winky84

I placed an order for this model for 1 reason: I WANT ONE! Not because it's an investment. Not because it's a limited edition. I want one. It's as simple as that. I do not care how many are made or when the order book closes or any of that, I just want one. As long as it A. Costs no more than was initially specified B. Arrives roughly around the time that has been promised and C. Is to the same high standard as Rapido's other models then I'm a happy chappy. If these criteria are not met, then and ONLY THEN, will I start with the name calling and toy throwing. Until then, I shall remain waiting impatiently and getting all giggly when a new photo/video/technical drawing/CAD rendering appears.

Loving the swallow liveried voyager. Bet I know where the inspiration for that came from...

Today was the day for my annual trip to the Warley show. As the doors opened at 9.15, I made a beeline straight toward the Locomotion stand and was met by Bill in a very fetching APT-E Branded turtle neck. After revelling in what can only be described as an astonishingly good example of a 'rough draft' model for several minutes, I started chatting with Bill. Having followed the assorted APT-E/Rapido threads on here, I had the impression that both he and Jason would be very approachable and I was not disappointed on this front. After a short period of pleasant banter with Bill, we were joined by Mr. Tilt himself, who then joined in with the conversation and got his 'ongoing project' N gauge APT-E out for show and tell. A slightly worse-for-wear Jason then showed up. Not quite sure whether it was the late night or the Indian food that did him in. He did seem to perk up somewhat after I (the first person on their visit to do so) shouted "GO HABS" in his general direction. After much discussion about APT-E, the company's performance and philosophy and an upcoming project that they can't say too much about as it might upset one of the other manufacturers (sshhh!) and pressing my nose against the glass of the cabinet housing the model, I shook hands with the 3 stooges and and walked away from the stand, 45 minutes after I arrived and extremely comfortable with handing over a large chunk of money to them, knowing I will not be disappointed with the end result. The level of information the guys at Rapido are constantly drip feeding us is phenomenal and in my eyes very important as without us the consumer, they would not survive, but also I feel that by being involved in every step of the journey, you get a deeper understanding and appreciation of the amount of time, effort, blood and sweat that goes into the development and production of what some people still view as a toy. Not only that, but the way that Bill and Jason interact with their public means that instead of dealing with a large, faceless company, you see the human side of it all which in my eyes is undervalued by a lot of people. Mr. Spackman was very friendly and was more than happy to regale me with various stories of his days working on the various tilting projects. I particularly enjoyed when he was looked down upon for being in first class in mucky overalls whilst carrying a rather large spanner, the occasion of alighting from APT-E to go to a Rod Stewart concert and the communications headset that was modified to play the Three Degrees throughout the train. Today was a good day.

So, rounding up to the nearest half mil, I make that 10.5mm wheels for trailer cars and 11.5mm for the power car then...

ordered mine today...

Modern Locomotives Illustrated No. 176. Blue Pullman Stocks & The APT Fleets. I managed to pick up a copy of this at the Ian Allan publishing stall at Warley MRE 2 years ago. Brand spanky new, £3.95. There was a good dozen on the stack.

Are people familiar with the short version of Pulp Fiction where it is edited to about 3 minutes long with only the expletives? After watching Andy Y and Jason (who seems a really likeable nutter), who fancies stitching together "Rapido Trains APT-E: The Short Yepping Version"? Just a thought...

that looks to be the white line on the platform edge...

Is that a model of LEV1 I see there...? Have often wondered about modifying a Hornby Pacer with a bus body...

10.5mm Romfords FTW then... (Unless anybody makes 10.26mm wheels?)

Two more Hornby APT vehicles arrived in the post for me yesterday. Break out the dremel...

I have now fitted a full compliment of 10.5mm disc Romford wheels on all bar the driving car which will have 10.5mm discs on Black Beetles at a later date (when funds allow...). Very happy now. Looks right. On a side note, and you may need to sit down for this, but I managed to find the wheels I was after in my local model shop AND they were cheaper than buying them off the internet...

I revise my previous statement. Just taken some axles off a lowmac and fitted them to a driving car. Looks mush more like the photos now. Re the drive axle issue, as I plan to go for a twin Black Beetle set up and drive wheels are available in 9.6mm or 10.5mm, this should not present an issue. *much more...

after flicking through my copy of Modern Locomotives Illustrated 176, It gives technical info about both APT-P and APT-E. Unfortunately, it does not provide wheel sizes for APT-P, however, it specifies that all the wheels on APT-E were a diameter of 915mm which would be just a smidge over 12mm. I do not know whether the same size wheels were used on APT-P though...

I have used a full compliment of Bachmann 12mm disc wheels on my set. They may not be prototypically accurate, but they do look aesthetically 'right'