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.
the top of the gearboxes and the drivetrain all piont to Kato
Samuel A. Kelly
I can draw pictures with my keyboard!
-------- ( It's a worm)
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!
Ken
I hate Rust
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.
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
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.
I agree, KATO is a Japanese brand and I would be really surprised if KATO made stuff in China.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
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.
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.
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.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
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.
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.
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
Howsrange... a MRC loco with a MRC decoder....
What will be stranger is if it works!
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!
Ken,
Mine has some chipped paint on the brass horn as well? Easy fix and I still like mine.
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, 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