Model Railroader – September 2019

September 2019 65

I simply waved the included Rapido
Lighter (essentially a magnet on a plastic
stick) over the front of the car.

DCC operation. The performance chart
above is for a single car. Both 191 and
192 achieved identical results and accel-
erated smoothly to scale 83 mph, which
is close to the prototype’s top speed.
After programming both cars’
addresses to their specific locomotive
number, I advanced consisted them to
run back to back, just like their proto-
types. The models ran smoothly without
any additional speed matching required.
The consist speeds were identical to
those of the single-car tests.
The printed instruction manual
included with the set lists some DCC
programming tips. For a more extensive
decoder guide as well as links to free
LokProgrammer software, visit the ESU
website at http://www.esu.eu/en.
Note that there is no drawbar pull test
data. The Rapido Budd car mechanism
isn’t designed to pull an unpowered car,
and doing so will void the manufactur-
er’s warranty.

DCC sound and light. Pressing F8
started the diesel engine sounds. In addi-
tion to the horn and bell, other user-
triggered sound effects include a slow
and fast grade crossing signal. The head-
lights, marker lights, and door-mounted
Gyralight are controlled by individual
function buttons.
The overall volume and the volume
level of each sound effect can be adjusted
via CVs. All the functions can also be
mapped to any available throttle key.
Two of my favorite features are the
function button controlled brake (F4)
and straight to 4 (F3). The latter

simulates the prototypical practice of the

engineer putting the engine into notch 4

(Budd cars had only 4 notches) so that it

would accelerate quickly.

DC operation. The instructions warn

against running the sound-equipped

Budd car using older power packs that

are prone to voltage spikes, as this could

destroy the model’s electronics. For our

DC tests, I ran the model with both an

MRC Tech 4 and Bachmann power pack

without any problems.

As the charts above show, the model

accelerated smoothly on our DC test

track. The model has some built-in

momentum, which I thought made oper-

ation more realistic.

The Budd cars also ran well as a pair

throughout the voltage range and were

perfectly speed matched out of the box.

In DC, sound effects are limited to

the diesel engine. Both the headlights

and marker lights operate automatically

according to the Budd car’s direction of

travel. Note that in paired operation

both cars’ markers will be illuminated,

which isn’t prototypical.

As of this writing the Rapido Trains

RDCs are sold out at the manufacturer,

but they are still available at online and

brick-and-mortar retailers. Whether you

model the Santa Fe or are looking for a

Budd Car in another road name, the

Rapido Trains RDCs are definitely worth

seeking out. – Dana Kawala, senior editor

Facts & features

Price: $450 (DC no sound), $650 (DCC

sound)

Manufacturer

Rapido Trains

500 Alden Road, Unit 21

Markham, ON L3R 5H5

rapidotrains.com

Era: 1957 to 1968 (as detailed and

decorated for ATSF)

Features:

• 33" blackened metal wheels, in gauge


• All-wheel drive and electrical pickup


• Dual five-pole, skew-wound motors


• Kadee metal knuckle couplers mounted
  at correct height


• Minimum radius: 18"


• Optional user-applied details


• Simulated stainless-steel finish


• Weight: 10.8 ounces

PERFORMANCE CHARTS

DRAWBAR

PULL

N/A

N/A

SCALE SPEED (DC)

VOLTS SCALE MPH

8.5 (start) 4

927

10 40

11 56

12 76

SCALE SPEED (DCC)

SPEED STEP SCALE MPH

1 2.2

736

14 65

21 80

28 83

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