rapidoandy

Hello everyone! Those of you who follow our Facebook page may have seen todays post that answers the above question. For those that haven't I can say that our announcement will feature products in two scales! Andy

Oh - yes I am a Maidstone lad. I have a real interest in the railways in and around the surrounding area - one day there may even be a book. Other than a decade in Leeds I have always lived in the area. Andy

Hello everyone. As you would expect we are fully registered in the UK as Rapido Trains Ltd. In its simplest form the problem is that most mainstream UK banks are currently not taking new business customers. I have been given a few reasons, some relating to staffing and operations during the Covid pandemic, whilst one high up person in a certain bank has explained its related to the Bounce Back loan scheme and issues with people being less than honest. Either way the result is they wish to focus on their existing customers during these unusual times and have suggested we talk to the New Year (it has been ongoing since September when I started). There are a number of ‘online’ banks ie those with no real high street presence. Likewise these have been more willing to help now - but they in turn have been more likely to be put off by our Owners being in Canada. Even the banks based in both the UK and Canada have been unable to help. We have a few leads to follow up a d our recent plea has seen a few well placed people come forward to help us. I can’t comment on other manufacturers but I think it’s fair to say they did t have the Covid issue causing mayhem so are not to comparable. Our view was that with Christmas and everything else approaching we are very unlikely to get our account sorted along with having the time to test our systems and still launch our new range. This lead to the decision to announce our product range next month and then follow up with ordering after that. We will keep everyone posted. Until then we are getting more and more excited about our announcement on the 1st December. Take care, Andy

Evening everyone! I'm pleased to say we are getting a little closer to our UK launch: See you on Tuesday 1st December at noon! Andy

Well a Birmingham bus on a BR(S) layout is somewhat lost! I agree it’s a Cliche - although one myself and my co-builder like. Andy

It is a revived version of the previous newsletter. If you have already signed up then there is no need to do so again. Andy

Hello everyone! I hope you are all safe and well. We thought it was time to share a short Rapido Trains UK update. Jason has let slip that there are new things on the horizon but we also need your help. To be one of the first to hear about our latest products and news head over to www.rapidotrains.co.uk and sign up to our Newsletter. Enjoy! Andy

Well the question is; what are you working on Clive?

I certainly do like little locos. You do not get many smaller standard gauge locos than this. Hunslet 'Courage'. 22hp with a lister engine making it sound like a canal boat. I loved driving it! Not sure its a good idea for a commercial project mind!

Well we know what Jason likes, we know what Bill likes, does anyone know what I like? (If they do please let me know). Andy

At the weekend, our UK Operations Manager spent his day off playing trains (don’t we all?) As it happens, he was rostered to drive a locomotive that Rapido are currently producing in 00 gauge as a Model Rail exclusive. While he was chuffing up and down the countryside, we set him the challenge of carrying out a review comparing the model to the real thing. Read the captions below to find out his thoughts! We don’t pay our employees to enjoy themselves, so they have to make their own enjoyment at the weekend. On Saturday Andy spent the day driving 16xx Pannier tank No.1638 along the beautiful Kent and East Sussex Railway. To be ready for the first departure of the day at 10.40 the driver must book on at 07.30. The next three hours are spent preparing the engine and drawing tea. Unboxing a 16xx model and placing it on the track takes about three minutes and does not involve a cold, early start. 1-0 to the model. No.1638 has quite a number of oiling points. Being a Great Western design, they are usually located in an awkward position requiring the driver to crawl around in contorted positions. The Rapido 16xx requires very little, if any lubrication. 2-0 to the model. The real loco is covered in many fine details including several lamp irons allowing for a variety of headcodes and daft headboards to be displayed. Whilst the model features these we do not provide a daft headboard. 2-1 to the model. The cab features a myriad of controls. The parts are finely made – however he couldn’t find the control to turn the sound function off. The engine spent all day making lots of noise – some of the best we have heard so we awarded points to both. 3-2 to the model. Pulling power is rather good. The engine happily takes 5 Mk1 coaches along the railway. The model will haul a similar load so again it’s a draw. 4-3 to the model. The firebox glow on the model is very realistic. However, the glow on the prototype overheats somewhat – ideal for keeping your tea warm. For that fact alone it's points to the prototype. 4-4. Coupling up involves crawling around between the loco and the coach. A tension lock would be a lot easier. 5-4 to the model. The real thing carries a beautifully detailed weathered finish. However, it rubs off on your hands during operation. Rapido’s beautiful finishes are applied to perfection and do not come off. Points to the model. So, the final score….6-4 in favour of the model! The real locomotive is an engineering wonder and great fun to work on (even if it is a GWR design) but it is hard and dirty work. You can however still enjoy a 16xx without the hard work and dirt by buying your very own from Model Rail: www.modelrailoffers.co.uk/c/1694/16XX Driver Andy recommends them!

Thank you everyone for the comments. We are indeed having a bit of fun sorting a bank account here. Nova Scotian has hit the nail on the head, it would be a lot simpler if we could physically get people over here to do it. Exciting times ahead! Thanks Andy

Good evening everyone, I hope everyone is well. With the evenings drawing in and the weather turning we thought it would be nice to have some good news. Well here it is: Rapido are back in the UK! I would like to introduce myself as the new UK Operations Manager. Rather than trying to waffle on myself I have copied our announcement from our latest Rapido Trains Inc newsletter: We have a new guy here at Rapido HQ! Well actually, we don’t; he’s in England! But that means... We're back, lads! Go let it out, a nice long yell of excitement out the window. Maybe even bash your arms around as if the locomotive just started to thrash. (Well, maybe not, if your neighbours don't appreciate loud noises and flailing arms.) (Note that I also included the "u" in "neighbours" without being asked to. I want a gold star.) We would like to introduce Andy Hardy who has joined us as our UK Operations Manager. That’s right - we're coming back to the UK with a bang. Andy has a life-long obsession with railways, so much so his parents say his first words were “coal” and “buffer." He has worked at the National Railway Museum and on a heritage railway, he's written a railway book and he is also a pretty snazzy trumpet player. He is a qualified steam loco driver and even works out on the mainline with the A1 Steam Trust. Andy will be responsible for the day to day operation of everything Rapido in the UK. Website, orders, procurement of biscuits and lots more will be keeping him busy for some time to come. In true Rapido style we thought we would share some interesting and random facts about Andy. Only one of these is a lie – it's up to you to work out which! Andy has performed in a concert for HM the Queen. He’s ridden the footplate of an East Coast Pacific across the Forth Bridge. He’s driven an RT double-decker bus. He collects and plays oddball brass musical instruments including the slide trumpet. Andy has driven the Hogwarts Express. He has built an extensive collection of Lego trains. He has raised money for charity with a team by completing 100 miles in one day on a rail handcart. Andy applied for our job with a covering letter talking about his hair. Since joining the Rapido team he has hit the ground running getting everything ready for our launch later in the year – not an easy task in the short space of time he has! Not only is he laying the infrastructure but also helping with new project ideas for our UK range. Within three weeks he has already been out with a camera, drawings and a measuring stick looking at certain things. We look forward to seeing our UK range grow. Welcome on-board Andy! Well there is not much more to say about me. I always like hearing from fellow modellers so please do feel free to say hello with ideas and suggestions in the future. I am hugely excited to be taking up this new role and to help Rapido build its UK operation. There are some very exciting times ahead! Take care. Andy