dibber25 Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Since this is headed RAPIDO TRAINS, I figure it's OK to put stuff on here that's not just about Rapido's UK release? If it isn't, the mods can perhaps move it to the US/Canadian section. A while back, when I was pondering whether Rapido's entry into the UK market might spoil things for us Canadian-outline modellers, there was some discussion about the shortage of North American prototypes for Rapido to tackle. I have to agree. However, there is one item which - as a fan of all things DMU - I would love to see done to 2015 standards by Rapido - the Budd RDC. Huge opportunity, surely? Large number built Widely used in the US and Canada (and elsewhere) Two main front end styles Lots of detail everywhere Loads of potential liveries .....and only the dated (and not even DCC-ready) Walthers model (plus some very old Japanese 'brass' jobs). How about a Budd, Jason? CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted June 20, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 20, 2014 .....and only the dated (and not even DCC-ready) Walthers model (plus some very old Japanese 'brass' jobs). I have one of each. The Walthers one has never left the box, and the NJI brass one runs like a whiney three legged dog. The market looks wide open to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Dave Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Having climbed over 2 last year near Vancouver and a few years previously in Fort Worth, I'd love to make one of these. Unfortunately I cannot confirm its one of the models for the Canadian market I'm close to being commissioned to produce. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Unfortunately I cannot confirm its one of the models for the Canadian market I'm close to being commissioned to produce. But can you deny it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Dave Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 But can you deny it? Lol, I'm taking the 5th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewC Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 I'm with Chris on this. A couple of RDC1s in CP would do me nicely. One in stripey face and one in hockey mask. The Walther's model is the old Proto and is getting close to 20 years old now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted June 20, 2014 Author Share Posted June 20, 2014 I'm with Chris on this. A couple of RDC1s in CP would do me nicely. One in stripey face and one in hockey mask. The Walther's model is the old Proto and is getting close to 20 years old now. I'm not sure how many Walthers ones I've got - especially if you include the one I botched Athearn cab fronts onto. I don't like talking about 'gaps in the market' but this must be one Heck of an open goal. Even England could score and whilst it would be great if DJM did it I'm guessing Rapido has easier access to the North American market.......of course it wouldn't be the first time this hobby had duplication and that might make life really interesting for us but less profitable for both parties. I could see myself taking as many as six - BC Rail, CP Rail, Alaska RR - not to mention a NYC one to stick a couple of jet engines on top of!! CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidotrains Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Let's just say I need a lot of them for my layout. -Jason 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted June 20, 2014 Author Share Posted June 20, 2014 Is that the John Street roundhouse? I noticed in the LRC start-up video that one of the cars your guys were shunting around was 6148, ex Vancouver Island car. That would certainly be one that I would want as I've ridden on it several times. I want to ride the Sudbury-White River but like most of Canada's trains, it is inaccessible and would take nearly a week to do an out and back trip with overnight stays, flights etc. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Is that the John Street roundhouse? I noticed in the LRC start-up video that one of the cars your guys were shunting around was 6148, ex Vancouver Island car. That would certainly be one that I would want as I've ridden on it several times. I want to ride the Sudbury-White River but like most of Canada's trains, it is inaccessible and would take nearly a week to do an out and back trip with overnight stays, flights etc. CHRIS LEIGH Nope, Spadina shops, ex CNR and currently a parking lot for Skydome IIRC. John Street was the CPR roundhouse and located near the concrete coaling tower to be found in the top left hand corner of Jason's pic. HTH David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted June 21, 2014 Author Share Posted June 21, 2014 Yes, I get it now. Thought I wasn't quite right. It all looks so different without the 'mistake on the lake' and so many tall buildings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Yes, I get it now. Thought I wasn't quite right. It all looks so different without the 'mistake on the lake' and so many tall buildings. Actually the 'mistake on the lake' was the old Exhibition Stadium where the Blue Jays and Argos played before moving to Skydome. Veering back on topic, well railways anyhow, Spadina was a nice place to visit as long as you checked in an signed a release first. You were then given a hard hat and allowed to wander about. Mind you, this was all back in the '70s so a very different attitude. Interesting to note the Ontario Northland FP7a and the special Tempo Train RS 18 in the picture plus the MLW S13 and the FPA4s in both CN and VIA schemes. Those were the days, sigh.... Cheers, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium BR60103 Posted June 22, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 22, 2014 (edited) How many bodies will be needed? There are 4 configurations from all passenger to all baggage/mail times the 2 stylings. (not sure if all configs in both styles). And the RDC4s were shorter. And the RDC9 or 5 -- no cabs. The Roger Williams -- different bodyside style plus F-unit cabs on the end cars. Don't forget the Athearn models. Shorties, but the rubber-band drive made them shake like the prototype. Spadina roundhouse: I always thought the turntable pit became the visiting team's showers. Edited June 22, 2014 by BR60103 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsp3970 Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 There were many variations including different sized front windows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 There were many variations including different sized front windows. Yes, and different rood domes (early or late style) and with or without wrap-round stainless steel fluting on the ends. The RDC4 would need a completely different set of tools as it requires a shorter chassis. Otherwise the three main body styles would need three different sets of side tools plus at least two different ends - I'm guessing that would give more than enough variants to keep most modellers happy. Then, of course, there are the recent VIA refurbishments, with only one cab, disabled access lifts and all manner of mods....... CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 (edited) Don't forget the Athearn models. Shorties, but the rubber-band drive made them shake like the prototype. I have a dummy one that I did a conversion job on, using a SPUD to power it - the weight of the car tamed the spud quite nicely! Jack 1 - Jack-rabbits Nil! Edited June 22, 2014 by shortliner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 I have a dummy one that I did a conversion job on, using a SPUD to power it - the weight of the car tamed the spud quite nicely! Jack 1 - Jack-rabbits Nil! Yes, I started with that system to get rid of the rubber band drive on Athearn cars. The mechanism on the Walthers cars is OK but not DCC ready, while the body is only suitable for the original cars and I modelled BC Rail which only had the later type. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railroadbill Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 Here's my Ahern one. Had it a long time, got it from Victors when they were in Pentonville Road near Islington. It was the only kid on the block then. It took years to finally track one down as I think they only got made in small batches. It has a replacement transmission with a geared bogie that drives both axles, came as a kit for the RDC but don't now know who made it. Had originally intended to repaint it into CP rail livery but never got round to it. There is something addictive about RDCs. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railroadbill Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 (edited) Here's one (Life Like proto 1000) to a rather higher standard than the Ahern model. I managed to buy this one recently after a tip off from AndrewC who'd spotted it for sale - thanks again. Not a bad model imho, Doesn't have headlight and chains across end doors - easy enough to rectify though. Arrival of grand daughter has put micro Canadian layout idea on back burner for a while but it does run very well round my (BR era) loft layout. It's been sitting in a display case next to my computer since I got it, so a very satisfying model. Now, if there was a very well detailed RDC model as the next step........ edit to add manufacturer Edited June 22, 2014 by railroadbill 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
autocoach Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 I didn't know John Ahern built RDC models. Athearn folks was the manufacturer. Anyway to add to the variety I would commend the SP rebuild of the Budd Car from the NWP after an unfortunate altercation with a logging truck. A true one off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railroadbill Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 I didn't know John Ahern built RDC models. Athearn folks was the manufacturer. Anyway to add to the variety I would commend the SP rebuild of the Budd Car from the NWP after an unfortunate altercation with a logging truck. A true one off. Whoops, Athearn it is, comes of doing things in a hurry! (Although if John Ahern had build Canadian stock I'm sure they would have looked fine on the Madder Valley :-) ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp55aec Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 And the awful triang model with huge flanges,,,,I remember them being dumped with other Canadian Triang stuff in a UK chain of toy shops early 80s selling with F units for £5ea and freight cars for 75p!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted June 22, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 22, 2014 It has a replacement transmission with a geared bogie that drives both axles, came as a kit for the RDC but don't now know who made it. Might it have been Hobbytown of Boston? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railroadbill Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Might it have been Hobbytown of Boston? Possibly, I went looking for the box the drive kit came in, think I'd come across it some time ago but haven't found it yet. Being intrigued by this I took the Athearn rdc body off. There are no markings on the bogie drive but here's a picture of it. A train of gears run to each axle from the worm drive at the top which uses the existing carden shaft from the motor. The Athearn wheels, which are a wheel on a stub axle then just plug into the lowest gear muff. Works ok, much better than the weird rubber band drive (shades of Lone Star). It was easy enough to put together and runs well although the rdc only gets an occasional run on a "run things that don't fit in with the layout" session! The transmission would be useful for other projects as well (one bogie drive with large central motor) but I guess a spud or black beetle etc. would do fine. If I find the box/instructions with the maker's name I'll post back on this. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) On the other hand, perhaps you'd prefer a half-pint? http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=41653 Edited June 23, 2014 by shortliner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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