Athearn On The Availability of MDC Kits/Parts

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Wrote to Athearn a couple of days ago asking for information on when we might start seeing MDC kits and parts again. Apparently Athearn is busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Here’s their reply:

Thank-you for your inquiry. Please note that we have only just recently received MDC’s parts stock and have yet to inventory, organize and integrate this large number of parts into our system. Due to the immense size of this project (There are over 140 pallets of parts!) and the fact that we are currently in the midst of one of the busiest times in the year we will not be able to start this process until some time after the first of the year. Please contact us again in the latter part of January at parts@athearn.com for an update on the possible availability of the parts that you need.

Sincerely,

Athearn Trains

I will give Athearn credit for a prompt reply. I sent my email Saturday and the reply was in my email box first thing this morning.

Andre

2

140 pallets of MDC kits and parts? Wow. Kinda gives me an idea of what kind of operation MDC has going.

3

Pallets? 40" by 48" wooden grates that are able to carry up to either 2500 pounds or 7 feet of product. (I was a bit conservative on height)

140 of them? Assuming very small parts whew!!..

I used to deliever McCormick Spices to Sysco in Horseheads NY from Baltimore Md and all those itty bitty boxes amounted to 6000+ individual numbers that must be hand checked against the lading as you unload from 24 pallets. But 140? whoo! that is a job for some hapless crew.

4

HighIron,

Good point - a heck of a lot of work for “some hapless crew.” In order to help them with this effort, I volunteer to take a few of the pallets off their hands. Just send 'em to me and no one will have to inventory them. Perhaps Santa can pick them up on his way down next week.