Review: #169
Name: Rail Racer (JRX)
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Robots in Disguise
Year of Release: 2001
Size Class: Combiner
Variations: the Japanese version had a lot more sections made from translucent plastic
TEAM MEMBERS:
Let's get straight onto it, shall we? Rail Racer is the combination of Team Bullet Train, comprised of Railspike, Rapid Run and Midnight Express. All three have a good train mode.
Their robot modes aren't too shabby either albeit they're all a bit short in stature.
TRANSFORMATION:
I have to admit, their stock footage of their transformation in the RiD cartoon was amazing and very nice, just wished that it was longer! Anyway, you'll be familiar with how the three combine after watching the show as it is pretty accurate. Considering how Rapid Run adds to Rail Racer (which is, admittedly, not much), it has the most complex transformation with a lot of twisting and extending of parts. Midnight Express is very easy since there are not alterations to the robot's legs while Railspike's transformation is elegant and impressive. It's a fun transformation and they all connect solidly.
COMBINER MODE:
Rail Racer is an utterly FANTASTIC combiner and one of the best, even 13 years into this day. I loved the placement of train kibble throughout the whole body from the windows on his shoulders tot he protruding train cockpit chest.
Only major negative is the fact that Rail Racer has a decently sized backpack, comprised from the majority of Rapid Run.
Railspike forms the arms, upper torso and head, Midnight Express the lower body and torso while Rapid Run is the middle torso... least visible (as it's only a portion of the train cockpit). Serving only as a spacer between the other two members.
As a backpack, Rapid Run's legs form jet packs of sort (it reminds me of Animated Prowl's jump jets or boosters). They actually look quite nice and by fiddling around with Rapid Run's arms, you can get those pieces to be more aligned to the ground like in the cartoon.
The head sculpt is nice, although it's not as great looking head on. The transparent green plastic is too dark and blurs his red paints eyes too much for it to look cool.
It is situated on a balljoint (with limited range in terms of looking up) but the sculpting on the sides are amazing.
Comprised of three approximately Deluxe-height robots, he's only around twice the size of a normal Deluxe. He is still big and impressive mind you.
As mentioned, there are some really nice features such as the waist skirt. I found that his forearms are too big, which is a shame.
Thanks to the large feet and heel spurs, Rail Racer stands up just fine, this is especially crucial considering the amount of backpack that he has.
The hands are somewhat articulated. They can open and the thumb is moveable, this is mainly for transformation storage purposes and wielding his weapons.
The articulation is decent on this guy. He must be one of the more articulated combiners we've hard, plus, he gets to effectively use those joints as he doesn't fall over too easily.
The hips and knees are on ratchet joints, which helps carry the weight. Unfortunately, what you'll find more likely to happen as time goes on is that the catch that keeps his legs/knees extended will loosen over time and he'll start to collapse on one side. The hip ratchets are also spaced too far apart, so he doesn't look too good if you spread his hips at more than one ratchet.
Speaking of his weapons, you can combine Railspike's and Midnight Express's guns into a large, double barrelled one. It looks pretty stupid and forced though, they don't gel very well.
The light gimmick from Railspike's weapons still work as intended.
You also have Rapid Run's shield.
You can see the amount of transparent plastic Rail Racer has, his legs are completely cast from it. What this means is that if you have a light source behind him, his legs appear somewhat transparent since the paint is not thick enough to completely hide that fact.
Each weapon can be held tightly in either hand. Tough luck if you don't want to use them though as there is no storage space anywhere on the body.
To elaborate further on Rail Racer's super articulated self, he has multiple swivels and joints at the elbows and shoulders. You can also untab those shoulder windows such that his arms have more reach going forward.
Rail Racer is extremely cartoon accurate. Both missile launchers still work although it is slightly more awkward getting to the triggers.
You can create some pretty dynamic and amazing poses with minimal effort (although I lack the imagination). The trouble with using the type of swivels for his shoulders is that it can sag when holding either weapons.
Understandably, Rail Racer lacks a waist joint. There aren't any more gimmicks to speak off, the main gimmick being the combining.
There are some good generic sculpting and detailing such as the inside of his forearms and legs.
A brilliant robot mode that looks great, fun to play and is super poseable to boot.
OVERALL:
A fantastic team. Each team member is a decent individual in their own right but they really come together to shine when forming Rail Racer. He is seriously much more than the sum of his parts. Rail Racer is packing with classic transforming goodness combined with poseability. Highly recommended.
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