rapidobill

These may help..... Bill

"To my eyes, (and those of other posters here), the overlay of model does not match the image of the 2nd EP. The overlay shows what the model is intended to look like, not how it actually appears." Actually, it does exactly match the EP. The line drawing is directly off the tooling CADs and is used for review and artwork layout. So far, every dimension that I've checked has been spot on to it. Bill

"As a non-UK enthusiast, you may not have been fully aware of the truly iconic status of No.1 amongst those of us 'of a certain age';" Really? Don't jump to too many conclusions.... ;>) Seriously, three of us (of nine) at Rapido are die-hard UK enthusiasts as has been mentioned many times in our various posts and newsletters. I myself mode the GWR (go ahead, it's an easy shot...) as might be hinted at by my profile photo with IKB at Paddington. My only regret is that I didn't get to see #1 when it ran on the GC. I WAS at Rainhill (Rocket 150), although admitting that might put ME into that group of a "Certain Age"! Bill

I thought that I asked you all to play nice! First, there seems to be a general misunderstanding of the purpose of an EP sample. These are NOT representative of finished production models, they are hand-built samples made specifically to test the design and function and to provide a starting point for modifications. As manufacturers we all want to show progress on a project by sharing photos of these samples, but always cringe when we do so! Having now spent a good part of my first day back doing initial testing this EP sample let me make a few general comments. We were given the task to produce a unique model for NRM with three major requirements: 1) It should operate well on layouts owned by the majority of their market. This means #2 radius curves. 2) It should have reasonable pulling power. 3) It should include as much detail as possible, within the constraints imposed by #1 and #2. This sample is really the first fully assembled sample from near production tooling that we could look at and test. (The first sample was really a cobbled job from test parts). Therefore, this EP presents the first real chance to do a comprehensive review. Based on initial tests here is what we’re finding against our goals: 1) The sample has performed very well around Brian Greenwood’s torture track….. err….. layout (sorry Brian!), through tight curves and complicated point work going both forwards and reverse. Objective one accomplished. (FWIW, the APT-E failed at the first try!) 2) The sample pulled a mixed rake of six full sized coaches (seven with a bit of a struggle) around the same layout. This hits our target. Objective two accomplished. 3) Overall the locomotive is pretty much spot on at all major dimensions based on the 3D scan data with just one exception – the cylinders. More on that in a moment. Don’t believe me? Have a look. The blue lines are the CAD drawing of our model, the image behind is a capture of the STL file from the 3D scan of the real loco. As you will see from the image, the cylinders are indeed about .75-1 mm too low. This was driven by my desire to have the crosshead guides independent of the frame to make assembly and maintenance of the loco easier. We have already explored many of the approaches mentioned here (well, the sticker idea is new…) but needed to be sure that the model would first perform as intended. If it failed at that it would be nothing more than a shelf queen – with the wrong wheel gauge to boot! Now that we have determined that the basic premise and engineering are successful we can explore other more cosmetic modifications. We will be doing this over the next few weeks with the goal to make the model as accurate as possible while still fulfilling requirements one and two above. Bill Schneider Rapido Trains

I should know never to take a vacation.... errr... holiday! I go away for a little while and look what happens! I have only now seen the second EP sample that the Locomotion folks posted photos of and will be doing a thorough review over the next few days. I do not have time to answer individual forum comments on the design at this point but do appreciate the feedback. FWIW, some small compromises have had to be made to make the model mass producible and operate as required, which by all reports I'm happy to say it does! Also, note that the front splashers are not installed on the samples yet and these have a big impact on the appearance as well. Right, back to work! Everybody try to play nice for a little bit..... Bill Schneider Rapido Trains

What he said... ;>) Actually, we're tooling two different cowcatchers - one with an opening for the NEM pocket/coupler and the other solid as per prototype. They will be removable and interchangeable. As has been noted, there will be two variants on the skirts. One will include all skirts, the other no skirts. Because of clearance issues behind the skirts on the model the skirted version will be missing some of the smaller valve gear components, This will not be apparent on the finished model, but does mean that the skirts are not really removable. You will need to order the version that you want (skirted or unskirted) - or one of each! ;>) Bill

Beyond trains I'm a long-time Mustang fan, starting out with a '72 Mach 1 as my first car (a 5.8L V-8 always seems practical in a first car!) and currently owning one vintage model ('73 convertible, 302... sorry... 5.0 V-8). In addition, I've driven samples of pretty much every era of Mustang, including the latest. The changes in the last few years have really brought the car up from fun, but rather Neanderthal (ask the man who owns one!) to fairly accomplished. I've rented and so lived a week or so with both the current turbo and 5.0 models. The 5.0 is one heck of a car, and that motor is amazing. It's intoxicating. However, the turbo is no slouch either and is almost a more practical day-to-day car while still being very entertaining once the boost is up... and you can now use the words "practical" and "Mustang in the same sentence! Just don't try to carry anybody in the back seat.... :>)

I'm late into this topic, but also wanted to thank the crew that puts on the York Show for all their efforts and for another very successful show. It is one only two UK shows that Rapido currently attends and a personal favorite. The location and view from the mezzanine can't be beat! Bill

So THAT'S what that odd announcement was about! :>) Bill

They would be horizontal if they had mounting pins on both ends..... :>) I was careful to point out at the show, but will reiterate here, that these are the very first parts from the moulds, cobbled together in a hurry by the factory engineers and myself just before the show. They should not be considered as the final product. There will be numerous small changes based on a review of these samples. Also, some of the parts did not yet have mounting holes (brake rods!) and the wire parts are hand-formed and several mounting screws were missing - most notably the ones at the front that pulled the smokebox down onto the cylinder block. Having said all that, I was pretty happy with the way that they looked and operated! Bill

Hang on, I thought that you said he was doing the decoration artwork? :>)

If you let us know which order you are we can put a note to remove the front spring if you really enjoy doing this.... Bill

This being the first full sample and with it only having been delivered just before the show, actual test running time has been limited. However, it did run for quite a while on Monday night (before I gummed it up with Halfords' primer!) and it operated well, including over #2 radius curves and set track points. It hauled 4+ full-length coaches as is, but I expect more. The front bogie was sprung using a mix of left-over springs at the factory and the spring rate is too soft. the rear wheel. This causes the rear wheel to not make full contact with the rail so the main driver was doing most of the work. This and other small issues will be sorted while I'm in China next month, Watch for an update from there. Bill

WHAT!!!???? ARE YOU SAYING THAT RAPIDO MISSED A DETAIL????? Actually, there was a multi-pin connector that plugged into the end of the car, the plug being visible here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/melholley/7329394330 Oh, and yes... it's on the model! Bill

They will have plastic bogie sideframes with factory fitted metal wheels and pick-ups. The connection between the body and lighting circuit (which is in the roof) is done with spring-loaded plungers, meaning that there are no wires to contend with should you want to remove the roof. Bill

NER did us a favour, the wheel on the real D-Car was designed to be stowed in an upper position and lowered when was not being used for testing. This was done partly to reduce wear on the wheel as a bit of tread wear would reduce the overall diameter, thus throwing the measurements off. The Rails/Rapido model is designed with the wheel in the raised position which puts it about 3" (scale!) off the railhead. This also avoids the issue stated above - if teh wheel did in fact work it would have to be WAY overscale in order not too drop into the gauge on a #2 curve. The wheel is on the same plane as the bogie wheels - meaning aligned for OO gauge. For EM or P4 you will have to move the wheel and its pedestal slightly outboard if this bothers you. Bill

Well, they WERE running... By way of clarification, both samples that we have at the show were fully functioning, and one made many laps of Brian's layout Monday night. However, both have now been coated in Halfords' primer after having all the extra detail bits added and the wheels need further cleaning before they will run well again! Part of the "fun" of trying to get things ready for the show! Bill

WE CRASHED THE WEB SITE!!! WE CRASHED THE WEB SITE!!! YAY!!!! Ducking for cover now.... Bill

Thats a litle unfare, pikign in sumeone bekaus they kant speil good at the end of a longu wekks wurth of lunch eveinets..... :>) Bill

Hey, we were 24 posts into the thread, so not doing too bad... ;>) First of all, thanks for the positive comments on the model. Rapido are looking forward to this new partnership and the opportunity to produce this model for Rails. I have read - many times - the thread on the LNER forum regarding the D-car (sorry, getting lazy about typing it out...) liveries. We have also spent a fair amount of time with the NRM curators on this subject, with more discussions to follow. These have confirmed many correct details from those LNER Forum posts, and a few that may not be correct. Let's leave it for now at the idea that we will be following - as Rails have stated - the lettering appearance as the car was in both 1938 and 1948 based on photos and verified by the NRM staff and others. We are not representing that our model will exactly match the lettering of the car as preserved today. The lettering on my mock-ups as used by Rails is done from in-service photos of the car, done in a rush for the release packet, based on the best available information at the time, subject to change, your results may vary... :>) Bill

Hmmm... Maybe we scanned the wrong loco.... As for the number of wheels, the other driver isn't the only thing missing.The other trailing axle wheel is also conspicuous by its absence! There is no doubt a second mould with the other driving wheel and the trailing wheels. Either that, or something was lost in translation when they heard "Single".... Bill

Our factory has been busy testing the moulds. Here are a few teaser photos of some of the first test parts, warts and all! Make sure to come see the Rapido and lomotionmodels.com stands at York over Easter for more! Bill

Not if Stephen posts it on his blog first! Bill

It has been a while so I wanted to give a quick update on the progress of the Single. Tooling is now well underway and we expect to see the first test parts at the end of next week. We're working toward having complete samples at the York Show at Easter so stop by either our booth or Locomotionmodel's (we're both on the second floor mezzanine I believe) and see them in person! In the event that we don't have a sample in time for York, I'll be the one running for his life and Brian will be the one chasing me... Here's a teaser image of one of the moulds. No prizes for guessing which parts these are! Bill

Just amazed by this announcement... and extremely proud! Thanks to the Locomotion crew and especially to Kit and the APT-E group for all the time that they spent counting rivets, entertaining us with stories and correcting sandwich designs! Bill