Rapido Trains FL9 Manuallines - Missing Or Damaged Parts
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like to run your FL9 at the rear, we have conveniently provided you with operating red
classification lights on the nose in DC and DCC.
For the 1.5 of you modeling Grand Central Terminal in New York, we offer a “Grand
Central Terminal mode” on the model in which it emulates the third-rail power pickup
used in the terminal and tunnels. More information on this neat feature can be found in
the “Operation – DCC/DC with Sound” section of the manual, beginning on page 8.
Another feature of our FL9 is “straight to eight.” On real passenger locomotives – espe-
cially in commuter service – the engineer just puts the throttle into Notch 8 (full power)
and accelerates out of the station. We’ve recreated this on the model, should you desire
it. For more information on how it works, please refer again to the “Operation – DCC/
DC with Sound” section of the manual.
It is 100% prototypical for your FL9 to be pressed into freight service, especially on fast
TOFC trains, so go convince all of your freight modeler friends to buy one (or six).
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING YOUR LOCOMOTIVE
We try and make sure that every locomotive is perfectly up to spec before it leaves the
factory, but if the karaoke was particularly good the night before your model was as-
sembled there may be a couple of bugs. Doing a quick pre-service check will solve most
operational glitches.
• Check to see that all wheelsets are correctly in gauge using an NMRA RP-2
Standards Gauge. Should any of the wheelsets be out of gauge, than remove the
affected wheelset from the truck by prying off the bottom lid of the gearbox with
a small flat screwdriver. The wheelset can be regauged by grabbing each wheel
and twisting. Reverse the steps to replace the wheelset, and ensure the gearbox
cover is snapped into place before placing on the track.
• Check that all underbody piping and appliances are firmly installed and clear of
the track. Of particular note are the air hoses on the ends of the locomotive and
both coupler trip pins. Bend up any low coupler trip pins so they don’t interfere
with your switches and crossings. We recommend using Kadee part #237 (Trip
Pin Pliers) or Micro-Mark part #80600 (Trip Pin Bending Plier).
• Make sure that the trucks swivel freely and without binding. If they catch on any-
thing, check to ensure that the ends of the trucks don’t bind against any under-
body piping or conduit. If they do, see that everything is firmly installed.
MISSING OR DAMAGED PARTS
If you open your FL9 box and discover that something has obviously been bumped in
transit and is damaged, please contact us. If a part has broken off, the easiest way to