Rapido RDCs Status

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have been watching for some word when the Rapido RDCs would be avaiable; they had been listed in Walthers as due Oct 31. I just found this note on the Rapido site in their News section:

The factory is working flat out on HO scale RDCs. At this point, all of the Phase 1 RDCs are scheduled to leave the factory by AIR around November 15th. All going well, they will be en route to stores around December 1st. The Phase 2 RDCs - including our 6133 exclusive - will leave the factory in mid-December by ocean, and will be sent to stores in January.

In another area:

RDC DELIVERY SCHEDULE:
Shipment 1
November 30 depart China, arrive in Canada in first week of December – CN Noodle, B&M Minuteman, C&EI, CNJ, LIRR, New Haven Script, New Haven McGinnis and PRSL.
Shipment 2
January 3 depart China, arrive in Canada end of January – Remainder of Phase I RDC-1 units
Shipment 3
January 20 depart China, arrive in Canada end of February – All Phase II RDC-1 units.

2

Jason personally loaded seven pallets of them into the truck!

I had not preordered any but I might try to hook one when they hit North America!

Regards, Ed

3

Ed:

Thanks for the Rapido video. Very interesting to see and hear about the production process. I wish I had the steady hands and good eyes!

I noticed nobody was wearing safety shoes except maybe Jason! Oh well, its their toes!

Dave

4

Good to hear the RDC’s are still coming, despite delays at the factory. They look so much better than the Walthers RDC’s.

5

This video should be mandatory viewing for anyone talking about bringing manufacturing back to the US by edict.

CG

6

I agree. And, I was contemplating the investment of ~$30 or so each for the NWSL “speed-up” gearing that would allow my Walthers RDCs to overcome the 40 MPH speed barrier they have. I’m sure the Rapido models will operate at closer to passenger speeds.[Y]

Ed

7

I’d like to see a Rock Island or Western Pacific RDC, or better yet an ATSF Warbonnet RDC.