Model Railroading > Rapido in LA today

Visited the Rapido road show kick off at the California Southern model railroad club today.  Good vist with Jason, Jorden and Craig from the Rapido team. Some photos from the phone
1 a view of the table in front of club
2 and 3 The new R70 PFE reefer

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Model of the bus as the prototype was still in shop with Detroit diesel engine work in progress 
model of the FM road switcher (cool opposed piston engine)

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SSW GP40 no rear number boards. Revision to body and better fans to be on actual model

C30-7 model in two railroad versions. 

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ATSF GP38, no rear number boards, extended range dynamic brake access door at rear of dynamic brakes as prototype due to filter box interference. I shot this on the club layout due to lighting being better. 
Thanks to the Rapido gang and Southern California model railroad club! 
Dave

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Give ya 5 bucks for the reefer.....................................

The Bud slumber coach underbody details and trucks. Just awesome 

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> The Bud slumber coach underbody details and
> trucks. Just awesome 

Disk brakes? Wow! Just Wow!

Lighter Wrote:
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> > The Bud slumber coach underbody details and
> > trucks. Just awesome 
>
> Disk brakes? Wow! Just Wow!

And how noticeable will that be on a layout? This is why the prices are so high on stuff.

Posted from iPhone

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

ALCO630 Wrote:
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> Lighter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > The Bud slumber coach underbody details and
> > > trucks. Just awesome 
> >
> > Disk brakes? Wow! Just Wow!
>
> And how noticeable will that be on a layout? This
> is why the prices are so high on stuff.
>
> Posted from iPhone

I had the same reaction to the disk brakes on the Horizon cars as Lighter. So cool. If you know where to look, it's very noticeable.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/24 11:06 by ChrisCampi.

who's the "Dude" in the Chair ?

We had an amazing time - thanks to the club for hosting us and to everyone who came out!

The bus is not in such good shape. It turns out when it was at the paint shop, some contaminant - it looks like sand - got into the engine and basically wrecked it. We have to swap out the engine completely, and it will take a couple of weeks to complete.

So we're doing the rest of the tour in a rented minivan. We brought signs for the minivan in case the bus broke down. We did not expect to need them on the first day...

Jordan is driving. I'm in the passenger seat. Craig and our mechanic Brent are in the back. We're somewhere on the I10 in Arizona.... We hope to see some of you in Phoenix tonight.

We'll keep you updated.

-Jason
 

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Sorry about the bad luck to start the trip.  From your live Instagram post earlier today it looks like you were in Perris, CA.  Is that where the bus is being repaired and did you visit the Southern California Railway Museum while there?

Safe and fun travels,

Rich Sugg
Riverside, CA

rapidotrains Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We had an amazing time - thanks to the club for
> hosting us and to everyone who came out!
>
> The bus is not in such good shape. It turns out
> when it was at the paint shop, some contaminant -
> it looks like sand - got into the engine and
> basically wrecked it. We have to swap out the
> engine completely, and it will take a couple of
> weeks to complete.
>
> So we're doing the rest of the tour in a rented
> minivan. We brought signs for the minivan in case
> the bus broke down. We did not expect to need them
> on the first day...
>
> Jordan is driving. I'm in the passenger seat.
> Craig and our mechanic Brent are in the back.
> We're somewhere on the I10 in Arizona.... We hope
> to see some of you in Phoenix tonight.
>
> We'll keep you updated.
>
> -Jason
>  

ALCO630 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lighter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > The Bud slumber coach underbody details and
> > > trucks. Just awesome 
> >
> > Disk brakes? Wow! Just Wow!
>
> And how noticeable will that be on a layout? This
> is why the prices are so high on stuff.


Then don't buy it.  Some of us like the extra detail.

>who's the "Dude" in the Chair ?

Don't know him, but here's the intrepid reporter... ;-)

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Tbanks for the great report, Dave!  Bummer to hear about the engine issues on the recently refurbished bus. argh.. but I wish all a safe journey East!

Best,
Harry

What a dorky photo 😜 The refers are R40 cars, not R70.
Having time to reflect on meeting the Rapido team on the drive home yesterday, my take away was they have their heart in the right spot, but maybe need to pump the brakes and not rush projects to completion. They are taking advice from some great people and that's good news. The B70 boxcars are incredible and I feel they are on track to do some great models.  The guy in the chair and I will drive the bus back to Canada for you as we both have correct licenses. Payment can be Rapido SP SD9es and a few 3/4 domes. ? 😆

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Glad to read folks/everyone had an enjoyable experience at the California Southern. Sorry I was unable to make it, BNSF works in mysterious ways.

~ Mr. MRL