So what's up with MDC Roundhouse?

[SpaceMouse]

There's an ad announcing new products in the April MR. That had to be placed months ago. They are not in production now are they?

[Anonymous]

These cars may have been produced before the Borg (Horizon) assimilated them. Since they are being marketed as MDC cars, they could be already in the older boxes. Time will tell I imagine.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

MDC/Roundhouse was sold to Horizon, as the owner retired and no family member wanted to take on the buisness. Horizon merged it with Atheran, and they are running it as 2 lines. so you will see new MDC/roundhouse items and Atheran items in production, both being built at the same factory.

[orsonroy]

Athearn's new Roundhouse line is for the "old timer" and steam-era part of the MDC line. They ARE being made now, and some new cars have recently hit the shelves. Unfortunately, the "Roundhouse" line will be RTR only.

Stock up on the old Roundhouse kits when you can find them; I don't think Athearn even has plans to release undec versions of those cars! I've already been stocking up on the old wood cabooses and 50-foot single-sheathed cars for future projects.

[twhite]

The 'old-timer' freight cars hit my LHS as of last week--they're RTR versions of the Roundhouse kits, and pretty nice looking (as were the kits). So far, box, cattle and refrigerator cars. Hopefully they'll release the cabeese pretty soon. They're good additions to anyone modeling the 1880-1900 era. What I'd really like to see is a re-release of the old Roundhouse '3-in-1' kits that were a kit-basher's delight.
Tom

[Anonymous]

What about the loco kits?

I tried to submit a question via the "contact us" link at the roundhouse site, but I got a script error... D'oh!

I would like a couple of locos from them, eventually.

Rob

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bibfortuna

I tried to submit a question via the "contact us" link at the roundhouse site, but I got a script error... D'oh!

try [e-mail] since MDC was merged with them, all stock and toolings were moved to Athearn's site, and the MDC/roundhouse offices were closed.

[METRO]

there was a posting a couple weeks ago that the Roundhouse RS-3 was going to be re-released by Athearn as a much improved model set to compete directly with the Atlas Classic model.

~METRO

[orsonroy]

According to Athearn, they've got well over 400 pallets worth of inventory from Roundhouse to go through. Don't hold your breath on Athearn releasing Roundhouse steam any time soon, either as RTR or as kits (steam KITS from Athearn? Not likely). There are always plenty of Roundhouse steam kits on Ebay, and some internet hobby shops still list MDC steam kits as being in stock. Get 'em while you can.

[BRAKIE]

Ray,I suspect those MDC steam locomotives will come RTR some time in the future-if there is a market for them.
All to sadly from what i been reading on some forums and hearing at my local hobby shops nobody is really interested in kits any more..[:(] Of course I disagree with that seeing several kit manufacturers are still in business including Bowser.

[SpaceMouse]

To perfectly honest, I would rather have RTR locomotives--but I have 3 kits in progress because that was the only way I could get the engines I wanted.

Now the rolling stock kits, I love. I think I prefer them to RTR.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy
Stock up on the old Roundhouse kits when you can find them; I don't think Athearn even has plans to release undec versions of those cars!

According to Athearn's production schedule, they'll be releasing some of the old MDC undec kits, like their 50' dbl plug door Hi Cube box and 50' waffle box under the Athearn label later this year. Now whether this is new production, or old MDC inventory, I have no idea.

[Anonymous]

they've said numerous times that they will be rereleasing the old time line, but have not said this will either be RTR or kits yet.

[Anonymous]

My understanding has been the old timers will be all RTR only, under the Roundhouse name, while the other more modern stuff will still be offered as kits, but now as part of the Athearn BB line.