rapidotrains Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Hi guys, We've recently launched a series of accessories called RailCrew. Info is here: http://www.rapidotrains.com/railcrew.html Video intro is here: https://youtu.be/BEJryNs_ptA I wonder if there will be a market for these in the UK. The uncouplers work with Kadee couplers, for those of you who have converted your stock to Kadees. The switch machines work with Peco switches, both with the springs on and off (though if the springs are off the switch machine will last longer). The tall switch stands are obviously North American designs, but I wonder of the lower 20C design would work in a UK setting. Any thoughts? -Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejp Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Not an answer to your question about the British market, I know, but I'm really interested in some uncouplers for my Australian prototype layout (Kadees, passenger cars, high platforms blocking access to the couplers). Just checking your website, it looks like postage on a direct order from Canada isn't as painful as I'd feared. Hmm... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted April 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 21, 2015 Hi Jason, As a long-time user of Kadees on UK outline models (just coming up to my 21st year) the uncouplers look the business. They appear to offer the opportunity to replace between-the-rails Kadee permanent magnets on established layouts without major disruption. Can we order them on-line from this side of the pond? John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePurplePrimer Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I am also very interested in the uncouplers - I hope they become available here in the UK Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Holliday Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 A number of British pre-grouping lines used a rotating ground signal, often connected directly to the points. One such is the London Brighton and South Coast railway. They look a bit like the lower design. More info on the LBSC ones can be found at http://www.mjwsjw.co.uk/page12.html - box at bottom right of page. Others are available from MSE/51L http://www.modelsignals.com/4mm_scale_frame.htm I am sure these etchings could be married to the Switch Machine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I'm interested in taking a look, but then i'm a North American outline modeller, which I guess isn't quite what your question was getting at! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Would the uncouplers also be suitable for Sprat & Winkle couplings? Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted April 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 21, 2015 A number of British pre-grouping lines used a rotating ground signal, often connected directly to the points. One such is the London Brighton and South Coast railway. They look a bit like the lower design. More info on the LBSC ones can be found at http://www.mjwsjw.co.uk/page12.html - box at bottom right of page. Others are available from MSE/51L http://www.modelsignals.com/4mm_scale_frame.htm I am sure these etchings could be married to the Switch Machine. I thought the same immediately I saw the info in the newsletter and then when I watched the video. The low switchstand would need some adaptation as the British outline rotating signals were all lower than even that one and it does depend very much on the Railway and period being modelled - I doubt there were any left in use after the mid '60s (but it would go rather well with a Stirling Single - clever marketing there Jason ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted April 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 21, 2015 The uncouplers certainly and I'm already watching out for them. The point motors again I like the retro fitting but I'm not so sure about using them with copperclad built points as it still looks to snap across. Any chance of a video from above? One thing is drilling up through from beneath obviously risks going too far so how much tolerance is there on depth below rail height with the uncouplers? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidotrains Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 Hi Jason, As a long-time user of Kadees on UK outline models (just coming up to my 21st year) the uncouplers look the business. They appear to offer the opportunity to replace between-the-rails Kadee permanent magnets on established layouts without major disruption. Can we order them on-line from this side of the pond? John You can definitely order from the UK from our web site already. If we have a of UK interest we might be able to sell them from a UK supplier. -Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Both uncoupler and switch machine look very good. I did a 'speed read' on the web page, but couldn't see delivery dates... What is the latest on availability please? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold jcmjcm Posted April 24, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 24, 2015 Hi Jason, Loved the video, that's some basement! Do you think the uncoupler will work with N gauge? Many thanks JCM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Henriksen Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Both uncoupler and switch machine look very good. I did a 'speed read' on the web page, but couldn't see delivery dates... What is the latest on availability please? The February newsletter mentioned May for the first shipment - http://rapidotrains.com/rapidonews65.html#anchor4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted April 25, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 25, 2015 Very interested in the uncouplers. I could be tempted with the switch machine for my 0-16.5 narrow gauge layout. Just wondering if the switch machine could also be used to work other things. For example, to open the gates through which trains go i to the factory on my ng layout. The switches could be wired to only power the track when the gates are open. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidotrains Posted April 26, 2015 Author Share Posted April 26, 2015 The February newsletter mentioned May for the first shipment - http://rapidotrains.com/rapidonews65.html#anchor4 I doubt they will come before late June. The uncouplers are in production now and we are waiting for a final sample of the switch machines that address a potential QC hazard with the microswitches. Bill and I are going to China next week and we'll solve it there. -Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
damo2929 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 maybe crossing gate controller. or LNER semaphore signal with led driver with block detection for block operation with DCC feedback system. as the Dapol system seams strange as I don't see how the DCC system can know it's state, plus they don't do lner maybe something for tram trollypole reversing. ( I want working trams on my layout too when I get a bit more space ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DIW Posted August 2, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 2, 2015 I doubt they will come before late June. The uncouplers are in production now and we are waiting for a final sample of the switch machines that address a potential QC hazard with the microswitches. Bill and I are going to China next week and we'll solve it there. -Jason Jason, Is there any news on the availability of these switch machines, please? Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidotrains Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 Jason, Is there any news on the availability of these switch machines, please? Dave Actually, yes. Production is finishing up and the first shipment of both switch machines and uncouplers will leave the factory next week. We're quite excited by this, as you can imagine! -Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DIW Posted August 3, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 3, 2015 Actually, yes. Production is finishing up and the first shipment of both switch machines and uncouplers will leave the factory next week. We're quite excited by this, as you can imagine! -Jason Thanks Jason. I was poised to place an order but just thought to check first. I'll sort out the order tomorrow (promise!). Dave EDIT PS - order placed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Wintle Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Was looking at examples of these at George's Trains yesterday. They look quite interesting. Is there any possibility of getting an N-scale switch stand/adaptor for the switch machine? Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Henriksen Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 The Remote Uncouplers and Switch Machines are mentioned in the latest newsletter- they have shipped from the factory and are expected sometime around Oct. 1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Reichert Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 The Remote Uncouplers and Switch Machines are mentioned in the latest newsletter- they have shipped from the factory and are expected sometime around Oct. 1. Neat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DIW Posted October 24, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 24, 2015 Jason/Gerald, I'm wiring in the layout, and am awaiting the arrival of the switch machines. Now bearing in mind that the switch machines come with their own operating switch for the control panel (thus not the usual probe-and-stud system I normally use), I need to know how many wires to lay in for each switch machine. Do I need: Three wires, i.e. coil 1, coil 2, common return Four wires, i.e. 2 per coil Two wires, i.e. polarity reversal operation Are the mounting hole dimensions on the draft installation instructions for the switch machine still valid (1 1/8" diameter, 1" deep)? My choice of this switch machine for the front-of-layout turnouts is due to the easy ability to reproduce the direction indicator shown below. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Henriksen Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Jason/Gerald, I'm wiring in the layout, and am awaiting the arrival of the switch machines. Now bearing in mind that the switch machines come with their own operating Just to be clear I don't work for Rapido, I just help spread the news of any announcements Rapido makes because I like their products and I am aware that like a lot of small businesses Jason doesn't always have the time to do all the posting on forums he would like. My best advice would be to contact Rapido directly with your question as that will likely allow for a faster response as well as making sure that Jason or Bill don't accidentally miss your question. You can contact Rapido through one of the options on their contact page: http://rapidotrains.com/contact.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DIW Posted October 25, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 25, 2015 Hi Gerald, Thanks for the clarification. I'll use the site contact as you have suggested. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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