FP4-A coming from Prairie Shadows

[sirenwerks]

No offense to Prairie Shadows or Rapido, but  at those price points I'd be happy if Walthers breathed new life in to the LL FA2 molds and someone offered a post-release etched detail set for fan and grill screens.

[Missaberoad]

To be fair MSRP is in line with the Atlas S-2 at 240$ for a single unit vs 244.50$ for a FPA4

even without sound the S-2 is 120$ the FPA4 is 134.50$

Now it is true that Atlas has a better discount system, as said before due to these being commissioned
models the margins are pretty thin.

Can't deny the sticker shock and will likely keep me from buying any, since they don't really fit my theme.

[Spikre]

 
  Jerry,
   no photos of the repowered MKT Alcos in the D.E. article.
   locos shown are those that made it into the 80s,which does
   include the RS-3 EMD Hybreds,no FA-1s or the lone FA-2.
   do have a pic here of a New Haven 60s Alco rebuilt RS-3
   with a 250 in it and the raised rear hatch behind the stack.
   was wondering why they raised the hatch.
   other sources agree on the 2 FA-1s that went to Alco.
   but the RS-3s seem to maybe be "Phantoms"?
    one thing seems obvious is that MKT had a horrid Mechanical
  Department in the early to mid 50s.
   even EMDs were out of service longer than on other roads.
       Spikre
       

[sirenwerks]

To be fair MSRP is in line with the Atlas S-2 at 240$ for a single unit vs 244.50$ for a FPA4

even without sound the S-2 is 120$ the FPA4 is 134.50$

Now it is true that Atlas has a better discount system, as said before due to these being commissioned
models the margins are pretty thin.

Can't deny the sticker shock and will likely keep me from buying any, since they don't really fit my theme.

Ryan, you're absolutely correct.  That being said, my LL models were such good pullers this is an opportunity for Walthers to step to the plate and make some money for themselves.  As doubtful as it is they will see an N scale opportunity.

[Missaberoad]

Ryan, you're absolutely correct.  That being said, my LL models were such good pullers this is an opportunity for Walthers to step to the plate and make some money for themselves.  As doubtful as it is they will see an N scale opportunity.

I agree completely with that point... would love to see an updated FA-1 (with angled number boards, in Soo Line colors)

Have a couple undecs in the cue, and knowing how Walthers likes to sit on tooling they will wind up being my only option

[ek2000]

Hi Guys

I' m new to the forum and this is my first post !

I just got my Rapido/Prairie Shadows N scale FPA4 DCC and Sound in the 1954 CN scheme. I will post a review of it in a few days once I spend some time with it. With just the few minutes I spent with it, I'm quite happy with how it is (with some observations/exceptions, will cover later). Just wanted to say a few things for those looking to buy. I got just the A unit direct from Prairie Shadows. Right now, PS website lists individual A and B units individually, in addition to the A+B sets. Unfortunately, right now, as I did, you will pay full MSRP + $15 shipping (still aches around the pocket !) which is the same as the HO version for this model. I'm not sure why this model was priced/distributed the wa it is, I'm sure there are scale/supply-demand economics behind the scenes.

If you want to buy the A+B unit, go to PWRS website (PWRS.CA). Their prices when converted to USD worked out to be around $70-80 cheaper (exchange rate fluctuations) than buying direct from PS. With the pre-orders I've already placed on the Scale trains GEVO and the other Intermountain offerings in the near term, I decided not to go with the A+B unit.

[sirenwerks]

Those are some extreme fluctuations. I just priced it out as $22 difference. Of course, I'm not sure what either's shipping rates look like.

[Joetrain59]

Welcome ek2000,
  Don't want to burst your bubble, but a review has been posted here, http://www.spookshow.net/loco/rapidofp.html
 Marks website has great reviews for nearly(?) every loco made in N scale. I picked up an Undec. A unit with sound, have yet to run it on DCC for full sound effects.
 Joe D

[havingfuntoo]

ek2000,
I will be interested in reading your comments and review on the model, I am sure others will also appreciate your observations. It is not a competition as to who gets a review done first, rather a comparison of each of the different reviews to see where observed short comings and complements of the model match.

Welcome to the Railwire.     

[OldEastRR]

I agree completely with that point... would love to see an updated FA-1 (with angled number boards, in Soo Line colors)

Have a couple undecs in the cue, and knowing how Walthers likes to sit on tooling they will wind up being my only option

They'd have to redesign the chassis for DCC ready -- and probably a decoder-equipped version too. There's no market for brand-new locos that aren't DC ready. That's too much trouble for Walthers to go thru (for N scale).
However, Bachmann is a real possibility for an FA1/2, tho we'd have to switch out the crappy decoders and the boxing glove couplers. Luckily for me my one LL FA has been converted to DCC/sound, and I don't see me needing any more. Nice hefty chunk of engine and not bad detail, either.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Welcome ek2000,
  Don't want to burst your bubble, but a review has been posted here, http://www.spookshow.net/loco/rapidofp.html
 Marks website has great reviews for nearly(?) every loco made in N scale. I picked up an Undec. A unit with sound, have yet to run it on DCC for full sound effects.
 Joe D

That review makes them sound outstanding.

Good for Prairie Shadows and @rapidotrains !

[ek2000]

ek2000,
I will be interested in reading your comments and review on the model, I am sure others will also appreciate your observations. It is not a competition as to who gets a review done first, rather a comparison of each of the different reviews to see where observed short comings and complements of the model match.

Welcome to the Railwire.     

Thank you. I did read (Spookshow) Mark's review before buying. I don't know if I will be able to do quite the review like he does, but it will be my 2c nevertheless !

[ek2000]

Here is a link to my review

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=42945.msg544255#msg544255

[peteski]

Here is a link to my review

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=42945.msg544255#msg544255

It probably would have made sense to post your review in this section of the forum.

[ek2000]

The N and Z scales section had more posts than this section, so I thought that's where N scalers spend more time in.