Rapido N Scale SD70MAC, SD70MACH, SD70MACe

[basementcalling]

Kudos to Rapido for finding another semi "oddball" prototype to offer, though I suspect with the road names and era this one will sell well for them. Amazing to think that we can get such an uncommon engine made in plastic in N scale. Compared to 30-40 years ago, our market sure has matured from the days when we couldn't beg a company to make even an SD-40-2.

[EspeeGoldenState]

I think N Scale is along for the ride with this one. With ScaleTrains locking down the modern GEs for the next decade in both scales, I think this is the two "museum" detail heavy-weights laying down their future battlelines of production. I suspect we'll see Rapido roll out the rest of the SD70 family into the future and we'll see where they take it from there. With RTR sound and details, I think they both see themselves above Kato and Athearn (in both scales) and they've both mapped out their futures accordingly.

I honestly hope both ST and Rapido does more of the 70 series, can't wait til ST finally announces the SD70ACe/SD70M-2s again (GEVOs too). I'll retire most of my Kato fleet to the display case or train shows. Horizon Hobby has done Athearn zero favors in the last few years, I wont be surprised if they sell them off. Lots of QC and long production queues, almost InterMountain like.

[samusi01]

can't wait til ST finally announces the SD70ACe/SD70M-2s again (GEVOs too).

ScaleTrains had a render last year at the NSE convention in KC and radio silence since. Given their N scale product line is pretty much the HO one, I don't personally foresee the ACe or GP60 making an appearance soon.

[freescopesdad]

For anyone in the SF Bay area, Jason Shron and Jordan Smith will do a Meet & Greet at the Carquinez Model Railroad Society tomorrow (Wednesday tax day) night 6-9 PM in Crockett, CA. Crockett is near the Carquinez bridge in the north east bay. Here is a link. Only 60 miles for me on lovely I80 in delightful rush hour traffic, but probably worth the hassle.
Ron

https://www.cmrstrainclub.org/event-details-registration/rapido-meet-and-greet-event.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Just saw the email. I had no hope of ever seeing the Metra SD70s in N.

It's funny, I had actually assumed Kato would've done them sooner rather than later.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Scale Trains is finding that out too.  I was told the the GP30s weren't selling well as a whole. 


Jason

I bet they might have better luck with the later owners like Conrail, BNSF, shortlines, etc...

[wmcbride]

Scale Trains is finding that out too.  I was told the the GP30s weren't selling well as a whole. 


Jason

They would probably have done better with different road choices. Conrail finally coming in the second run and no SF warbonnets yet. Also the CSX road slug was probably not as appealing as a Chessie GP30.

[Sokramiketes]

I think Rapido might have figured out that N scale leans heavily towards contemporary railroading. For me, at least as it concerns my staying an N scaler, this is not a good development. But for others it seems a positive development.

As a transition era modeler for so long, I hadn't been paying attention to the newest stuff.  But man, is the modern equipment that's available in N now so much better!  It's like all the development dollars have been going to modern stuff.  I'm seriously planning a new layout 2008+.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

They would probably have done better with different road choices. Conrail finally coming in the second run and no SF warbonnets yet. Also the CSX road slug was probably not as appealing as a Chessie GP30.

Yeah, that one was always a tough sell if they're not doing the matching GP40-2s to go along with it. In order to justify having one you need to scare up one of the Atlas releases and I don't know when the last time they did a CSX 40-2.

[EspeeGoldenState]

ScaleTrains had a render last year at the NSE convention in KC and radio silence since. Given their N scale product line is pretty much the HO one, I don't personally foresee the ACe or GP60 making an appearance soon.

They said GEVOs announcement by the end of 2025, I believe I heard but the breakfasts are always so loud and speakers so quiet, and the SD70ACe announcement this year, 2026. Obviously still waiting on the GEVOs, but they will do both. I wont even get my hopes up any time soon for the GP60s, but I'll continue to wait especially after the hard pass on the Atlas versions that failed on many levels.

[Scottl]

That GEVO ad reminds me how much I appreciate how ST has mastered manufacturing modular designs to capture the different variants.  It is incredible to be able to buy distinctive models off the shelf.  It is the golden era of N scale.

[lock4244]

As a transition era modeler for so long, I hadn't been paying attention to the newest stuff.  But man, is the modern equipment that's available in N now so much better!  It's like all the development dollars have been going to modern stuff.  I'm seriously planning a new layout 2008+.

I've been quietly buying HO equipment, mostly Rapido, to test the waters. I'm loving those M420's, have a pair of M-630's in the mail. One thing I've noted it that HO is ridiculously big... like clown shoes big. Maybe I've been an n scaler for too long (1984), but I cannot understand how HO is so popular. I have a large space that will yield a decent railroad in N yet a mere trainset in HO.

I think N is the best scale, hands down, but HO essentially has all the equipment I want... I mean two MLW C-424's announced simultaneously 

[Scottl]

10 years ago, I had nothing CN-specific in N Scale.  Now there is essentially every type of modern locomotive and a lot of the rolling stock.  It will all come IMO.

[garethashenden]

I've been quietly buying HO equipment, mostly Rapido, to test the waters. I'm loving those M420's, have a pair of M-630's in the mail. One thing I've noted it that HO is ridiculously big... like clown shoes big. Maybe I've been an n scaler for too long (1984), but I cannot understand how HO is so popular. I have a large space that will yield a decent railroad in N yet a mere trainset in HO.

I think N is the best scale, hands down, but HO essentially has all the equipment I want... I mean two MLW C-424's announced simultaneously 

I keep coming back to the idea that the hobby, if we were to start from scratch with what we know now, could largely be satisfied with two scales. Something about S sized and something about TT sized. If weight and detail is your thing you go big, or if trains in scenery are your thing you go small.

[lock4244]

10 years ago, I had nothing CN-specific in N Scale.  Now there is essentially every type of modern locomotive and a lot of the rolling stock.  It will all come IMO.

I started in N in 1984, but got out in high school and didn't get back in until around 2001... 25 years ago. While quite a number of goodies are available in terms of freight cars (cylindrical covered hoppers, MIL bulkhead flat, Procor 5820 pellet hopper, barrel ore hopper, PSC & Angus vans) and I actually have a pretty good representative fleet for Ontario in the late 80's, I have very little to pull them with. I will not accept the Atlas stand-ins for the big MLW's and the IM SD40-2W is a poorly executed model, and while the C40-8M is a great model, they are a little to new for my era.

HO: SW1200RS, RS-18, M-420, C-630M, M-6360, M-636, MLW C-424, GP38-2W, GP40-2L, GP40-2W, GMD SD40, SD40-2, SD40-2W, SD40-2F, HR-616, SD50F, SD50AF, SD60F, C40-8M, GP9RM & Slug, GP9u.

N: GP9RM/GP9u (LL Canada), RS-18 (Hobbycraft Canada), GP40-2W, SD40-2W, C40-8M.

That's what has been released in N scale that fits my era and taste in the past 25 years. While Bowser did tease the prospect of the big MLW's and SD40-2's in N scale in 2024, nothing is announced yet. The problem as I see it is time, and it is not on my side unfortunately; I do not have another 25 years. That Rapido is doing the SD70MAC in n scale really drives the point home that, should I stick it out another 25 years I might see a Rapido SD75I (which is great, out of my era but I have long enjoyed them trackside), but never an SW1200RS or an M-420 or an MLW C-424.

Now I wouldn't complain if I could get the big MLW's, the GMD SD40, the MLW C-424, an actual GP40-2L in N. If an M-420 and an SW1200RS appeared, even better. These are the core locomotives I would be happily able to pull my car fleet with, but it's hard to ignore the direction N has been moving in for years and the growing attraction that the clownish HO is having on me.

And actual modeling is not an option... it's not one of my strengths. I buy stuff, take out of box, put on track.