N Scale Rapido GMD-1 Review

[@havoc_hobby2429]

TMK option 5 is the horn on option 5 is meant to represent the engine approaching a crossing.

[@nscaler454]

Thank you, I didn't know that. I wouldn't expect a single button push to have 5 horns, all sounding a little different.

[@havoc_hobby2429]

@Nscaler454 not a problem, i use to hear that exact pattern all the time in northern alberta. Pattern is 2 long followed by 1 short, and ended with 1 long until the lead engine enters/clears the crossing.

[@xfiles-thetruthisoutthere8038]

I had two of these and barley ran them because they kept cutting out on Atlas code 55. Very clean track a tiny bit of oil on the gears and it didn't matter. They had to be run at a faster speed which didn't look correct and still they bucked at the switches. Well I sold them and I do miss the great detail on them for sure.

[@NYCS19339]

The round tank is am air tank and the extra window add on is the winterized window.

[@FrankKennyCPRXModelRailroad]

That option 5 is the crossing warning horn sound all in one sequence.

[@AlexBendicson-lt3jo]

Also, the reason the Rapido GMD1s don't run very good right our of the box, is because Rapido trains did not reduce the gearing with a shoulder gear, like every one else does, so that the motor will turn faster and the locomotive will travel slower.

[@AlexBendicson-lt3jo]

Like Atlas and Kato did, this makes the N scale locomotive more resistant to noticing slightly dirty track and makes them running better.

[@AlexBendicson-lt3jo]

I have 3 GMD-1s in the NAR paint livery, the run great attack speeds, but at yard speeds are highly susceptible to stalling at slightly uneven joints and joints that have gaps that are just a little to wide, everything else that I have from companies that have been making N scale model train locomotives have learned this lesson way back in the late 1980s.

[@davidballoid2118]

Yellow things in the dime-bag are re-railers as wheels would sometimes pick the switch and come off the track.

[@FrankKennyCPRXModelRailroad]

Parts bag is a winterization window. Helps keep crews warm and allows them to see forward and reverse without opening window. Yellow parts are the details, as mentioned.

[@GoViaorgohome]

That multi horn option is like a Doppler effect. Also the little yellow bits are retailers. Odd that it didn’t work better out of the box. Great overview though.

[@brianclow5704]

I have 2 six axle models by Rapido and am very happy with them Using an NCE control system they have smooth slow speed control. One has sound very similar to yours. They actually recorded a real unit to get the sound as accurate as they could. Both of mine will pull about 7 cars without any problems. any more and they tend to start slipping.

[@nscaler454]

I am super impressed by the sounds.

[@davelucas8381]

The window thingie is a winterization cover for the window. The yellow thingies are re-railers. I glued the window on mine, but not the re-railers.

[@xfiles-thetruthisoutthere8038]

I bought two of these ‘new’ when they first came out. Great paint, superb detail and that’s where it declines. I use Atlas code 55 track and turnouts. These units hesitate and sometimes stalls over the switches. Until they are run for awhile, they run choppy till they are warmed up. Lightly oil the gears hopefully it would improve, nope. So they sit, new, collecting dust. Might be better on code 80, 100 or even code 65? Hope this helps future buyers. 👽

[@nscaler454]

Very interesting. I am running Peco code 55. I noticed a few glitches through some turnouts but blamed it on my dirty track more than anything. Cleaning the wheels made a big difference for me, and I find that running mine around speed setting 8 or higher works really smooth.

[@someguy2637]

Seems to run pretty well right out of the box, but like most locomotives I think it will preform a bit better after a "break in" period. Great review thanks for posting it.

[@nscaler454]

I would love it if it ran even better after some break in.

[@jeronimomindsweeper1239]

Mine was ok out of the box but later became more hesitant and occasionally jerky. It was bought as DC but as it accepts Next18, converting to (silent) DCC was very easy. One headlamp has since failed, and alas, one of those attractively detailed hood grills has gone on vacation somewhere! A very attractive model, but never a great runner - and not a patch on Rapido’s Dash-8.. now, that’s a puller!

[@nscaler454]

thanks for sharing your experience. I wonder if mine will develop similar issues.

[@brianclow5704]

the yellow accessories are rerailers that hang off the side of the chassis.

[@nscaler454]

I love how someone always has answers to the things we don't know. Thank you!

[@cpwhiskycreek]

The CN noodle isn’t faded it’s pre weathered 😊

[@trainsforbrains]

I think I am the person you mentioned who put ditch lights in one. I'm the only one I know of anyways. The worst part was drilling through the frame. It is metal. Someone with better tools than my micro drill and dull bits would have an easier time, but I got it done. Function 5 is Grade crossing with a doppler effect, so 2 shorts and a long, but they get louder as they play, as if the train is getting closer. As others have mentioned, the yellow things are re railers that hang from the frame above one of the trucks. I forget if its the front or rear, but I knocked mine off enough times I just leave them off. The GMD-1 is one of my fave locomotives, both the Rapido model, and the prototype. I have 2 models. They both run and sound great.

[@Dr.K_N.Scaler]

Great review! Looking forward to more!

[@nscaler454]

Thanks Doc

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Sometimes you just got to hold it and spin the wheels on the track. Bob

[@AlexBendicson-lt3jo]

To start with, what you thought might be an oil tank is, in fact the air resivour tank, for the air brakes. Second the reason that the CN wet noodles emblem looks too dark is because Rapido Trains painted the Carbody black first, then added the CN gray later instead of painting the Carmody where the wet Noodle is supposed to be , CN gray first than abbing the CN wet Noodle logo with a silk screening system which would leave Avery nice CN wet noodle emblem the proper color.

[@donaldshroyer8633]

It would be nice to know what DCC decoder is in this unit.

[@randydobson1863]

hello nscaler454 its is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks friends randy

[@roady1710]

How about this theory you press option 5 it's pre-programmed for a series of horns coming to a bridge or maybe a crossing so all you have to do is press 5 when you're about 3 or 4 ft coming to a bridge or your road crossing Orange blow for you

[@brentoar7118]

The yellow parts I believe rerailers

[@WilliamAlsdorf-j6j]

I might respect your review more ( and I do ) if you recognized retailers when you saw them. W Alsdorf

[@kraag]

the yellow parts are rerailers

[@WMI506]

The CN white never looks bright. I stare at them all day workin with them. But id agree not quite bright enough

[@RichardM-m1b]

That's because it's not white it's Gray. If you collect the road do some research.

[@baronjutter]

You might want to avoid using alcohol to clean track/wheels. It's one of the worst things you can use. You want to use something non-polar, like mineral spirits. Been a lot of science in the world of track cleaning over the last decade.

[@nscaler454]

Someone mentioned Windex. I tried once, it seemed to work good on the tracks.

[@someguy2637]

Mineral spirits may damage some plastics and paint finish

[@scottleidenberger4401]

CRC contact cleaner and protectant works very well. Agreed alcohol is not a good choice.

[@tonyl7418]

Yellow parts look like re-railers.

[@harolds_talking_channel]

I'm not inprest.

[@RichardM-m1b]

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