The Ever Present Rapido Nightmare!

rray Mar 29, 2000

  1. eddelozier

    eddelozier TrainBoard Member

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    Andrew,
    Somewhere in another forum the idea of using KATO couplers for passenger cars was discussed. I started to use them and asked about their quality.
    Well they work well with psgr cars. They are not automatic but, look okay, couple well and have a short enough extension to keep the psgr cars closely coupled.
    They come 20 sets to a pack. Two piece T style, snap together easy. They slip into to the old rapido pockets with out too much strain. Only cost be $6 for the pack of 20.

    ..eddelozier

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    Eddie Delozier
     
  2. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    The Katos are okay, but I am a Micro Train freak, and I also love their trucks, so it is a win win loose (price) situation. The problem with the Katos is that they are so wide apart between the knuckle and the other thing (?)


    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  3. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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  4. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    I too switched over to the Kato couplers for my concor passenger cars. It is Kato part No.: 11-702. Cars equipped with these couple very close. One hint on adding these is to cut back on the plastic prong on the coupler pocket that holds the spring in place. It is too long and will contact the rear of the coupler and interfere with its operation. Cut it back a fraction so it doesn't touch and reinsert the spring. I use some ruber cement to hold the spring in place. No necessary but don't like to go looking for those things.
     
  5. hotrod4x5

    hotrod4x5 TrainBoard Member

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    10 years has passed. Used and mint in box rolling stock can still be bought with rapidos, and I think some locomotives still ship with rapidos. Does anyone know, are rapidos gone completely from new stuff?

    I dunno, rapidos stay connected, they don't look so great, but I don't mind them so much.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 24, 2010
  6. N&W

    N&W TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, blast from the past!

    I'm pretty sure Model Power stuff still has Rapidos. That just might be the last stronghold for North American N scale models.

    Mark
     
  7. swissboy

    swissboy TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, progress indeed. We are not that lucky yet in Europe. Rapido couplers are still the ugly standard. :(
     
  8. PF2488

    PF2488 E-Mail Bounces

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    Page 16, N scale Railroading (March / April 2010)shows the new release of the Walthers Thrall 5 unit stack car. Coupler of choice shown in a close up of the end unit? Rapido.
     
  9. hotrod4x5

    hotrod4x5 TrainBoard Member

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    So I guess after ten years, it is still around. Seems it will never go away. It must be cheaper for the manufacturers.
     
  10. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I run (C)Rapidos on my Amtrak train. Half my rolling stock still have em. Easier to couple...and stay that way. They dont 'explode' like other couplers. They dont fall out of the coupler pockets like others do. The dont break...not even after an endo off the layout onto the floor. They may be ugly...but they are dependable.

    I say........BRING BACK THE (C)RAPIDOS !!!!

    *just kidding...relax...LOL


    .
     
  11. oldrk

    oldrk TrainBoard Supporter

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    Being an N scale guy for 45 years I have a soft spot in my heart for Rapido couplers. That doesnt translate to a soft spot in my head. I still have some stuff with Rapido couplers and I cant get them to stay together since the height isnt always the same. I use tons of MT 1015s.
     
  12. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    But...your MT's wont stay coupled either...if they are at different heights. Adjust the (C)Rapidos... ;-)


    .
     
  13. kmcsjr

    kmcsjr TrainBoard Member

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    I'll start with I like my MP locos and my MP fed ex and coffin manufacturer cars. That said, I was in the MP train store on long island. MP hasn't put out any new rolling stock in years. My understanding is they tried to strike a deal with MTL, but MTL wants list for the trucks and couplers. They have a bunch of N locos for sale at list in the store and some n rolling stock. The focus is definitely HO. I was dissapointed because I would have bought a few fed ex cars. The web site looks like you could order anything, but it doesn't exist. Why am I rambling? Because I think MP was a Rapido hold out, now they are just out.

    Also, I don't see the rapido dying soon. I have 2 Kato Hobbytrain Tauruses. Not only are they Rapido, but I can see NO way to asthetically swap out the coupler for a functional knuckle coupler. Europe seems to be sticking to its Rapidos.
     
  14. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Wow, this a blast from the past... Over the past 10 years I have gotten into Z Scale, and the Rapido nightmare is still with me! Yes, the very last locomotives i purchased, seven Tenshodo D51 Mikado's all came with Rapido couplers in Z Scale! Yup, they shrunk them down to Z. It seems Rapido's are the coupler of choice in Japan, and you know what the Japanese do best... Shrink things.

    Here is a picture of a Japanese loco with the Z Rapidos:
    http://www.nn3.ca/images2/pro-z-ef65-pilot-chassis-connection-2.JPG

    As if that were not enough, 2 years ago a new scale came out called T Gauge, also Japanese, and they too did the shrink thing even more, to the Rapido, and they call their new coupler... Drumroll please... The Type R!
    http://www.trainaidsa.com/shop/tgauge/TG_Coupler_R.jpg

    haha! "The Ever Present Rapido Nightmare" lives on to haunt me, where ever I may model!
     
  15. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    The cRapido was one of the reasons why I hadn't converted to N scale earlier, and what kept me away from the scale for so long. It wasn't until the past decade where the majority of newer, quality stuff, and new manufacturers products, started coming out cRapido-free.

    Thank goodness for the Athearns, Exactrails, BLMAs, Deluxe Innovations, etc of the world for never releasing any N scale product with cRapidos on!
     
  16. kmcsjr

    kmcsjr TrainBoard Member

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    I need a new commandment "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors train budget!" seven!
     
  17. oldrk

    oldrk TrainBoard Supporter

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    And how?

    I honestly dont know of a way to adjust a rapido truck mounted coupler that is 1/16" different from the next one.
     
  18. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Major blast from the past, indeed. And yes, I had Rapidos about 1/16" apart in height. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I switched out the Rapidos on some passenger consists, as they were pretty well hidden.

    Today, I trim the trucks down to just the hole and a bit of the crosspiece. They make perfect boom holders on the posts of my N scale ships!
     
  19. Chaya

    Chaya TrainBoard Supporter

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    Aha! Finally something I can do with my Rapido couplers!

    Now I just have to build a seaport...

    :tb-wacky:
     
  20. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    From what I read on the Graham Farish website Bachmann will be making their Mchenry clone available with an NEM coupler mount, but what is needed as well is a T-shank coupler to replace non-NEM mounted rapidos. I'd buy them in bulk lots to convert my Japanese rolling stock.
     

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