Rapido Trains CPR 2816 - Test Runs

[@2026_Productions]

Fantastic work with the pacing shots; I think I suddenly understand why 2816 has become the highly vaunted model that it is, it looks absolutely stunning. Part of me is half-tempted to keep an eye out for one as I forgot it was part of the F. Nelson Blount collection. Another great model showcase (I enjoyed the green IHC 4-6-2 in the background).

[@trainmaster844]

@@2026_Productions Thank you! The pacing shot was done by simply putting my phone on a flatcar and hand-rolling it alongside. The 2816 models command a steep price, but I wish you luck in finding one! The green IHC engine is an old Mehano Southern 2-8-2, which sees occasional use, as the layout can be flipped from DCC to DC power.

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

Yes, my favorite steam locomotive.

[@pinchy08]

I hope 2860 will be restored one day. I’m already envisioning 2816 and 2860 would do a doubleheader in the near future. A cross Canada tour maybe.

[@trainmaster844]

I think it'd be a good possibility that 2816 goes on a cross Canada tour sometime soon. 2860 needs a lot of work before it can possibly run again.

[@imagreatbigman]

I guess that is the closest we're ever going to get to see the Empress and the Royal Hudson be side by side. Unless something changes in the future. But I'm curious. Do both models have the option to blow both whistles that they have?

[@trainmaster844]

@@imagreatbigman Both models have 2816’s air whistle as a Doppler sound on them; however, only one main whistle can be sounded. The CPR air whistle sound file on 2860 sounded terrible, so I went with the Swanson 6-Chime instead.

[@doge_sevens]

i have a rapido trains 2839 royal hudson so i cant wait to get my 2816, i need to pull a double header with them! also why is the whistle on your 2860 so low pitched? its not like that from the factory

[@trainmaster844]

@@doge_sevens I’m not sure why it’s lower pitched; I remember it being much higher, too. I’ll have to ask a friend who knows more about it than me.

[@connerhills5665]

This could've been a great character for your old Model Railroad Chronicles (TMRC) series you used to do back in the day... 😉

[@trainmaster844]

@@connerhills5665 If I had DCC, the series would’ve been more lively, but I’m sure I wouldn’t want to ruin a beautiful engine like her (especially with some of the stuff I put the others through).

[@connerhills5665]

@trainmaster844 True. I still remember that series back when I was a kid and I do recall you mentioning in a video from back then that it wasn't DCC or double-track but I will say it was probably my favourite of all those old Thomas-style series the railfan community used to do in those early days. How come it was discontinued after a while and do you still have any of the models from the series?

[@trainmaster844]

I only have a handful of models from the TMRC days. A lot of them have been sold on to run with other owners. I discontinued the series out of a combination of life piling up on me and procrastination. I feel that my current content is much higher quality and more in line with what I’d like to present.

[@connerhills5665]

@trainmaster844 I see. What were the future plans for TMRC after the Three Stooges episode that was never finished before you decided to discontinue the series? My favourite character in the series was definitely Sam (Susquehanna 142) and I actually have a 142 model just like yours nowadays in my model train collection.

[@joneau261]

Are the ditchlights removable?

[@trainmaster844]

@@joneau261 Sadly, no. But they can be left unlit if the operator doesn’t want them on.

[@James-Railyard]

@@trainmaster844in the opening shot it looks like one was looking at the track and the other is looking at the sky.

[@trainmaster844]

@@James-Railyard The ditch lights might be a bit off kilter, but I’m worried about potentially damaging the model if I try adjusting them.

[@michaelsmith441]

Still annoyingly waiting for mine, unsure how bad hurricane Helene affected usps routes but hopefully I will get mine soon. 😬( thoughts and prayers to those affected)

[@jacobclark9121]

How did you manage to get the British Columbia and the Canada sign on 2860? I tried twice and I felt it looked weird.

[@trainmaster844]

@@jacobclark9121 I had a friend help glue them into place.

[@ChargerusPrime]

Having chased 2816 myself down to Laredo Texas, I have to admit this engine REALLY burned me out and I just didn't even want to look at it after the fact even in videos or model form. I want to someday have an O scale collection of the CPR big 3, the empress, a CPR Selkirk 2-10-4 and one of the CPR 4-8-4s.

[@trainmaster844]

@@ChargerusPrime At least you were lucky enough to see her on a once in a lifetime tour 🤷 I’ve yet to see her for myself, so the model is the closest I’m getting to that right now.

[@ChargerusPrime]

@@trainmaster844 well that is fair to say and you're right, I'm not ungrateful. For the life of me I just don't know why I was so burnt out on this engine.