Rapido Announcing the LRC Locomotive in N

[lock4244]

As I recall, Rapido said they would not do the LRC locomotive in N scale. Never say never I guess. It's right for my era, and right for my locale.

https://rapidotrains.com/n-scale/complete-train-78/lrc.html

[CR4100]

These are a long needed addition to N-scale.

I hope that the minimum 14-inch radius for the locomotive and 18-inch for the cars doesn't cause low sales. They're eliminating anybody that runs T-Trak only from the potential customer base.

[robertjohndavis]

These are a long needed addition to N-scale.

I hope that the minimum 14-inch radius for the locomotive and 18-inch for the cars doesn't cause low sales. They're eliminating anybody that runs T-Trak only from the potential customer base.

18” radius is an incredibly limiting feature. Pretty much excludes any Unitrack layouts.

[lock4244]

These are a long needed addition to N-scale.

I hope that the minimum 14-inch radius for the locomotive and 18-inch for the cars doesn't cause low sales. They're eliminating anybody that runs T-Trak only from the potential customer base.

IF n.scale.Sales = Bad THEN

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[Jbub]

18” radius is an incredibly limiting feature. Pretty much excludes any Unitrack layouts.

They copied and pasted from the HO page and missed changing things to N. It even says HO in the coach/car section of the text. As for the loco, it minimum radius is 11" with a recommended minimum of 14"

[chessie system fan]

The axles have ball bearings to ensure they roll extremely well despite being of an inside-bearing design

They have my attention with that! I  wish other manufacturers used bearings on inside bearing cars.

[peteski]

They have my attention with that! I  wish other manufacturers used bearings on inside bearing cars.

Rapido uses inside bearings on their Comet cars - they aren't as free rolling as you would expect. Kato Amfleet cars are probably the best when it comes to inside bearing truck design. No  separate bearings - just minimized contact area between the bearing and axle which results in less friction. This is done by making the bearing thin and also smaller than usual axle diameter.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Rapido uses inside bearings on their Comet cars - they aren't as free rolling as you would expect. Kato Amfleet cars are probably the best when it comes to inside bearing truck design. No  separate bearings - just minimized contact area between the bearing and axle which results in less friction. This is done by making the bearing thin and also smaller than usual axle diameter.

I really need to run an experiment with jeweled bearings like they use in watches. They come in a million shapes, but I suspect a donut shape with an inside diameter .05mm larger than the axle would work best.

[peteski]

I really need to run an experiment with jeweled bearings like they use in watches. They come in a million shapes, but I suspect a donut shape with an inside diameter .05mm larger than the axle would work best.

Didn't you try something like this when we had a lengthy thread about N scale inside bearing truck's performance?  Or back then you also were planning on this test and you never followed through?  I recall that (as I recommended) with all the lubricant removed Kato trucks rolled very, very well.

[lock4244]

Rapido uses inside bearings on their Comet cars - they aren't as free rolling as you would expect. Kato Amfleet cars are probably the best when it comes to inside bearing truck design. No  separate bearings - just minimized contact area between the bearing and axle which results in less friction. This is done by making the bearing thin and also smaller than usual axle diameter.

Anything would be an improvement over the first run of the LRC cars.

[u18b]

I added 1x3x1 bearings to Bachmann Amfleet cars.
Results far better than Kato cars.

A very old video.

[mu26aeh]

Huh, another month they forget the N scale sodium chlorate cars.  Oh well

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Didn't you try something like this when we had a lengthy thread about N scale inside bearing truck's performance?  Or back then you also were planning on this test and you never followed through?  I recall that (as I recommended) with all the lubricant removed Kato trucks rolled very, very well.

The place I was trying to source the rubies from had a 500 minimum quantity. I eventually stopped looking. I also need someone who can print a truck specific for the ruby bearings.

[High Hood]

The Amtrak LRC is cool, but don’t let that distract from that in their recent livestream they actually said they’d consider doing the C30-7 in N Scale and not flat out saying no.

[High Hood]

IF n.scale.Sales = Bad THEN

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They mentioned something like they needed to sell 1,200-1,300 sets for the project to go ahead. I assume they meant engines