Mixing Rivarossi with Rapido Passenger cars

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I already have a bunch of Rivarossi passenger cars, but love the look of the Rapido cars. I’m not sure how well they will mix with differing levels of detail. Has anyone done this that can render an opinion? Thx- Mike

2

I’m sure the cars won’t mind. Remember the 3 foot rule with HO. Also the cars will be moving so I’m sure you won’t notice the change much. I’m running concor MP54 passenger cars and love them. They come with lighting installed.

3

Operations should be fine, but colors will vary between manufacturers.

4

I know more then one person who does exactly that. You run your best equipment p front right behind your locomotive and maybe your observation car as it’s the last one seen. All the rest in between are fillers.Hey it would be great to have a full trina of Rapido’s or MTH or BLI cars but for a lot of us thats pretty cost prohibitive. I personally have been trying to sell of or phase out some of my lower end passenger cars such as Rivarossi/AHM/IHC in favor of better quality equipment not just for the better detailing etc. but for the way they simply run much better then the other no matter what you do to them. That being said you have to run what you can afford, unless your rich fairy godmother is dropping ou off a full set of Rapido’s or BLI’s or anything if that grade…lol

5

True, but look at some prototype photos - the real ones will vary as well!! I model UP, and the Armor Yellow is different on almost EVERY UP car!! My [2c]

6

Sandusky,

Are your Rivarossi’s the streamlined cars from the 1990s? If so, these are very easy to “tweak, and tune up” as well as adding body details. I have a batch that I regularly run with my Walthers Budds. I cut off the skirts, added P2K metal wheel sets and IHC interiors that I painted. I took the extra step and metalized them. Here’s a few of them:

Initially I was hesitant about putting money into my “Rivs” and had intended to sell them but decided to give it a try after seeing a beautifully detailed sleeper that was tricked out by modeler Joe Oates. It looked so good, that I first thought it was a brass model.

It’s a good idea to body mount Kadee couplers. I’ve tried the IHC talgo couplers, but I’ve found that even after making adjustments, they often droop down and can uncouple from cars with body mounted couplers.