Rapido N Scale SD70MAC, SD70MACH, SD70MACe

[lock4244]

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.

In comparing N and HO, I've come to the conclusion that S should be the Goldilocks scale.

But I feel with what one can accomplish in a given space in N scale, and not just a small space, but filling a basement, N is the right choice.

[peteski]

I think that TT scale (1:120) would be the goldilocks scale between H0 and N, but try to find anything H0 in American prototype.  My first layout (in Poland) was East German TT scale.

[lock4244]

I think that TT scale (1:120) would be the goldilocks scale between H0 and N, but try to find anything H0 in American prototype.  My first layout (in Poland) was East German TT scale.

Yes, S scale not between N and HO 

[wmcbride]

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.

I started in N in 1979 and have stuck with it with occassional, simultaneous forays into HO and even some 2 Rail O. The latter were switching layouts. N, for me, was all about running long passenegr trains and freights with cool scenery.

That said I have an M420 because it was too cool to not have to putter around in HO. I have a few Alco's because they oddly appeal to me.

Among my favorite N engines are my Rapido 8-40CMs (first run) which sound and run great.

I don't have another 25 years so I will have to take what comes now in N and it's quite a bit!

[Rivet Miscounter]

Well, I don't know a whole lot about Rapido locos, but this definitely has my attention.   As a huge BN fan, a huge SD70MAC fan, and at least a part time N-scaler, I think a pair of the BN units will be on my shopping list.

A group of us have been giving AZL the full court press about doing 70MACs in Z, but it seems unlikely.  Maybe if these do well, it might help the cause.

[lock4244]

Well, I don't know a whole lot about Rapido locos, but this definitely has my attention.   As a huge BN fan, a huge SD70MAC fan, and at least a part time N-scaler, I think a pair of the BN units will be on my shopping list.

A group of us have been giving AZL the full court press about doing 70MACs in Z, but it seems unlikely.  Maybe if these do well, it might help the cause.

The C40-8M's are great pullers. The first release, equipped with traction tires, handled 70 cars solo on my 12x4 loop. Not flat, has a slight up and over, but lots of friction on the curves. The second release, no traction tires, are also excellent pullers though not at the level of the 1st release.

I highly recommend.

[wmcbride]

I had a fear about the second run, those still left in inventory at high discount , since Rapido had to send a bunch back for rework or something similar and that return window has long closed.

[lock4244]

I had a fear about the second run, those still left in inventory at high discount , since Rapido had to send a bunch back for rework or something similar and that return window has long closed.

My DC units are fine except the ditch lights have had issues.

[wmcbride]

Thankfully, I didn't see that on my first-run units. I was impressed with all the lighting.

[tehachapifan]

As someone mentioned earlier, it is pretty wild that we never got an SD75M or 75I from Kato as it doesn't seem like it would be much of a tooling change from the SD70M flat radiator offering. I know there's a limited number of road names associated with the 75M or I but, c'mon, they would sell like hotcakes! That said, I bet ST does these in the not-too-distant future.

[wmcbride]

As someone mentioned earlier, it is pretty wild that we never got an SD75M or 75I from Kato as it doesn't seem like it would be much of a tooling change from the SD70M flat radiator offering. I know there's a limited number of road names associated with the 75M or I but, c'mon, they would sell like hotcakes! That said, I bet ST does these in the not-too-distant future.

Exactly. Kato has always been "stuck" and limited, from everything I've read here and elsewhere, by vetoes from Tokyo.

I am still impressed at the snap-together nature of their SD70ACe shell which I had to disassemnle in the early versions to replace the yellow light pipe. Thoughtful engineering and execution.

[peteski]

Exactly. Kato has always been "stuck" and limited, from everything I've read here and elsewhere, by vetoes from Tokyo.

I am still impressed at the snap-together nature of their SD70ACe shell which I had to disassemnle in the early versions to replace the yellow light pipe. Thoughtful engineering and execution.

Yes the precision glue-free shell designs in Kato models has no equal (well maybe some other Japanese manaufacturers like Tomix come close). Everybody else is glue, glue,  glue.

[lock4244]

As someone mentioned earlier, it is pretty wild that we never got an SD75M or 75I from Kato as it doesn't seem like it would be much of a tooling change from the SD70M flat radiator offering. I know there's a limited number of road names associated with the 75M or I but, c'mon, they would sell like hotcakes! That said, I bet ST does these in the not-too-distant future.

For some time I spammed Kato to do the SD75, but alas, crickets.

[samusi01]

Rapido have added the Metra 250th scheme: https://rapidotrains.com/america-250.html?product_list_limit=48&scale=21

[milw156]

Oh boy! They read my mind!