Opinions on MDC/Roundhouse engines

[cacole]

MDC's original Shay kit was really bad. The gearing was so poorly engineered that the locomotive would not run without a regearing kit and significant modification, and the open frame motor they supplied did not run well. The MDC ready-to-run Shay is much better (made in China), but emits a high-pitched whine. I have an MDC steam engine that I assembled from an all-metal kit way back in 1965 that still runs excellently. It is now so old that I don't remember what MDC called it, but it is an 0-6-0 with a slope-back tender -- I think they called it the "Little Six." Back in those days, MDC kits were bare, unpainted metal castings.

[Anonymous]

Glen:

See the thread: "Anyone Built a Bowser Locomotive" for comments on Bowser and MDC by those with experience building them. General tone of the commentary was that MDC quality control was substandard with the running gear requiring close attention. Some comments indicated that eventually remotoring and regearing kits are required to keep them working passably. This is offset to some extent by MDC being one of the few suppliers offering smaller size steam locomotives.

All that being said, I will likely be a buyer of their 4-4-2 Atlantic and possibly 2-6-2 Prairie as I need both types.

Also see www.steamlocomotive.com/ for an extended commentary on the various HO scale manufacturers of steam locomotives.

Good Luck

Randy

[Anonymous]

Hi Glen, I have several MDC loco's including a climax ,it runs great I have moved the motor forward and mounted an athern flywheel on the motor shaft it also made it quieter . I also have an 060 w/slope back tender and an oldtime 280 and a shay ,they take a bit of work to get them to run great but mine run like more expensive loco's go for it.Keith

[Anonymous]

Does anyone run the steamers? I have two on the climaxes (noisy little things)and the 0-6-0T in the box unassembled. I don't run ddc. Are the rod engines reliable? Do they derail or are they fairly solidI hear alot about other manufacterers but nothing about these. Thanks
Glen