started as a way for EMD so sell more boiler equipped A units to western roads like NP, ATSF and D&RGW that favored F units for passenger service and were unhappy about the lack of space for water tankage on the A units.

Maybe you could use one for a what-if for your road where they decided to buy a non 3rd rail equipped version because it has extra space for water tanks over the regular F9A/FP9A.

[sizemore]

I doubt they made it south of Grand Central Terminal.

Boooooo, man. Boo.


The S.

[bobdobbs]

Just got my PC black model and I do have to say the level of detail is overboard, one odd thing-  I ordered a non sound DC/DCC model expecting to receive a unit with a dual mode DCC decoder, but it is straight DC (operates great on DC test track BTW), one must send in a coupon to receive a DCC decoder via mail and install it yourself.  Not a big deal, it is a EUN 6 pin plug like Fox Valley DCC models, but it is a shelf queen for at least 3 weeks till I get the DCC decoder- according to Rapido's shipping estimate.  I am just saying, these DC/DCC units are priced at a DCC equipped price-point, so if you are a DC modeler you are getting a bit hosed.  The level of detail and run quality is really nice though.

[garethashenden]

Boooooo, man. Boo.


The S.

Maybe we should start looking at things the way comic books look at things. Lots of different universes that vaguely resemble each other. In the universe that your layout is set in, they did make it into the south.

[OldEastRR]

And the undecs sell out .... really, there CAN'T be any other paint schemes they had that Rapido didn't cover?

[bbussey]

Yes, there are. See the announcement for the second HO release.

BTW, the front headlight is a twin sealed beam. Most impressive.

[unittrain]

Maybe we should start looking at things the way comic books look at things. Lots of different universes that vaguely resemble each other. In the universe that your layout is set in, they did make it into the south.

Been thinking about getting a PC to run in a freight consist.

[bbussey]

Just got my PC black model and I do have to say the level of detail is overboard, one odd thing-  I ordered a non sound DC/DCC model expecting to receive a unit with a dual mode DCC decoder, but it is straight DC (operates great on DC test track BTW), one must send in a coupon to receive a DCC decoder via mail and install it yourself.  Not a big deal, it is a EUN 6 pin plug like Fox Valley DCC models, but it is a shelf queen for at least 3 weeks till I get the DCC decoder- according to Rapido's shipping estimate.  I am just saying, these DC/DCC units are priced at a DCC equipped price-point, so if you are a DC modeler you are getting a bit hosed.  The level of detail and run quality is really nice though.

I have to disagree. The detail on these units is unprecedented, DCC or no DCC. The fact that a free quality decoder is being offered on top of that, as opposed to having to buy one or spend more on the DCC sound equipped unit is a good deal.

[bobdobbs]

I have to disagree. The detail on these units is unprecedented, DCC or no DCC. The fact that a free quality decoder is being offered on top of that, as opposed to having to buy one or spend more on the DCC sound equipped unit is a good deal.

You should disagree, that is the beauty of an online discussion group.  These units were advertised as including a dual mode DC/DCC decoder, or an ESU Loksound decoder for people requesting sound.  When I got mine, it is straight DC and I have to mail in a coupon to wait 3 weeks to get a Digitrax decoder.  If you look at Atlas engines the street price point for DCC equipped engines is about 125.00, the street price of the FL9 with DCC is 129.00, but in a DCC equipped Atlas or Bachman, I get the decoder installed in the engine.  That is what I find odd.  Nothing is free, you have paid extra for the decoder, it is not "free", a non decoder street price for an Atlas engine is around 89.00 or so.  So if you are a DC modeler you are paying about $30.00 more for no decoder.  I guess you can mail in for the decoder and retain it for future use, or you can all send them to me! (LOL). 

I do agree with you that the detail is great, mine has had a strange whine when going on straight track, not on curves, may be sending the whole unit back.  And yes the headlight is a twin beam unit, very cool!