Wide cabs and full body cowlings are signatures of the Canadian National Railway. I’m glad to hear this engine is still working today, I would have thought it was retired.
A fine, succinct review. I wish all our hobby's print publications would call a spade a spade, as has been offered in this candid review. I have never purchased a Rapido product before, and this review is helpful to me. Rapido is currently (4/19/18) taking orders for a run of HO Alco FA-2s. I am considering placing an order and am interested in Rapido's overall product quality, particularly in the running performance of their locos. Any comments would be most welcome. Thank you.
I would not hesitate to order any Rapido product that represented a prototype I was interested in owning. Their attention to detail, running qualities, and customer service are unsurpassed.
I've heard this will be the only one in the Prime Movers series (there are well cars and containers coming as well still I think) due to the reception. Personally I think Rapido's niche is making really nice stuff that doesn't exist elsewhere and they should stick with that. But I appreciate the efforts to keep costs down since that's what so many in the hobby moan about these days. As you point out though it's still no give away. The decoder does in fact go in the fuel tank on DCC ready versions, and they come with speakers already installed which I thought was a nice touch. I'm surprised this wasn't offered also as a super detailed version as I believe it's the only accurate non brass production of this loco.
I made that same observation about the sound when we filmed the review. We did not open the shell to see how the speaker(s) are situated, but the sound is very robust and not tinny at all. Does anyone here know if this model has more than one speaker?
very nice review sir. value priced is what i keep hearing about this loco, but it is the same price you would pay for scale trains dcc and sound, or intermountain,, and they are much better quality.
sparky107107 You can find them for a little over $170 USD. You will be hard pressed to find any Scaletrains or Intermountain units that cheap with Loksound and they will certainly not be of a niche Canadian prototype.
Nice review Dan! Poor handrails, lack of roof grill detail and lack of at least molded on class lights are a disappointment. The Loksound sounds awesome and I bet some Zimo speakers would really do this unit justice!.
Yes, it has class light housings! This is really great because (presumably) they could be used to add class lights (LEDs) in the future. That being said, it would not have changed the final verdict in this case, but it's great that they included those parts.
It is indeed great, the board in the fuel tank also includes solder pads for the rock lights that come with the BCRail version. You could potentially use those for the class lights. Wiring up all 3 colors of class lights would make a very interesting video. I have not yet seen anyone do it, with the exception of Bowser.
PNWR1854 It’s at a price range not considered to be budget. Scaletrains Rivet Counter (top of the line) engines from late 2017 were around the same price, if not less
It's a shame you had to pay so much for it. OVR trains had them for $209.99 CAD for the DCC and Sound version, which makes these a very affordable great model for the price. Great review though! I really enjoy all the videos.
Nice!
Wide cabs and full body cowlings are signatures of the Canadian National Railway. I’m glad to hear this engine is still working today, I would have thought it was retired.
A fine, succinct review. I wish all our hobby's print publications would call a spade a spade, as has been offered in this candid review.
I have never purchased a Rapido product before, and this review is helpful to me. Rapido is currently (4/19/18) taking orders for a run of HO Alco FA-2s. I am considering placing an order and am interested in Rapido's overall product quality, particularly in the running performance of their locos. Any comments would be most welcome. Thank you.
I would not hesitate to order any Rapido product that represented a prototype I was interested in owning. Their attention to detail, running qualities, and customer service are unsurpassed.
Thank you, Mr. TSG Multimedia!
Rapido Trains today, are some of the nicest, highest quality you can get. Every company has occasional problems, even the best!!
I've heard this will be the only one in the Prime Movers series (there are well cars and containers coming as well still I think) due to the reception. Personally I think Rapido's niche is making really nice stuff that doesn't exist elsewhere and they should stick with that. But I appreciate the efforts to keep costs down since that's what so many in the hobby moan about these days. As you point out though it's still no give away. The decoder does in fact go in the fuel tank on DCC ready versions, and they come with speakers already installed which I thought was a nice touch. I'm surprised this wasn't offered also as a super detailed version as I believe it's the only accurate non brass production of this loco.
Agree with everything you said!
Geez, the sound is really terrific! This one I wish I had. Yes, and, the coupler was also drooping, not level, (very common).
I made that same observation about the sound when we filmed the review. We did not open the shell to see how the speaker(s) are situated, but the sound is very robust and not tinny at all. Does anyone here know if this model has more than one speaker?
Another review says it has two "iPhone speakers". And shows cubes - one in front of the circuit board and one behind.
very nice review sir. value priced is what i keep hearing about this loco, but it is the same price you would pay for scale trains dcc and sound, or intermountain,, and they are much better quality.
sparky107107 You can find them for a little over $170 USD. You will be hard pressed to find any Scaletrains or Intermountain units that cheap with Loksound and they will certainly not be of a niche Canadian prototype.
Great review Dan.
Great review!
8 spikes very generous Dan .
Nice review Dan !
Your welcome !
Great review Dan, I like the model
I would have taken a spike for the handrail thickness. The contrast between the cab handrail and pilot handrail is really obvious. YMMV
Nice review Dan! Poor handrails, lack of roof grill detail and lack of at least molded on class lights are a disappointment. The Loksound sounds awesome and I bet some Zimo speakers would really do this unit justice!.
It does come with class light housings, they must be applied by the modeler. No idea why he did not point this out.
Need to triple check the package. I didn't see anything more than the decal sheet included.
Yes, it has class light housings! This is really great because (presumably) they could be used to add class lights (LEDs) in the future. That being said, it would not have changed the final verdict in this case, but it's great that they included those parts.
It is indeed great, the board in the fuel tank also includes solder pads for the rock lights that come with the BCRail version. You could potentially use those for the class lights. Wiring up all 3 colors of class lights would make a very interesting video. I have not yet seen anyone do it, with the exception of Bowser.
rapidos hq is 20 miles from my house in canada
omg thanks for replying
Very expensive for a budget model. I hope someone makes them in n, if they do I would pick up a BCOL one :)
PNWR1854 It’s at a price range not considered to be budget. Scaletrains Rivet Counter (top of the line) engines from late 2017 were around the same price, if not less
It's a shame you had to pay so much for it. OVR trains had them for $209.99 CAD for the DCC and Sound version, which makes these a very affordable great model for the price.
Great review though! I really enjoy all the videos.
I’ll happily take that off your hands it seems like a lot to handle hehe
Hmmmmmmmm
Yw for watching btw and keep it up