Rapido Trains is about to issue a series of modern style cabooses that are based on a CP prototype. These must be the most detailed cabooses for the mass market; they even come with a fine interior detailing. However, their recent announcement shows the same model in various paint schemes that I presume are not really prototypical. Rapido HO Scale Wide-Vision Caboose Thus my question, did DRGW, Conrail and some other US railroads have the particular (Canadian style) version, or are these "approximations", to put it mildly? At the very least, the size of the cupola windows seems different. I very much appreciate that Rapido Trains starts producing Canadian cabooses. But I hate the idea of getting the reverse of what had been unsatisfactory models so far. Athearn and others have been producing US style cabooses in Canadian paint schemes for years. And I'm afraid that we now get the reverse version as well which does not make it any better. It always makes me wonder what else that I'm considering is purely an invention of a marketing department. To some people that does not matter, but I consider it cheating potential customers if it is not clearly declared. Athearn has recently come up with some modern diesels in paint schemes of fallen flags. But these had been clearly declared as such. That, I think, is not only correct, it will also lead to satisfied customers in the long run.
Not having received any replies up to now, I have done some searching. Though this search is undoubtedly less representative than the assumed accumulated knowledge on this forum, my conclusions are that those US paint schemes are all on a non-prototypical model. The cupola windows are different, most prominent on the front and rear. But the body also has different windows, often more per side than the two of the model. Thus, it would not be a matter of just replacing the cupola. Though one with the typical US windows would go a long way towards a more credible rendition. No doubt, they look fantastic the way they are. And many could care less, I'm sure. It strikes me as pretty odd, nevertheless, seeing how painstakingly Rapido Trains is appoaching their other projects. In particular their upcoming FP9 which will be hard to beat. Rapido Telegraph No. 21 - F-Unit Special And maybe, it's those US road paint schemes that provide the funding for the true to prototype models! Well, one could say, why should I care about those cabooses. Main thing, I will finally get the long sought after prototypical Canadian models. I doubt I'll ever do my resin model kit that has been waiting in my attic for well over a decade.
Once again, Rapido is marching to their own Canadian drummer. Hey, it IS their ball and bat! Just like their passenger cars, which were (and are) absolutely state-of-the-art but based on clearly Canadian prototypes. OTOH, the only really universal cabooses around were the Int'l car Co. cars, and p'raps the NE type cabooses...both of which have been done over and over. So...be happy, model CPR, or just enjoy the model for what it is. It WOULD be nice to have them do F units in US roads, but does the world REALLY need another HO F7??? Another can of worms entirely....
Seems that Rapido is attempting to produce very correct equipment for the Canadian prototype market, rather than just putting Canadian paint on a US or generic car, as most others have done...sorta puts the shoe on the other foot! Where I worked, didn't see any Conrail Wide-Vision cabins, as lots of serviceable PC/PRR cars were available, many rebuilt in Sam Rea Shops in Holidaysburg, Pa. Likely the paint jobs help amortize the fine/expensive engineering and production work done by Rapido, and allow those less persnickety about prototype to acquire a beautiful van/cabin/hack/caboose/waycar for their railroad. I'm all for it ! Regards, Bob C.
My only gripe is actually that they don't declare the "approximation". It does not fit their strive for absolute originality that they show otherwise. I have two of their CP cabooses and one for ONR on order. Thus very much appreciate getting protypically correct ones for a change.
The details are superb; best I've seen to date. I saw the Cabooses on woo woo woo woo woo woo. Can't wait for the CSX model to arrive. Well found out that Rapido canceled the CSX edition. And most of the others have sold out Nice job Rapido has done in my opinion.:thumbs_up:
Two Smokestacks? Are all of the Rapido cabooses supposed to have two stoves and chimneys? Was that a CP prototype? I see guys running the Cotton Belt caboose with two smokestacks and it doesn't seem correct. Thanks for the help.
Rapido Caboose The caboose produced by Rapido is a Canadian Pacific caboose. There might have been some other Canadian roads that had similar but the Rapido model is based on a CP prototype. The Rapido models are ":thumbs_up:Excellent"
I seen a blue one at The Train Shop, GN paint I think, but the dual funnel stacks jumped out at me, and said CP. Most of those other roads Rapido did were single stack with a slightly more off centered cupola. I guess lots of people just see the paint scheme, and jump on them.
Yeah, most of them are false schemes. but if the only issue you see is the smokejack, then take one off. And it is entirely pssoble for one to have been handed down on the secondary market. What I want to see is a Point Saint Charles. I've missed every plastic/resin release of the sucker and can't afford the new brass. I need one for the CMPA
Grand Trunk (W) ran a similar hack on the rear of their runs between Port Huron and Fint in the 1982-1985 era. They were always red. I know because my Mom almost drove into one on a February night in '85. This was a month after she almost drove in front of one of GTW's GP-40's at the same crossing...thinking its headlight was a porch light of a neighboring house. I biked a lot after that until I earned my drivers license. -Mark
Bycicle smart. At least it was dark both times. I'm still tryin to figure out how one tbones a STAINLESS FRIKKIN' STEEL SILVER Budd Carbody in broad daylight. Least I wasn't in the train or the car. two words Flash, cell. phone. GTW joined the canadians didn't they? I wonder if that wasn't part of a whistle-whetter, and Rapido did say those cabs did make it into secondhand service.
I explain to my not-in-the-know friends when we are watching a freight roll by why they put reflective tape on the side of all cars now. It always gets the same response. "How the $^$##$%#@!!!!!! do you drive into something that big and not see it?". It happens. GTW was the American branch of the Grand Trunk Railway which was absorbed into the Canadien National RR. It was always Canadien, der, eh. I figure we saw as many of them as we did because the GTW and CN make crew safety one of their priorities, as they see thier employees as an asset. Unlike most US companies who see their employees as a cost/liability and wanted to yank the caboose as soon as legally possible.
