mdc rs-3

[Anonymous]

does anybody have any feedback on mdc rs-3 kits as regards the drive line and the operational quality?

jon

[nfmisso]

Hi Jon;

There are two different power trains under MDC RS3 models. The early ones were Athearn with a custom truck that provided 21:1 gearing (vs 12:1 in Athearn's trucks. There were issues with these, and many replaced the MDC trucks with Athearn, giving up the correct wheelbase.

The "new" drive is a Life Like P2K from the FA2/FB2 - right down to the grooved flywheels, though they may not be grooved anymore. These, like the other early P2K are subject to cracked axle gears. Athearn drops right in, or for better performance go with NWSL, JayBee or others. It is not quite Kato, but it is very good.

[Anonymous]

I had one of the early models with an Athearn stuff. It generally did not run very well. I agree with Nigel's recoomendatons for NWSL, etc. replacements.

[Anonymous]

this is more than likely one of the older ones as it is a closeout from them directly selling for $35.. would you consider that a good deal?

jon

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joncharlie

this is more than likely one of the older ones as it is a closeout from them directly selling for $35.. would you consider that a good deal?

jon

Hi Jon;

The older ones were sold as "kits" the newer ones were not called kits.

If it is a kit, I'd pass, you can the same thing on ebay for under $20. For the one with P2K chassis, it is a good deal, there are typically going for $50 range on ebay.

[Anonymous]

nigel i have not seen any on ebay. if you see one let me know.

jon

[sparkingbolt]

I bought 2 of those RS3s and they are still waiting to have their major mechanical flaws corrected.

In addition to the already mentioned problems with the trucks, after I replaced them with Athearn units, I found that the motors are mounted too high in the frames causing a too steep of angle on the u joint connections, which in turn causes the engines to vibrate, not radically, but at least noticably at low speed. --I'm anal about smooth op's, especially in a flywheel deisel
The only way to correct this is to mill out the frame where the motor sits, lowering it. (I determined this to be the prob when I compared the motor position with that of an Athearn loco.)

The RS3s are quite light, and since they have low hoods, there isn't much room to add a lot. but still some could be added.

On the plus side , I think the bodies have nice detail. and the running boards have great diamond plate detail. They do have molded on grab irons, though. The "hood" runs thru the cab. You are on your own with painting it. There are aftermarket products too, that could make these outstanding lookers. BUT

If you want an RS3 Atlas has one out that won't cost you any more by the time you get done correcting, modifying and painting MDC's. If I had to do it over that is definately what I would have done. I could have had 2 RTR sweet RS3 for about what I have into these 2 slugs taking up space. (and time) In fact, most of the parts from the MDC will fit in an athearn F7 dummy to power it. I may just do that and save the bother.

I hate to burn on a mfgr who has a long reputation for putting out great stuff, (In fact my favorite loco is a MDC steamer) but you do want the truth, right? Dan

[Anonymous]

I had one of the early models. The great detailing wasn't enough to offset the "threshing machine" type noise that it normally made[sigh].
So I replaced it with an Atlas RS3 (actually 4 of them!) chopped the hood and walkways and put it on an Athearn SW7 chassis to kitbash Western Maryland yard slug 138-T. [:D]

[Anonymous]

What was the issue with the MDC truck?
I rebuilt one and it runs fine. I did modify the worm bearings. Was that the problem?

[sparkingbolt]

On mine:
#1. the plates in the truck halves that the axle bearings ride in were too narrow and thin allowing the bearings to slip out beyond the frame. Sounded like putting a car in gear without the clutch.
#2. On one of the idler gears, the shaft was only molded in one side of the truck half, allowing the gear to flounder around.
There were other lesser problems too, mostly with loose tollerances between moving parts.. The kicker is that the trucks have such outstanding detail. Dan

[Anonymous]

Sparkingbolt,
Yea, I would have a problem with those issues. I didn't notice those thinks on mine , I'm not sure how (or if) they could be corrected without looking at them.