mdvle Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 Athearn's Live show for May 12th. Showing sample of UP SD60M And May 5th (slow week, no models shown) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 14, 2020 Author Share Posted May 14, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 14, 2020 Author Share Posted May 14, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 Rapido have announced 2 more Facebook Live events where they will answer questions. Wednesday May 20th at 8pm EDT - Join Jason in his VIA coach in his basement for a chat and questions about Rapido, the model train hobby, real trains, all the roles Norman Jones played in Dr. Who and anything else. Will be hosted on the Rapido Facebook page. Monday May 25th at 7pm EDT - Bill Schneider and Jordan Smith participate on a Facebook Live with TrainWorld - Bill & Jordan have the extensive knowledge on Rapido's American model plans. Hosted on the TrainWorld Facebook page. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 18, 2020 Author Share Posted May 18, 2020 Jason Shron guested on the podcast A Modelers Life, released today (episode 146). Discusses a variety of topics, includes comment that Rapido is expanding into more American prototype models. https://www.amodelerslife.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 20, 2020 Author Share Posted May 20, 2020 Latest Athearn Live. Roundhouse locos have been updated, so new versions now come with a 21-pin DCC socket and LED lighting, limited amount of road specific details. New method of attaching body to frame. GP15 - Ventura County G&W announcement coming. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 21, 2020 Author Share Posted May 21, 2020 (edited) Recollections from tonight's Rapdio Facebook Live with Jason (possible errors) - highlight video coming to YouTube soon. B36 sideframes - on the way, have had to keep pestering the factory to make them as factory just wants to make new product. Order deadlines - have been holding off given the number of stores closed, but will soon need to have some in order to keep factories busy. Will be starting a new policy of order deadlines being the 15th of the month (or the first Monday following if a weekend). Steam - D10 - mechanism being redesigned to use a coreless motor, then to tooling. Hope to have samples by end of year. Standard Hudson (aka 2816) - design being worked on. CN H-6 still on hold due to a lack of orders, will reconsider what comes after the D10/Standard Hudson next year after final sales numbers are in for D10. Amtrak Viewliners - would be neat to do, but don't think there is a market for them. SW1200 - awaiting final samples, lots of changes to the tooling since the first video. LRC cars - HO cars awaiting a circuit board, otherwise complete - N cars in production Still can't accept warranty requests, Canada Post hasn't delivered a parcel to them in 9 weeks and they are fighting with Canada Post to get delivery restored. new website this summer older release passenger cars - Budd cars first, then Super Continental as the old molds need to be fixed before they can be used again (same thing was necessary for LRC cars and the steam generators). Ski Train - leaving the factory in a week, should arrive at Rapido approx. 5 weeks later. more GO stuff likely Amtrak Cabbage - likely another 2 years until enough demand for another run to be feasible. Generally, 2 years between runs for new paint schemes, 3 to 5 years between runs for same paint schemes - any sooner and the demand isn't there to justify a complete run. F59PH - tooling done, expect video in a couple of weeks Osgood Bradley coaches - currently no apparent demand for a new run. May 18th was supposed to be US dealer open house with a 3D scanning, obviously didn't happen. Hope 3D scan done in secret in next several weeks. Next month new freight car announced, sometime after that a new loco. Flexi-Flo - likely arrive September, very successful in sales. barrel ore cars on the to do list certain roadnames are popular with fans, fans often vocal, but have poor sales in model form. MP36/40 - on to do list CN balloon top passenger cars - on list to do. Alco switchers - very likely, particularly the S13, but a challenge given how narrow the hood was. PA - sales doing well, SF design done, others close. Tooling to start end of June, hope samples in the fall, release next year avoid EMU/DMU as expected pricing by customers unrealistic given tooling costs. passenger car in design N scale steam - idea terrifies him given the challenge of getting one to perform well given the challenges they have faced in HO. interested in doing vehicles appropriate for a layout set in 1980. Jason has a column in Railroad Model Craftsman each month - Diverging Points. Edited November 9, 2020 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 21, 2020 Author Share Posted May 21, 2020 Forgot to put in the original post, Rapido is ramping up their production of freight cars. They have a bunch currently in the development pipeline (from all over North America, many from the transition era) with the goal of in around 18 to 24 months putting out a freight car every month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted May 30, 2020 Author Share Posted May 30, 2020 Athearn Live May 29th. Upgrade of the GE P40/42 to Genesis level. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 Double dose of Rapido. First, second part of the A Modelers Life podcast visit to Rapido with interviews with Dan Darnell, Janet Golfman, Josh Anderchek and Jordan Smith https://modelerslife.libsyn.com/ And then Jason has made a video about the sound options on the RDC models. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 Introducing Fritzie as Bill Schneider briefly shows off the GARX Meat Reefer - preorders due July 15th 2020. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 June 16 Athearn Live recollections, no accuracy guarantees Chris (brand manager) has left by his own choice, remains on good terms, Athearn is interviewing candidates to replace him. announcement artwork - problems can be reported and artwork changed up until the order deadline SD7/9 - have looked into, as well as others that would fit that chassis Mack trucks - license issues - big increase in new license means price would be too high to be viable Amazon trailers - would really like to do, sent request to Amazon licensing dept. months ago and haven't heard anything Siemens Charger - yes, they were working on it - they received notice from the IP holder to stop, that only Bachmann can do a model 89' flats - likely in 2020 something up their sleeve regarding the DD?? diesels gas turbines - plans so stay tuned SD50/60 to Genesis - absolutely but not in a timely manner, lots of new stuff currently taking up the production pipeline VIA P42 - still working on licensing - if you want them then preorder them so you get them if they do get made. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 Tangent Scale Models - this is from February but also applies to today's second release of cabooses (which has already been completed prior to the problem being discovered). Future runs won't have this problem. A small number of cabooses have a droopy coupler, if your model has the issue and you don't wish Tangent to deal with the issue they have a PDF describing how to fix it yourself https://www.tangentscalemodels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20200204-I-18-Caboose-Coupler-Height-Adjustment.pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) Athearn Live - June 23 - recollections, could be mistaken. June preorders due by Friday still waiting for GO and VIA license agreements, if you want preorder on assumption they will go ahead and then your dealer can submit order when Athearn knows. some artwork is being updated, hope to show updated stuff on Facebook in early July parts service / repair is open again, but has a backlog. Teaser for July announcements - Illinois Central Gulf Genesis GP38-2 in orange and white, has been a top 3 request SD50 with nose lights - can't happen with existing tooling (made out of aluminum, can't be modified), so stuck with the current SD50/60 models until the current new product pipeline gets worked through Ontario Northland GP38-2 - needs some new tooling, will be looked into SD50F/SD60F - maybe. More Canadian specific models coming this year EMD E9 - possible more SF warbonnets coming, but not red/silver more SD40s later this year list of semi-trailers they would like to do, but other higher priority items keep taking up available time Amtrak Pooches - keep an eye on announcements mentioned the Railpower SD90H, tooling rough and can't be used again Amtrak Viewliner Baggage - only if they did all of the Viewliner fleet. Gallery Cars - CB&Q, Rock Island, Metra - interested, if anyone can help with information then contact them through help@athearn.com and maybe it can happen. Edited June 23, 2020 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 Rapido will hold another Facebook Live even this Friday, 26th June, at 6pm EDT. This edition will feature Jordan "CEO" Smith, John "Clamps" Sheridan and Bobby "The Brain" Allard. https://twitter.com/RapidoTrains/status/1275539471119855618 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted June 26, 2020 Author Share Posted June 26, 2020 Rapido June 26th - Jordan Smith, Bobby Allard, John Sheridan - recollections (hopefully no mistakes) B36-7 sideframes - should arrive next week H16-44 - goes to tooling in July M420W - 2 front cab doors provided, one for a closed door and one for an open door Ski Train - landed at Vancouver today, should arrive at Rapido in a week or 2 depending on port congestion NH County Cars - design done, waiting to go to tooling Amtrak Turboliners - design should go to factory in August for them to produce CAD B-100-40 Boxcars - tooling soon, hopefully sample by end of summer B-100-40 - Rapido is looking for photos of the Southern Pacific / Union Pacific Shield Repaint in road numbers they don't already have - they have 4 but need 2 more for the 6-packs. Potential of a free model of the boxcar if one can help (and unsaid, but I assume if first to provide the roadnumber). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 7, 2020 Author Share Posted July 7, 2020 (edited) Athearn Train Tuesday - July 7th - recollections, possible errors. VIA & GO licensing - still waiting to hear back. NMRA NTS announcements - will now happen in August, likely with the August new announcements C44ACM - could start out in Roundhouse, possible Genesis later (standard more GE coming response) rerun of snowblower & B unit possible preproduction samples of P42 hopefully by end of month SD24 - like the idea propane tank cars with walkway along one side - good to look into SD40 - later this year yard tractors - later this year 5161's - in 2020 CN GMDD GP38-2 - need to see if they have the right parts NW5 - cool caboose samples in, will try and get photos up. Edited July 7, 2020 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Athearn - July 14th (possible errors in recollections, times approx) - VIA/GO - still in limbo waiting to hear back - Sample photos (decorated samples) - 0:18 - SP GP9 with torpedo tubes - 0:24 - GTW GP9 - 0:27 - Amtrak F59PHI - 0:29 - Conrail Genesis GP38-2 - 0:31 - ATSF caboose CE-11 - 0:36 - UP caboose - 0:39 - Seaboard caboose - 0:40 - CB&Q caboose - 0:41 - B&O caboose - 0:45 - early UP caboose - 0:48 Q&A starts - been looking at steam locos a bit more, nothing in the immediate future but maybe in a couple of years - pondered about a request for modern Amtrak AutoTrain auto racks, wondered about possible additional roadnames - MK5000C - interesting request, maybe a possibility if they redo the SD50/SD60 if enough shared parts - August new item - will be of interest to much of US and Canada. - Janek was making notes on paper of requests, even those they didn't reply about 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Rapido - July 20th - Jason Shron, Jordan Smith, John Sheridan, Dan Darnell warranty work is almost caught up from Covid shut down accurate signals - would like to do it, unsure if there is a market given how few people do accurate signals on their layouts RS11 second run - NKP and NP most popular so far RS11 - NP rotary beacon - asking factory about it, if not possible sold separately RS11 - fan height by roadname X72 boxcar 3D design done by John Sheridan D10 tooling delayed to have a 3D print done to check things X72, PA/PB, and D10 should go to tooling in next 3 weeks EP5 - test of pantograph went well (they showed a video of the test) hoping for SW1200 samples soon Jordan looking for photos of the Amtrak Turboliner in Toronto any product, in multiples of 6, can be ordered as undecorated or unnumbered CN H6 is only 50% of the order of the CP D10 M420 and F59 sales slow, hoping for better numbers before August order deadline SW1200, PA/PB sales strong best selling US roadname - NH followed by either SP or Pennsy new SP announcement prior to the end of the year planned will be making an Amtrak 50th announcement Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 ScaleTrains have upgraded their Tier 4 GEVOs with new lighting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Got around to watching the recording of the July 21st edition - possible mistakes in recollection VIA/GO licensing - still waiting 04:10 - B&O/Chessie/SP caboose samples - very quick view and discussion - later this week photos should be taken with posting to the website to follow 11:00 - Amtrak P42 samples 23:20 - early paint samples of partial shells - Savage GP7u, Weyerhaeuser GP7 (red/white/blue) 30:00 - Question/Answer session - a request for questions other than simply yes/no style are you doing a model of X 30:00 - discussion of the quality control steps that happen. 34:30 - how they ended up working for a model railroad manufacturer 44:00 - general questions ES44C4's - chances good SD70ACU - weekly reminder Chessie GP40-2 - more at some point GP38-2 - 2021 release likely SD70ACe - maybe Jan/Feb for next release announcement Amtrak 50th - possibly, depends on what Amtrak plans and if it fits in with what Athearn can offer, they are in contact with Amtrak FEC GP40-2 - new blue paint scheme for breast cancer - general answer, issue is licensing (both getting it and potential fees) SP MT-4's - lighting upgrades being worked on, no timeline for announcement, maybe winter samples of Big Boy's have arrived, should ship from factory this week with arrival September UP (and other) Olympic units - again licensing issues - understanding is both IOC is expensive and only allow for products featuring the current Olympics (making past Olympics an impossibility) - otherwise if the licensing could be sorted out would like to do them New announcement on July 31st - research greenlighted at the 2017 Orlando NMRA convention, many variations, it's all over North America Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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