rapidoandy

Good news! We have finished examining each and every dyno car on the pallet that was dropped. This has seen a physical exam, a lighting function test, a check of packaging and then repackaging. We are pleased to say our packaging did exactly what it’s designed to do and took the brunt of the force. Whilst we need a number of new boxes etc the models themselves have all survived with no issues directly attributable to the drop. This good news means we have enough perfect models to start processing and shipping our Retailer and Direct orders whilst getting some new packaging sent for those with damaged boxes. Happy Thursday! Andy

Well that’s a lot more comments than I was expecting… Whilst I won’t go into too much details I will tell people: The delivery company knew it was a tail lift operation. The weight, height and size of the pallet were all known factors. We have a ‘hands off’ policy - the shipping company is responsible for getting the pallet - safely - onto the floor in the warehouse where we accept it. The CCTV has no sound so you can’t hear what people are saying likewise it also seems to compress depths. All in all we (Rapido) I feel have handled it right from the moment things went south. Hopefully this week we will know what the actual damage and the actions we need to take are. andy

Sometimes things just do not go to plan....an update on our Dynamometer car delivery... https://youtu.be/5IMxZxzMVcM

They have not actually arrived with us in the warehouse yet. They arrived on a different ship to the Chathams and are a few days behind. I have everything crossed that we receive them on Thursday. We then have to do the usual stock check and QC stuff before shipping out to the Retailers. Andy

The latest batch of samples have arrived…

Hi Andy, From memory it shouldn’t be. Drop us a line via the warranty form and we will get it sorted one way or another or replace the power car. I dislike reading that customers have faulty models - ping us a message and I will get our man on it for you. Andy

Nope - they are technically in the Atlantic off the coast of Portugal :-)

I lie… it’s actually in the East Mediterranean…

They are currently in (well on) the Suez Canal. I’m hoping they will be with me in the warehouse in about 3 weeks and dispatched soon after…

Funny you should mention G1 models… On my work desk in a case is a much modified Aster Thunderbolt… Now you all know how mad I am…

Hello, Not at present. We are awaiting the samples for the W&U tramcars and at that point we may be able to set an orderbook deadline prior to production. It's likely to be around this time next year at a guess.

Class 28 now in colour. A few improvements to be made - but we are rather pleased with this!

It’s all possible - let’s see how the 44 goes first..

Rapido Trains UK is delighted to announce that it’s filling one of the biggest gaps in the ranks of ‘N’ gauge diesels with an all-new family of ‘Peaks’. That nickname covered three very distinct classes, all of which were built by BR at Derby: · Class 44: ten built in 1959-1960; Sulzer 12LDA28A 2,300hp engine, Crompton-Parkinson electrical equipment · Class 45: 127 built (1960-62); Sulzer 12LDA28B 2,500hp engine, Crompton-Parkinson electrical equipment · Class 46: 56 built (1961-63); Sulzer 12LDA28B 2,500hp engine, Brush electrical equipment All ten Class 44s were named after English and Welsh mountains, which gave rise to the ‘Peak’ nickname, a nickname that was subsequently applied to the ‘45s’ and ‘46s’ too. Rapido UK Sales & Marketing Manager Richard Foster said, “We’re going to offer all three classes of ‘Peak’ because they all effectively share the same bodyshell and bogies. But our first release will be the head of the family, the Class 44. If these sell well then we will move on to the class 45 and 46 in further production runs.” “We only started work on this project a month or so ago and we’re delighted with how well it’s progressing. Although there’s still a bit of work to do, the CAD images and renders show great promise. We’d like to thank the Peak Locomotive Company for assisting us with this exciting project.” Rapido’s new models will feature a variety of detail differences (including plated-over steps on the body side, removal of inner sandboxes and extra steps on the bogies). It will also boast a high-quality specification including: · Directional Lighting · Next18 Decoder Socket · High quality motor and drive mechanism for smooth running · DCC Sound option · NEM Coupler pockets · Separately fitted handrails and wipers · A selection of discs so you may apply your chosen headcode · Etched radiator fan grill with separate fan. The RRP is still TBC and the order book is not yet open. To keep updated, sign up to the Rapido UK newsletter at https://rapidotrains.co.uk/newsletter/

I apologise - its not always possible to reply to every PM immediately. With a Bank Holiday and other commitments today is the first day I have really been sat at my desk. I shall have a look - we have had no other reported problems. I will ask our technical man to take a look. Thanks, Andy

Another sample has just arrived - in time to remind you all that the orderbook closes on the 1st September.

Thank you! The price was based on the project as a whole. The Titfield versions obviously have licenses etc to be factored in, whilst the non-Titfield ones have far more tooling to cater for the different roofs, sides, interiors and steps etc. Andy

Ta! Trying to do too much today!

Take a look in the other new threads that have just cropped up ;-)

Will you guys ever produce an ‘O’ gauge model? It’s something we get asked a lot and now we have the answer: yes! We’re proposing to enlarge the ‘J70’ tram engine – originally produced for Model Rail magazine – to the ‘senior scale’. But we’ll only do it if we receive enough ‘expressions of interest’. The 12 ‘J70’ 0-6-0T were built by the Great Eastern Railway to a design by James Holden. Classified ‘C53’, they were a more powerful version of the earlier ‘G15’ 0-4-0T (LNER ‘Y6’) to cope with traffic demands on the GER’s various roadside tramways and dockyards, most notably the Wisbech & Upwell and those around Yarmouth quay. Board of Trade regulations meant that the motion had to be covered by side plates, cowcatchers were required as were speed governors and a bell. The ‘J70s’ were built in batches between 1903 and 1921 and 11 became BR property in 1948. Withdrawals started in 1949 and all had been withdrawn by the end of 1955. Sadly, none of these charismatic looking machines were saved for preservation. As with the ‘OO’ gauge version, we are proposing to make skirted and non-skirted models. The only difference this time, is that there will be full valve gear under the skirts. Our new model also includes sliding end and side windows, opening end doors, opening firehole door (to reveal flickering firebox glow). We have also produced a more detailed interior as befits a larger scale model. As all the ‘J70s’ were different, we’ve taken the same approach with the ‘O’ gauge model as we did with the ‘OO’ one. We’ve included door bumpstops, safety chains and two- and three-bolt seat mounting plates in the polybag so that you can accurately re-create your favourite tram engine. It is to features everything you’d expect from a contemporary ‘O’ gauge model: a powerful motor, smooth mechanism, a factory-fitted speaker and an easily accessible DCC socket for ‘plug & play’ DCC conversion. It also has additional solder pads at each end so that additional pick-ups can be easily added, a belt and braces approach to truly maximise its performance potential. However, these models will only go into production is we receive enough ‘expressions of interest’ (EOI). Click below to register. If we receive enough EOIs, we will contact you so that you can turn yours into an actual order for what promises to be a superb addition to the ranks of ready-to-run ‘O’ gauge models. To let us know your interest please head to our website and complete the form - or tell your Official Retailer to do the same on your behalf at www.rapidotrains.co.uk/lner-j70-o-gauge/

Everything about the Wisbech & Upwell Tramway was unusual and its coaches were certainly no exception. Six four-wheel coaches were initially used but, in 1884, the year that the line opened to Upwell, two bogie coaches were delivered. These two vehicles were some of the most unusual – or eye-catching depending on your point of view – coaches used in Britain. They were built by the Great Eastern Railway under order A17. Composite No. 7 was built to Diagram 602 and Second No. 8 to Dia. 603. Both vehicles were outwardly similar to look at. They were both just over 37ft long (over buffers) and had a maximum height of 10ft 2in – rather squat by railway standards. No. 7 could hold ten First Class passengers and 22 Second, whilst No. 8 had a total capacity of 34 Second (later Third) Class passengers. However, details like body panelling and roof layout were unique to each vehicle. They remained almost unchanged physically during their working life with the exception of modified footsteps . After passenger services on the W&U ceased on December 31st 1927, both vehicles were transferred to the Kelvedon and Tollesbury Light Railway in Essex where they worked until that line closed in 1951. They retained their unusual longitudinal seating until the end. Stardom them beckoned for No. 8. It starred in the Ealing comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt – complete with bar! It was earmarked for preservation by the British Transport Commission and was even restored into GER livery. Sadly, due to a misunderstanding, it was scrapped on March 9th 1957. No. 7 was sold and its body became an onion store before being rescued for preservation. Acquired by the M&GN Society in 2002, it has been fully restored -complete with a Titfield-style bar. As with all Rapido models these models feature a high level of detail on the outside, underside and inside including different roofs, interiors, end steps, handbrakes and other detail fittings as seen on each carriage at different times throughout its working life. All interiors will be fully visible with a removable roof. Coaches are available individually in LNER and BR liveries as well as No. 8 as it is today. Sadly, only one of the tram cars survived into preservation. But what if things had been different? We are pleased to announce a ‘What If’ version of these vehicles in BR lined crimson with BR carriage crests. After filming The Titfield Thunderbolt the starring tram car was returned to revenue use – but kept the bar to serve 1st class passengers on the Kelvedon and Tollesbury Light Railway. Eventually the pair needed work and were sent to Stratford where they received a general repair and repaint into standard BR coach livery complete with lining, roundels and window markings – well that’s our story! RRP for each vehicle is £74.95. Order yours today by speaking to any Official Retailer or direct from us at www.rapidotrains.co.uk/wisbech--upwell-bogie-tramcars/

We have already produced a Wisbech & Upwell locomotive – the ‘J70’ 0-6-0T for Model Rail magazine – and now we produce Wisbech & Upwell coaches. When Model Rail commissioned the ‘J70’, it opted for LNER and BR liveries. In the days of the Great Eastern Railway, these tram locomotives (they were classified ‘C53’then) and coaches wore matching liveries, creating a rather quaint little rural train. Before 1919, the locomotive were painted coach brown with ultramarine blue frames and they hauled coach brown tramcars. After 1919, the locomotive livery changed to crimson and grey with the tramcars also being crimson. Our friends at Model Rail have generously given us permission to produce a limited run of GER-liveried ‘C53s’ to complement our GER-liveried W&U coaches… and they will be available in two special train packs. Now, strictly speaking, the ‘C53s’ were goods engines but it’s highly likely that they would have been pressed into passenger service on the W&U when required. Each train pack will feature an appropriately numbered and liveried ‘C53’ tram alongside coaches No.7 and 8 in appropriate livery and physical condition for the time period. Our batch of ‘C53s’ feature all the same high-quality details as Model Rail’s ‘J70s’ but have an upgraded circuit board and Next18 decoder socket. There are also sound-fitted packs too, featuring an exclusive sound project supplied by Digitrains. RRP is £269.95 for DC versions and £369.95 for DCC Sound versions. Speak to your Official Retailer or order direct from us at www.rapidotrains.co.uk/wisbech-and-upwell-train-packs/ to reserve yours today!

Well Friday actually - check back at mid-day!

For those that do not use Facebook… The first samples of our figures have arrived from Modelu. These are laser scans in appropriate attire and are being checked for fit against the models. The next stage is a combination of sculpting the likeness onto the faces and printing in colour. Very exciting!

As Linny has mentioned the original plan was to make it removable. Our UK team we’re then unsure and felt that a fixed roof was the most sensible option. However the factory in China had another idea and between everything coming together it looks like a removable roof will work. I have just seen some photos of the moulds for the tramcar (and I’m very excited). All being well a set of samples will be produced shortly. As for the ‘historical’ versions - keep an eye out as hopefully it won’t be long until we can announce the rest of the range - hopefully everyone will be very pleased!