Ken, you wrote:One other thing I am not crazy about, it has a MRC decoder in it! I do have a Digitrax DH 163 standing by.
Heh. There's a rarity... A DCC install where the decoder is worth more than the engine.
Paul A. Cutler III
Engine runs on DC and not that loud. First time it has been ran in 11 years so it has the right to be a little loud. Will tear into the engine after another project is done. Might even try a MRC Sounder decoder, looks like there is room.
Ken
I hate Rust
Ken,
Mine has some chipped paint on the brass horn as well? Easy fix and I still like mine.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Guess what! The MRC Decoder is DOA!
While I was trying to get contact on the rails I was moving it backwards and forwards. Trucks do rock when changing directions.
But, for the prices I got for I not worried!
What will be stranger is if it works!
Howsrange... a MRC loco with a MRC decoder....
Samuel A. Kelly
I can draw pictures with my keyboard!
-------- ( It's a worm)
Well I made the jump and my MRC F7A is sitting here on the work bench. Has some weight to it coming in just a tad over 1 pound. 2 things I don's like so far and they are minor.
1 Headlight is mounted standing upright and looks like it going to light up the cab.
2 Some paint has came off the brass horns.
I asked Ken, the owner if I could get a discount because of the age. Heck, he did not think he had them left. He gave me a very good prices. If I like this one he is holding the other one till next week for me.
Before I run it I am going to open up the trucks to make sure the lube has not turned to butter and oil the motor and worm gear.
One other thing I am not crazy about, it has a MRC decoder in it! I do have a Digitrax DH 163 standing by.
After it is broken in I will post a small review.
Cuda Ken
riogrande5761 simon1966: I doubt this model would have been so maligned when they came out if they really have a Kato drive line. Besides, I dont think Kato has been made in China, so why the "made in China" labels? More likely a clone than a real one. I agree, KATO is a Japanese brand and I would be really surprised if KATO made stuff in China.
simon1966: I doubt this model would have been so maligned when they came out if they really have a Kato drive line. Besides, I dont think Kato has been made in China, so why the "made in China" labels? More likely a clone than a real one.
I agree, KATO is a Japanese brand and I would be really surprised if KATO made stuff in China.
Kato does manufacture in China, but they, just as other Japanese manufacturers, understand how to handle QC issues in China. They have dedicated Japanese QC staff on site, controlling the entire process.
You guys are probably right about it being a clone of the Kato, but as I said before it is a smooth running engine and I didn't notice any 'rocking' when changine directions. I have a couple of basic NCE decoders and I may put in one and see how it responds in DCC.
I still don't see what everybody is complaining about though, it seems like a nice loco, better than the Athearn BB ones that I have. Of course I haven't run them very long to see how they hold up.
simon1966 I doubt this model would have been so maligned when they came out if they really have a Kato drive line. Besides, I dont think Kato has been made in China, so why the "made in China" labels? More likely a clone than a real one.
I doubt this model would have been so maligned when they came out if they really have a Kato drive line. Besides, I dont think Kato has been made in China, so why the "made in China" labels? More likely a clone than a real one.
MR reviewed the DC version:
I agree, probably a clone. However, the review said "Mechanically the model is quite solid." the only criticism being "However when the locomotive starts or changes direction the sideframes rock back and forth on the center mounting pin..."
The rest of the cricism was of the shell, details and paint.
The revew lists the manufacturer as: "Model Rectifier Corp."
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
simon1966I doubt this model would have been so maligned when they came out if they really have a Kato drive line. Besides, I dont think Kato has been made in China, so why the "made in China" labels? More likely a clone than a real one.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Bob, thanks for taking the time to get the engine out and taking the photos. Gears remind me of Front Range and I thought they looked cheap. Might be for the fact we are uses to black gears.
Sam, if you are right and the gears and box are Kato, then this might be a pretty good running engines.
Thank You all again for your time in answering this post!
the top of the gearboxes and the drivetrain all piont to Kato
I see no reason why MRC which is a very large company would not have ordered them up from the Chinese factory. I have not had mine open for years but the mechanism did not look like any other I remember.
jsoderq not sure why no one has posted this but my MRC engine bought new clearly says made in China on the box as well as on the trucks
not sure why no one has posted this but my MRC engine bought new clearly says made in China on the box as well as on the trucks
That still does not answer "who" made them for MRC. It is very unlikely that MRC paid one of the China manufacturers to tool them up from scratch. They likely have some heritage that can me connected to some other brand/product line.
Having never handled one, I cannot offer any additional thoughts, but I suspect if I could closely examine one I might have some idea - have worked in the business for a number of years.
Sheldon
Oh well, I just went down to the train room and took one apart. Here are some photos of the NYC F7, Platinum Line loco. I don't recognize the gear box design so it may be Walthers or ??. After looking at it with the gears exposed, I don't know how long these plastic gears will last but it has the square bearings like the Athearn and P2K locos that I have. I still think I will put a decoder in this one and see how it goes. I did run it tonight and it is stlll very smooth.
I have 3 of the MRC F7's still in their boxes. I thought the details were quite well done and I did test run all of them. They all ran very smooth and I plan to DCC them later on. I don't know who makes/made the drive but I don't have a problem with them. I paid about $30 each over 2 years ago. I took the body shell off one of them when I first got them to see how much room was in there for a decoder and if I remember correctly it was a little tight but very dooable??. If I get a chance tomorrow I will take one apart again and see if there is a mfg mark or ?? and even photograph it. Just my thoughts.
cudaken Max, some what. If I knew who made them and I need a part for repair I would know where to look. I know the reviews where very unkind but they do not look cheap in person. There detail's are not far off from my PK 2000's even if they are not the right sizes or placement. Far as seeing the mold out line by the nose? I still have a Stewart Rio Grand shell and you can see the mold out line. For all you Stewart Lovers, speak up! My LHS has other Stewart engines NIB waiting for a owner in the same prices range. I will ship for them if you want one. Ken
For all you Stewart Lovers, speak up! My LHS has other Stewart engines NIB waiting for a owner in the same prices range. I will ship for them if you want one.
I guess details for details sake is fine, but again if the basic shell isn't very well done. It may not be a fair analogy but it's like taking a sows ear and making a silk purse from it. Many modelers would rather detail a basic good model (remember alot of the blue box models have made good starting points like the Athearn GP40-2 etc.).
Yes, Stewart F units do hve mold lines on the noses, but as a shell they represented an excellent F unit when they came out around 1988/89. Some folks have sanded the mold lines if they were painting their own, and depending on the model the mold lines are more noticable on some more than others. It seems other than adding details, one of the bigger differences between Stewarts and latter day F units are the etched metal grills.
Also keep in mind about Stewarts, there are 4 phases available for F3's, 2 phases for F7's, and 1 for F9's and FT's. With the MRC, there is only one F7 version and thats it. With Stewart you can match them up to many appropriate F units.
D, that is why I said I would ship for the owner.
Max, some what. If I knew who made them and I need a part for repair I would know where to look. I know the reviews where very unkind but they do not look cheap in person. There detail's are not far off from my PK 2000's even if they are not the right sizes or placement. Far as seeing the mold out line by the nose? I still have a Stewart Rio Grand shell and you can see the mold out line.
Is the store K10's Modelm Trains? http://www.k-10smodeltrains.com/index.php?pagekey=hobby
They do not sell on internet or mail order or ship their merchandise.
In the photos look like a huge amount of merchandise including a lot of old stock. The large train layout is impressive. Be sure to watch the video.
Store looks well worth a visit by Model Railroader living near or traveling in the area.
cudaken So I guess no one knows who made the Engines?
So I guess no one knows who made the Engines?
Ken:
Your original question was, I believe, what does anyone know about those engines. I don't think any of us here might know where those engines originated, unless someone from MRC answers. However, since those engines were sold around 2001, I think we can assume that they were imported and not made in the USA. Based on the original $79 price, I think we can also assume that MRC was selling them to get their customers interested in MRC's DCC products, since MRC hasn't recently been in the HO motive power business. To sell the model for $79, either the model had to be inexpensively made, or the decoder had to be inexpensively made, or both.
Based upon what has been written about those engines, the reported quality/appearance issues don't make it appear to be a product/clone of a higher quality manufacturer. I think it might be safe to assume that the model had to have been made as inexpensively as possible, and not made in Japan.
Several of the respondees to your question seem to believe that your money is best spent elsewhere, but you seem to have had no luck with their suggestions.
Is knowing the manufacturer of those engines the deciding information you need to make a purchase?
I'm just asking for no other reason than curiosity.
Thanks
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Maybe I should have asked this question first: Where are you going to get Stewart F7's for $69? On the used, secondary, Ebay market? That's not at the LHS and that usually involves shipping - an added cost. Sheldon
Maybe I should have asked this question first:
Where are you going to get Stewart F7's for $69? On the used, secondary, Ebay market? That's not at the LHS and that usually involves shipping - an added cost.
Sheldon, how many do you want? I think there are still around 6 sets for $59.99 at my LHS. With the luck I had, I won't pay over $19.99 for one. If you want one PM me, I bought a set for Packer. (member of the site)
riogrande5761I expect KATO made Stewarts can be had for $69. That should answer the question quite well.
Kato/Stewart Fs, especially undecorated units, are common at train shows around me. At a show last fall, I saw several vendors with them at prices ranging from $45 for undecorated units to around $70. I like using the guts out of them, and old Kato GP35s, to repower various Athearn and other models. At typical transaction prices, using the Stewart Fs is more cost-effective than buying aftermarket driveline parts.
Rob Spangler
ATLANTIC CENTRALMaybe I should have asked this question first: Where are you going to get Stewart F7's for $69? On the used, secondary, Ebay market? That's not at the LHS and that usually involves shipping - an added cost. Sheldon
Well considering all the discussion of how few people have access to LHS's anymore, and more are closing every, absolutly the secondary market. We are talking about two versions of F7's here that have been out of production for years aren't we? Where are you going to find either, other than getting lucky and a random hobby shop having them? Train shows, Ebay, swap meets. I expect KATO made Stewarts can be had for $69. That should answer the question quite well.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Putting the drives aside for a moment, it is hard to beat Intermountain and the Genesis/Highliner for fine detail and proto correctness of details on EMD F units.
Putting the drives aside for a moment, it is hard to beat Intermountain and the Genesis/Highliner for fine detail and proto correctness of details on EMD F units.
I agree, I own Genesis myself, but I was trying to keep it in an apples to apples conversation and suggesting a diesel you could pick up for $69 which I felt was a better alternative.
Yes the Kato drive is nice, but not that much better than the Intermountain and Genesis F unit drive based on my experiances.
Again, for $69 the drive and loco is going to be better than MRC.
What makes the Stewart loco better? The Stewart locos lacked hand rails/grab irons? What was that about? I don't care if the shell is a little more accuarate in some way, I'm not buying a loco already painted and lettered and then adding those details - they should be on there before the paint job.
As long as we are still talking about MRC, I'll make you a deal, I'll take the Stewart, you can have the MRC.
And what is with the dummy B unit thing? I have never owned a dummy unit, don't want any. It is still a major deal and extra expense to get powered B units from Bowser.
During the days Stewart was made by KATO, dummy's were actually hard to find. All of my KATO made Stewarts B units are powered - stick to those and avoid the dummy problem.
As for those MRC F units, they always looked a little "toy like" to me for some reason, not sure who made them but I doubt MRC tooled them completely from scratch.
Agree'd and my comparing Stewarts to the MRC IMO the Stewarts win for the $69. The other loco's you brought up are generally in a higher price category so I didn't bring them up. If you want to bring all HO F units into the conversation, then yes, Genesis are widely considered to have the best shell/body. But the price is considerably higher so I was keeping in the price range of the MRC $69 price.
And I still have a set of old Athearn Blue Box F uints, super detailed, GSB cab interiors, can motors, Walthers dressup kits - they actually hold up pretty well next to the newer models once all that is done. The side grills are really the only telling detail that gives them away. Sheldon
The side detail and the windshields both are the big give away. I always found the windshield opening in the Athearn "Globe" blue box F7A to be ugly and I sold my blue box F7's as soon as I had replaced them with the Stewarts. I now have in addition to the 17 Stewarts, 12 Genesis and 4 Walthers P2K F units. I was super detailing a bb Athearn of my own but the windshield was something I still couldn't tolerate, I ebayed them as "project" loco's about 8 years ago.