Model Train and Bus Factory in China 

Now this is what I call a professional workplace in my opinion and I like how you treat people like their family Please no hate comments or hate actions this is a friendly community so keep that that way Southwest Limited Productions🤠

I like the conversation between you and the worker Jay. Need to see more of that.

Jason you will never get rid of the hate trolls , that is there joy in life. I believe your doing a great job both for your staff and your customers. I have a small engines site I listen to and he has help me repair a riding lawnmower and he shared his top ten nasty comments I can not believe he get such hate mail and he only wants to help you fix your equipment. Keep up the good work and love your trains.

I like these factory tours. It’s amazing to see how these models are designed and made. Never realized there was so much work put into a model.

It's always a treat to see what is going on at Rapido's factory's and to see what it takes to make the high quality models that we get to enjoy. Keep up the great work and thank you for the transparency.

Jason, Always interested to see your production facilities in China. They very much resemble the electromechanical factory that I used to work in in Rugby, UK in the 1980s as a cost accountant. By that I mean that they are clean, bright and airy. The staff are moving in a calm and dedicated fashion. This tells me that however they are paid, they are not in a rush to mess up your trains. That of course comes through in your models. Notwithstanding different, economy, culture and country, there is an element of "model factory" going on here, which does not look contrived. I'm a great watcher of backgrounds in videos if you know what I mean. I for one am content that you find your producion taking place in China it being a function of the price and quality you wish to provide. I'm a free market economist so this is no surprise to me. The simple maths of how many skilled people can a country with 60m people, 360m people, 1 bn people provide explains a lot. I'm a great fan of your entire ethos. I don't own any of your stuff yet, but I'm sure that will change. Best wishes. Regards Stephen.

The same people who say "bring these jobs back to america" probably also don't realize that Rapido is a canadian company. But these videos are definitely enlightening.

Thank you for doing the factory videos it really puts a face to your models and the pride. Class act

Jason I think these videos are wonderful! Not only for the train making process but the way your factories look as well as all the highly skilled people that work there! 👍

Nice to see the Birmingham Guy buses coming along. Having worked on the 'real thing' at Wythall, I ccan't wait to get the model!

Always love watching your video's at any location, and making them in China people get to see the work conditions which are better than some here in the UK. Those who make the negative remarks as you say probably dont even buy models, but I bet models made in the USA do not have the same detail as a Rapido model. And being from the UK love the model bus and the fact it will have factory fitted lights WOW Keep up the good work both in production of models and of the videos

Hi Jason you guys put out quality trains. I got a good deal of FL 9 Locomotives from you guys. Looking forward to to getting more trains from you. Keep doing what you're doing.

I use Rapido as an example when I teach International Business. Thanks for always being open and honest about production. I always ask my students if they’d pay more for Canadian made products. Great video. -High School Teacher

I give you a big hug and keeping doing what you have been working hard to model train buyer, great work and really fun

Thanks for the update, I always look forward to them. Unlike many other manufacturers, you actually improve leaps and bounds with each new model you make. Looking forward to seeing some n scale production once that is in place.

Reading through the comments, I agree with all of the compliments I have read. Beyond the quality of the models, and the outstanding support you offer, I have another thing I really admire. That would be how you always take time to answer questions and interact with your customers. We all know you are extremely busy, but you always recognize the importance of trusting your customers well. I for one, really appreciate that.

Fascinating look into the workings of the factory. So good to get a first look at the Minnesota Commercial B36-7; can't wait to get mine down here in New Zealand!

You never really think of the time and effort involved in making these models. Truly blows my mind the attention to detail they have. Keep em coming and I’ll keep buying them. PS chopped nose GP9 wink wink nudge nudge.

And this is why I continue to buy Rapido Trains products!

Your mandarin is getting better. Chinese poetry is awesome, so much more can be expressed with the Chinese language. So interesting there as they use steam, diesel, electric, electric high speed trains, and maglev high speed trains in China. I wish they had better air quality, the nice Chinese population deserves it.

Hi Jason, informative as always, but in my case, you’re preaching to a converted. I like the way you present the people, the cleanliness of the Rapido factory etc. Even appreciate the silliness of your videos. I’m always amazed by the quality and the finishes of your products. Budget wise, it’s not easy with the family and would like to buy more from Rapido, but when I open a new box, I know it’s money well spent. Just can’t wait to see my next order, a classic CNR green and yellow RS-18, in my mailbox! Cheers, Marc

Jason, enjoy the videos and glad that you took the time to address those that say, why not make it in America". Not everything can be made here, and the fact that you show people that you and not "slaving" people out to get a product made speaks volumes about Rapido Trains. I just purchased my first Rapido Trains products, two Seaboard Coast Line mid-train dome cars and still gawking at all the details inside and outside, what a fine job and pleased as punch, will be purchasing more passenger cars as they are released, maybe a tad pricey but worth every cent of it. Keep doing what you do and thank you for sharing your passion with us all. Muse

I am one of those people who believes that Made In America is typically a sign of excellence in craftsmanship, HOWEVER: watching your factory videos, I am consistently impressed by the level of precision that your workers employ; your workers are well taken care of, and it shows in the finished product! Also, the price tag is a HUGE indicator of this fact; you guys aren't selling cheap plastic toys that break the moment that a toddler steps on them with no shoes on, but you're also not a Mattel-level company manufacturing average-quality products in China just to save a few bucks - these are TRUE scale models with an EXACTING attention to detail, executed with PRECISION, and are therefore well outside of my current budget range. That said, if I ever win the lottery (and that's a very big if, because I don't play the lottery lol), then I am certainly going to purchase AT LEAST a complete passenger consist from you guys! Keep up the good work, eh? :-D

Fantastic factory. The detail the workers do is breathtaking. Plus looks like happy workers in good conditions

Hi Jason and the entire Rapido Trains crew, I love these factory tour videos. It is very neat to see how these models are created, painted, assembled and tested. As for the naysayers, they can just go pound salt. I'm also very impressed Jason that you are fluent in Standard Mandarin, I tip my hat to you sir. One question I've often wondered, how many employees at the Rapido factory are model railroaders and how many model North American prototype railroads? Also just love the Rapido Trains corporate vehicle LOL. Cheers, Rich S.

Hey guys really enjoy your videos and the part of sincerity I applaud you for that! Yes I totally agree with you and to have them built in the States would be outrageously expensive and the quality control would not be as good sorry to say. Please keep the videos coming. Because of these I bought my fist item from you and plan on more. And Jason please give that lady a train engine for her son:) I

Cracking video Jason ! and appreciate the comment on the jobs etc ! and great to see the Brummie buses in production ! can't wait !

Excellent work. Keep doing what you're doing my friend. You can't always see it but you know it's there! 👍

Jason, when you pointed out the negative comments about the assembly jobs in China, slave labour, and working conditions. I didn't think Rapido Trains would get caught up in slave labour. Watching the videos gave me the impression the people working there are happy. If I ended up in China, I would want to assemble trains all day.

Great video. I'm always amazed how much work is needed for RTR model train. It is either made in China or Lemaco or Tenshodo prices. Or build kits and scratch build like I do.

Thanks for the tours keep them comming, your models are the best, a little out of my price range for now but love the details you put into them, but as soon as you do something in my roads, you can bet I'll be saving up to get one, maybe more. It's nice to see works that are happy you must be doing something right with them. You are the best....thanks for sharing....Jack 😃

Love these videos and love your products. It is amazing job these workers do. Such quality work. They are craftsmen (and women) and I hope they are well paid because they do excellent work.

Excellent video. You're so passionate about the business, its great.

Love the Rapido Trains , but I own O scale Lionel and MTH Engines , if I had an HO layout I would be buying from Rapido!

Frankly i dont own any rapido products, i look forward to get some here soon. I love the videos and lightheartedness, i heard about rapido from Mr. James wright and did some diggin on the products. alway enjoy the jokes. Thanks Rapido team for the hard work and the laughs along the rails. If i may ask a question Jason, How is the Model Train layout in the basement going?

I thank you jason for all you have done for the hobby. you know over the years you and I have worked on a few small items and such. i showed my youngest the video, and she said she wanted to go to China and see the factory. I told her I would love to go to China as well, and to see your Factory. I totally do not understand people who say that the model train industry should be here in Canada and the USA. But with the cost of items and the type of skilled labour required, it would make the models so dramatically high, that we could never afford it. Right now, they cost of a Car has jump up so high, due to the rising cost of work around north America, and it's just going to get higher. If you were to take those same labours that make your car and ask them to build a model, they would be lost, and can not understand how the system works. They would think it should be automated, which in turns makes things harder. Lots of hands on work goes into every toy, model train, and many other products, that we as North Americans think should be done by hands.

Interesting to see how paint and tampos are done.

Amazing work, amazing workers, and amazing workspace!

Superb. You are spot on in your serious moment. Thank you.

Awesome, I am in awe of your proficiency in Mandarin - I think. How long did it take to learn? Taking classes back home? Thanks again for showing the quality craftsmanship by your assembly workers, and thanks for making the videos informative, silly and entertaining.

U guys do so well man

A kitten! They have a kitten! Good job on speaking Mandarin, by the way.

I like what you do keep it up and maybe we will see more of the shop cat keeping the mice from playing with the silverware.

The people from hornby should see your factory quality control

Great video. It was a pleasure to watch. Thanks for sharing. -Chris

Jason, Thank you for showing North Americans the real story of Chinese manufacturing. I have traveled to China many times and reality vs. what we are lead to believe are vastly different. Your quality control is fantastic. How about some O Scale products?

Thanks for the tour of the factory

radical hot take, the people in these videos are the actually modelers, the people who buy them are toy train collectors who identify as modelers

That seams like a safe and great work place the employees seem very happy love thire jobs.

We love your place! Great people too. We hear so many trash talk Chinese factories and trains. Not us! A model is a model. A toy a toy. The idea that a model should be made in one place over another is ridiculous. I want the best model at the best price. Period. If American workers wanted to do this work in America it would be done in America. It’s that simple.

I love seeing these videos! I find the manufacturing process very interesting. Out of curiosity, how many man hours are involved with the manufacturing/painting of a locomotive (rough estimate, not including tooling creation and design)?

Skilled craftsmanship

Shop Kitten is saying to the Camera I inspect every locomotive and bus before it leaves the factory. I even fiddle with a couple parts and pieces at night time when they go home just to make sure they're paying attention to the finer details of every model! 🐾

I want a sān lún chē! Thanks for the tour and update, Jason. Looking forward to those N-H diners, and the EP-5 JET!

Wow, Look at the lights on those locomotives. Nice and bright and scale, just like they should be!!! Yes, Rapido gets it!!!!!!!!

Keep up the Great Work!!!!

We do great job, dont give up.

I can’t wait to see the first production run of the comet cars and the horizon cars

Jason keep up the good work Im looking forward to the Conrail B36-7s

Make that tool that you use to install handrails public, we all need them

Great video, ... glad to see you addressed the bring the jobs to america point. well done.

The MN commercial B36-7 looks awesome

Beautiful, nice to see so many detail parts - don't forget spares for the more delicate components that can break off?

Es hermoso lo q hacen en esa fábrica!!! Congratulations!!

Impressive. So many fiddly bits , it would drive me insane! 😈🇬🇧🤗

I hear the Turboliner District is beautiful this time of year!

HI THERE,AS I KNOW THE BEST TRAIN SET ARE MADE IN CHINA.I GOT TWO TRAINS SINCE 1989 AND THIS TWO BABYS STILL RUNNING SOME HAND RAILS ARE MISSING BUT THEY HAD A GREAT LOOCKING. THANCKS FOR SHARE YOUR VIDEOS AND I WHANT TO SAY HELLO FROM MEXICO.

Bring on those Santa Fe B36-7s.

Think of all the things we ahve done!

I love your products and have both HO and N in my collection. Howevet, I disagree they can't be made to the same standards in North America.

Bloody great work.

I hope you do U23bs someday Especially D&H after D&H RS11s

What..!! No Mercedes limo to take you to the airport... it’s nice to see that the Boss watches his pennies to put back into the most detailed models ever. 😂

Love all your models just wish you did O scale!

Such a nice video

Phantastic video, when will the Santa Phe locomotive be available... if u made the trains in the USA they cost would be what ten times what they are? Plus the resources are no longer here to do it

Good stuff Rapido im really exited about the SantaFe B36-7s..looking really nice guys ....approx when is shipping?

Nice video. The GUY model looks to be a big shape up to the model market of mostly diecast, and there are plenty of busses not yet modelled at all that you could tap into. I've recently started driving Mercedes citaro's, ok their not heritage or the most exciting but the models currently available are a poor representation!

Those BC Rail GE’s look sweet! Too bad I have the one controller that seems to like frying your DCC units. One day I’ll own some of your stuff!

I know it is probably out of the scope of things for you guys but the first company to create a plastic 2 truck shay in HO and Hon3 would make millions of dollars. Ever since Athearn "lost" the dies for the shay decades ago there hasn't been a good small shay on the market

I suspect that the fake address for the factory in Yangshuo is a hint at a soon to be announced pair of projects. Namely Amtrak Amfleet Cars and Amtrak ANF RTG or Amtrak Rohr RTL (I, II & III) Turboliners. Jason, PLEASE tell us that's true!

If it's not proprietary; on the next factory video, could you should how the wire handrails are bent to shape? I'm assuming there is a jig somehow, I'm curious if that is automated or done by hand.

Fascinating. Congratulations and thanks for the tour. Please can you send me a sample Bus? I love the idea of lighting! All the best, again Thanks for the tour.

I wish Rapido would go O scale!

I'm surprised the copper painting mask works as well as it does. Do you have problems with the overspray on the mask staying wet around the edges of the opening and leaving a ragged edge after you have sprayed lots of models? It seemed the paint didn't have time to dry on the mask before the next piece was put in to be sprayed.

Hi, Interesting to see the precision work your Chinese employees do. QC is so important. But most of all it's nice to see the relationship you build with them. To be 'human' in our to technical world and actually speaking their language is to applaud ! Yes, give their children a trainset. Organise a fund raising - sure we want to participate ! Learn youngsters to play with trains instead of these ... computer games. It will trigger their 'creativity' ! Thanks for sharing.

Jay, I wish you where showing the production of the EP5 unit. I like your shirt. Can you some how make a version of the Amtrak Acela with sound? And produce the other Budd company's Amtrak Mteroliner. Thanks for reading this.

OMG BC Rail with ROCK LIGHTS YES!!!!!!!!!

Kudo's for having a factory kitten! OK, serious questions here - what are the top 3 pros that resulted in the decision to manufacture in China vs anywhere in North America (Canada, the US, or Mexico)? What are the top three cons to manufacturing in China?

Wanna bet those haters posted their comments using a phone, tablet or computer that is made in China?

0:24 That looks like an ICE 3 derivative.

Beautiful BC rail...wish i could find those in O

Can you guys make an ho scale version of a P30CH

Do you build any other buses like newflyer old 80s bus ????

How about some bus moldes in HO scale?

Amfleet Street, Turboliner District?!?

Have you guys thought about making an Ho version of the Amtrak viewliner baggage car?

When do the b36-7s arrive ?

I’m trying to recall, didn’t you have two factories over there at some point? Do you still?

RUN! Jason's Driving XD