Lance Mindheim’s Mantra of Reliability

I rant and rave about Rapido's impossible to open models and lack of quality control.
SW1200 video courtesy of ‪@MLWQC‬ available @ • SW1200 Sound Features
Bonus video: • A Love Letter to Rapido If you are curious about my creative process, this is the original video I had made on this topic.

Пікірлер: 158

  • @MLWQC
    @MLWQC2 жыл бұрын

    Lance is 100% correct. There is no point having a beauty queen if she cannot walk the walk or talk the talk. 5 times? This is beyond incompetence. Quality control is something that is not part of their experience PLUS the impossible to open model, what is with that? The amount of problems you experience is , sadly, not unique to you. The problem with the decoder and shorting out a layout is widespread too. Shear incompetence is right. Overpriced ,unreliable, poorly manufactured, poorly running, paper-weight! Excellent truthful video. Well done

  • @lepetitnabot
    @lepetitnabot2 жыл бұрын

    The market is like 80% collectors so, what do you expect? Give me an Atlas model any day of the week.

  • @budgiedeluxe8652
    @budgiedeluxe86522 жыл бұрын

    I find atlas locomotives (particularly their GPs and SDs) are absolutely amazing runners and well enough detailed to be a great choice.

  • @silverfox5319
    @silverfox5319

    Excellent video. There is nothing wrong with calling out a manufacturer for poor design and workmanship, no less one of the top model railroad companies. You are doing modelers and Rapido a big favor. If they have responsible management they will make the necessary changes to improve. Wishing you the best in model railroading.

  • @southplainsrr
    @southplainsrr2 жыл бұрын

    Atlas and Athearn Genesis are my go to. I avoid all other manufacturers no matter how good their locos look.

  • @jasonweir6345
    @jasonweir63452 жыл бұрын

    The stories I've heard/read about Rapido and their hit and miss quality control and reliability issues has made me very reluctant to buy any. I did buy 1 used GMD-1 that so far has performed well. I totally agree with you about having to fix issues r tuning up a $300+ loco that is advertised as RTR.I find Atlas and Kato locos to be among the best running on the market. Easy to work on, and the details, while not quite to the level of Scale Trains or Rapido, is acceptable imo, but most of all, they're reliable.

  • @gtown150
    @gtown150

    Can't go wrong with DC 12 volts...they never fail and cost half as much...

  • @blanetrain9584
    @blanetrain9584

    It seems annoying that Joe Fugate (one of the main guys behind MRH) would be one of those guys to say fix it yourself for RTR models. In my opinion, there's a difference between something small falling off and putting it back on versus the model running poorly as the latter can be a lot more hit and miss to rectify even with the right tools and knowledge (nothing ruins a beautiful model more than having it run poorly). I actually did a repair on a Rapido SW1200RS that the person had sent to Rapido twice to be fixed and came back both times with the same problem (turns out there was lubrication all around key electrical pickup points so the problem was finally resolved once I took apart both trucks and cleaned the pickups but the fact that Rapido couldn't figure that out was baffling to say the least). For your RS-18, I would secure a replacement motor from Rapido if you haven't already as the factory motors will die regardless of the CV fix Rapido has mentioned (might be worth having Rapido do it since getting inside it requires a decent amount of work like removing the cab and handrails to it plus even being careful may stll require paint touch ups). It's also annoying that Rapido insists the decoder is fine as the issue sounds like it could be the decoder itself or the motherboard but to test the dedoder on an ESU Decoder Tester requires opening the model yet again to see if that's the case

  • @cme8331
    @cme83312 жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately I have to agree...Rapido's quality is very low. It even extends to their cars...Shouldn't have to replace over half of the couplers on their freight cars. Have canceled my newsletter and won't be purchasing anymore of their products.

  • @friscobob56
    @friscobob56

    From what I gather, there seems to be a bit of arrogance coming from Rapido. And here I was looking forward to getting my hands on a U25B for my Frisco fleet....Thanks for taking the bullet for the rest of us.

  • @johncho8766
    @johncho87662 жыл бұрын

    But they look so cool.

  • @albertjones1386
    @albertjones1386

    When Rapido announced the SW 1200 in the New Haven scheme, I placed an pre order for it right away. However Walthers came out with theirs SW1200 sooner so I canceled the Rapido model. The Walthers model has been a great runner and it was a bit cheaper. I have found over the years that super detailed engines and cars look great but parts can come off or break off so quickly. Never had that problem back in the day with Athearn Blue Box.

  • @MMRails
    @MMRails2 жыл бұрын

    Very well done. Love your videos. Or essays. Video essays? You kept my attention all the way through. Sorry to hear about your SW. I really really wanted one, couldn’t find one, bought the Walthers one, now I’m glad I don’t own the Rapido one. :)

  • @DaveCoTrains
    @DaveCoTrains2 жыл бұрын

    It feels terrible when you buy something expensive and it doesn't work the way it should. Sometimes "you get what you pay for" just doesn't add up. Rapido's quality control is the worst I've seen. I got rid of my Rapido models and never looked back.

  • @TravelinginMiniature
    @TravelinginMiniature14 күн бұрын

    Man this is a well made video.

  • @What_If_We_Tried
    @What_If_We_Tried4 сағат бұрын

    Thank-you for making this video, and I need to dig my Life-Like Proto 2000s out of their boxes, give them a good cleaning / re-lube, and replace the cracked gears on half of the GPs.

  • @rustyc521
    @rustyc521 Жыл бұрын

    Bowser is another great one to put into the mix along with Atlas,Athern and Walthers for good smooth running locomotives! Just my two cents worth!

  • @dynamicloco2186
    @dynamicloco2186 Жыл бұрын

    Sooo glad I saw this video. I was just about to place a large order of consist locomotives from rapido. You saved me a lot of money time and frustration by the sounds!!

  • @cpwhiskycreek
    @cpwhiskycreek2 жыл бұрын

    Very informative perspective, certainly a case of never judge just based on appearance its what's inside that counts

  • @donniea5058
    @donniea5058

    All DCC locomotives should come from the factory equipped with "keep alives". These are premium models at premium prices. They should perform as well as they are detailed.