Rapido has announced the new models of the PENNSYLVANIA X-31B rounded roof boxcars.
I am very excited. The only semi-decent model of this car has been the brass one by Nickle Plate Products, and it was not very good. The Bowser models have molded on ladders, which is a non-starter for me.
These are $50.00 each. I pre-ordered three of them. Two single doors and one double door. I hope to use them as Sheldon’s ATLANTIC CENTRAL freight cars in my Fleet Of Nonsense. The models I pre-ordered are listed as undecorated kits.
I hope these do not fall to the same fate as the Rapido Undecorated PA locomotives where they decioded not to make the undecorated models.
For $13 vs $50, I could shave off a lot of molded on ladders… just saying.
Now this is something I might go for, I could see a handful floating around even a rival railroad. But I’m not about to pre-order. Never have, never needed to. Bet I’ll find plenty a few weeks after they arrive. Always do.
Not so much with the undecorated models. As we have seen, if pre-orders are not enough, Rapido will not hesitate to pull the plug on the undecorated versions.
Rapido says it is also going to do the rather distinctive trucks that the Pennsy used, with combo leaf and coil springs. There might be a separate market for those trucks from the die hard Pennsy fans.
…and the CASO also used a similar truck under some of their rebuilt 1914 boxcars…
I was interested in buying one of Rapido’s doubledoor version (the non-automobile one), but was told that I cannot buy just one. That means that I likely won’t be buying any.
You should never preorder anything. If and when the product is released and I like it I will buy it. Have I missed out on items I really wanted? Yes! But that is ok, there is always something else I want.
I’m not in the habit of putting my money on hold for a year or more waiting for a product that they just can’t get right or as promised. Does it mean something may not get built? Yes but I don’t care there is always something else.
Wayne - are you sure about that? They list each variation as both a 6 pack and a single.
If I was going to preorder from anyoone, it would be Rapido, the products are always top quality, and since they have their own factory they aren’t as subject to the whims of other customers of the factory like many other companies that use shared facilities are. It never seems that the model misses out on production because they needed just ONE more order, it’s usually several dozen short, so my one isn’t likely to make or break the thing, and then when they do make them, there’s always someone who preordered who backs out, and they make more than ordered anyway, perhaps to produce nice round numbers based on one or more of the manufacturing processes. Like maybe the sprues of detail parts produce enough for 50 cars each. Total ordered in the preorder needs ONE part off the last sprue, leaving 49 more - they’ll likely build the extra 49 cars to use up the parts they already had to make and pay for.
You should never preorder anything. If and when the product is released and I like it I will buy it. Have I missed out on items I really wanted? Yes! But that is ok, there is always something else I want.
I’m not in the habit of putting my money on hold for a year or more waiting for a product that they just can’t get right or as promised. Does it mean something may not get built? Yes but I don’t care there is always something else.
Rapido has cancelled undecorated models in the past because of lack of preorders. This effected me directly on the PA diesel models. If they do not get enough pre-orders, they do not “bet the company” on the hopes buyes will show up.
Rapido only charges my credit card $1.00 until the order is actually completed.
Unfortunately with undecorated models, there is very rarely something else.
Yeah, I went through the whole pre-order process, for a single car, and when I got to the part to complete my order and pay the required buck, I got a message that I could not buy only a single car. I have contacted Rapido, and hope to eventually hear from them.
I have bought Rapido cars, as undecorated kits, in the past, so I’ll wait to see if I hear from them. I want to support them, but my resources are somewhat limited and my needs even more limited…
(many of those boxes hold multiple cars, and those shelves have been completely filled since the photo was taken - not shown are passenger cars, MoW equipment, and locomotives.)
My layout’s era is, for the most part, outside of that of most of their releases, and I already have many suitable representations of USRA doublesheathed boxcars and wooden reefers.
If you order DIRECT from Rapido, you can only order 6-packs , not single cars. These packs are how they ship to their dealers as well. The dealers are fully EXPECTED to open up the packs and sell individually. (The six-pack is the plain brown cardboard “lot” boxes that they send to the dealers/distributors, not special packaging.)
If you want single cars, or a specific mix of cars, place an order with your favourite shop.
The Rapido page specifically has a line item for pre-ording a single car. However, it appears you need to order TWO. I got as far as checkout and it said a minimum of two. You don’t have to get a 6 pack.
I’ve found the opposite is true. When I bought a Rapido F40PH from Lombards, it was significatly cheaper than direct at Rapido. Same with several other vendors I deal with.
