Rapido Flexi-Flo hoppers are in

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Pretty nice model of a very quirky car. These were in use until about 1991 in Framingham, so close enough for me. I bought one of each CR paint scheme but I think I'll need to get a few more NYC cars for paint-outs.

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[Philip H]

Mine should arrive tomorrow - and will significantly delay the ones I started to kitbash back in ... checks notes ... 2013 

[bbussey]

Looks like the handrails were changed from the pilot models.  They are supposed to be free-standing from the stands, and now they are molded in as on the AHM model.  The class number is correct on your model, so that's good to see, but some markings are missing on the sides based on your photos.

Still waiting for my eight to arrive in stock.  I'm going to strip and repaint, and apparently rework the platform handrails.

[learmoia]

Considering it's Rapido, the end handrails are a bit of a let down and give it a slight AHM look, but overall a beautiful model..

~Ian

[Sokramiketes]

Looks like the handrails were changed from the pilot models.  They are supposed to be free-standing from the stands, and now they are molded in as on the AHM model.

Here's a case where leaving them off entirely, like the pilot models, would have been significantly better than molding them on. 

[ridinshotgun]

Looks like the handrails were changed from the pilot models.  They are supposed to be free-standing from the stands, and now they are molded in as on the AHM model.  The class number is correct on your model, so that's good to see, but some markings are missing on the sides based on your photos.

Still waiting for my eight to arrive in stock.  I'm going to strip and repaint, and apparently rework the platform handrails.

I think the handrails are not molded to the body but a separate unit that wraps under the end of the car.  I think it looks molded due to being painted and would be like what was shown in the preproduction sample pictures in their newsletter.  Still doesn't match the level of detail that was in their renderings  shown before the preproduction models.

[Sokramiketes]

I think the handrails are not molded to the body but a separate unit that wraps under the end of the car.  I think it looks molded due to being painted and would be like what was shown in the preproduction sample pictures in their newsletter.  Still doesn't match the level of detail that was in their renderings  shown before the preproduction models.

Right, but still the grabiron and the upright are one piece.  That they can both be removed as a separate piece just means some 3d printing goodness can occur... albeit fragile. 

[bbussey]

If the wire-bending jig and labor were costly, they could have etched the hand rails. They do that all the time with the passenger cars and it would have been a significant improvement over using the 60-year-old AHM option.

I’ll be cutting/filing the molded hand rails down to the uprights and adding wire replacements. That they are a separate component will make that task easier. My batch of 11 shipped today. I’ll be stripping/repainting to match specific prototypes, weathering and all.

[ridinshotgun]

I’ll have to say while I didn’t order any of these cars I have been less than thrilled with some of the recent cars I have bought from them considering we are supposed to have a ready to run model at the price points we are now paying. I know after talking with them last year in person that they are aware of some of the discontent out here about this but would think that they would have tried a little harder with something as simple as he grab irons and handrails.

[wmcbride]

The ladder seems a bit clunky but then again, photos are a lot more unkind to N scale models than our eyeballs are.

For the price (Lombard has them for $39), I am a bit disappointed and would be adding wire to replace those blob-handrails. That is if I was going to buy one.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The end uprights are a bit disappointing. My only guess is that the original uprights with holes for separate grabs was too fragile.

[bbussey]

I can live with the ladders. But the molded grabs on the end sill will have to go if the hand rails are getting an upgrade, so I may upgrade the ladders as well.

I want to measure the wheels to verify the diameter. The early style rode on 36”, the late style on 38”. I’m hoping the wheels are 38”, so I only have to worry about my lone early style model.

[u18b]

I can live with the ladders. But the molded grabs on the end sill will have to go if the hand rails are getting an upgrade, so I may upgrade the ladders as well.

I want to measure the wheels to verify the diameter. The early style rode on 36”, the late style on 38”. I’m hoping the wheels are 38”, so I only have to worry about my lone early style model.

You're not loaded down with Eastern Seaboard versions of this model?   

[bbussey]

You're not loaded down with Eastern Seaboard versions of this model?   

They’ll be retired … after some upgrade work on these models. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I grabbed a few.

I really wish they had done the scale test car the CRHS has preserved in the paint scheme it's in now. They did the number but in PC yellow.

From what I remember, we got the car right after they announced these.