I need an opinion

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Good morning all. I have a chance to pick up a steamer from my LHS a 040 with sound for a good deal. It is by Roundhouse. I havent heard too much about them here on thr forum. Are they alright or shoul I stay away? The price is 175.00. Havent looked yet that may not be a good deal. He had 229.95 marked down. Thanks Dave

2

Considering the quality, or lack thereof, of the sound decoder used by Athearn, my opinion is that the locomotive is overpriced.

3

IF:

  1. you like the locomotive

  2. You want to spend that much money on that locomotive

  3. It does what you want it to do

Then it is a good deal.

IF:

  1. You don’t like it

  2. It is not what you raelly want

  3. You would really rather have something else

It is a bad deal at any price

I DO NOT think that is a good investment for future sale.

4

Avoid it. It uses an MRC decoder. Those decoders are JUNK![xx(][xx(]

5

It seems very high priced to me. On teh order of $75-100 would be more what I would conside a fair price. You also need to be aware that nearly ALL 0-4-0’s are very poor performers due to light weight and loss of contact with the track causing stalling frequently.

6

Best to buy a non sound equipped locomotive and add sound…Of course IF you can hear one in person you can judge for yourself.

I am not impress with MRC sound decoders from the few I have heard on DC layouts…I won’t call them junk because they work…Junk doesn’t work.[:)]

7

Dave,

I am assuming that you meant the Athearn MDC 4-4-0 American with DCC/Sound? The MSRP is $225-230 depending on road name. The actual ‘street price’ is around $175 on the Internet, so your LHS is ‘in the ballpark’ on price.

This engine should have a MRC sound decoder; Have the LHS test run it for you. If you are satified with the performance/sound - Then buy it. The only other comparable 4-4-0 steamer is the Spectrum engine, and it does not have sound, just DCC installed. It is a more detailed model, and the ‘street price’ is about $150-175 on the Internet.

Jim Bernier

8

[#ditto]

9

Thanks everyone, I didnt realize Roundhouse was under Athearn name. You are absolutely right I have an athearn F3 with MRC decoder and it certainly doesnt sound as good as my P2K with sound. I will definitely stay away. Thanks once again for your help. Dave

10

I will generate and post a video of my Roundhouse 4-4-0 tonight. It will be an hour or two before I get it uploaded.

Keep in mind that the sound settings are selectable with different choices for whistle.

It is not a switcher. It will take 5 Overland passenger cars and a pair of milk or LCL cars on the main without too much difficulty.

175 is a good street price. The MRC decoders have failed and might fail. The MRC people should stick with power packs and stay out of the decoder business. It is dual mode and the remote controller works when you hold it 4 inches away from the track near the engine. Get DCC if you are going that route and throw the remote away.

One of my local stores got several MRC engines wisely staying away from decoders. They are nice engines but have limitations.

Another limitation is that the power pick ups are really poor with the one set of driving wheels used up by big fat traction tires that provide outstanding pulling power but rob electrical power.

Will I get another MRC steam engine? Probably not. I have a thread on this engine somewhere in the past. Overall I like this little engine but it is mixed. Especially when I consider the useless remote that will join others in the trash bin if I am such a sap to spend another 200 dollars on a marginal engine.

The only way i will see myself getting this engine is to buy a NON-Decoder equippted with no sound and install one myself… maybe a ESU with back emf and light steam sounds or similar.

Bottom Line use the 175 for a proto 2K engine with QSI sound or similar. You will be MUCH happier with the quality.

11

Here is my very short video:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v651/fallsvalleyrr/?action=view&current=440Forward.flv

The first part is the range of sounds, two toots of the whistle and we’re off. For a trip across the workbench.

She refused at first to run, bright boyed the track and she got it to move.

The Camera was about 5 feet away and the sounds may be not that great but they are at the loudest possible volume for me except a few internal sounds that are turned down because they are too hissy.

Control was a DCC system Super Chief with a DT400. Speed setting to make it move was about 30. As I said the engine does not know how to start or stop very well like a switcher or other DCC engines would. I actually had to nudge it once or twice.

I make this sound like the worst engine… it sorta is in my roster. But I find it acceptable when you put 5 passenger cars on it. Just dont expect too much at stations.

12

Thanks Safety Valve, for the video. A picture is worth a thousand words, or in this case a video. I think I will take your advice and look for another steamer. My LHS was really pushing the little engine. Thanks again for all your info. Dave

13

I didnt think that the idle sounds were that bad but the whistle and the chuffs were horrible. I would stear away from this as well. Get it without sound and put your own decoder in it would be a better thing to do.

14

Would only add that it depends on what loco and what sound decoder is installed. Athearn’s with the MRC–as per above discussion, usually: don’t. But other manufacturers are fine: I’m happy with my my BLI steamer (QSI sound) and it seems that most others with QSI sound (P2K, etc.)are pretty happy with it. But yes, if you’re getting an Athearn, get one that’s DCC ready, and add your QSI, Loksound, etc.

Jim

15

I’ve seen that 4-4-0 and just yesterday saw their 2-6-0. I’m hardly a rivet counter but it is an understatement to call the detailing on these locos sparse. It reminds me of a windup toy from the 1930s. I have no first hand experience with the MRC sound decoder/speaker but have yet to read much positive about it. I’ve been on the lookout for a quality sound equipped small loco, specifically a 4-6-0 but have yet to see something I liked. I’m going to be patient. I think it is just a matter of time before we get good sound options in the small steamers like we do in the big ones.

16

Dave,

We picked up a 4-4-0 in January at our not so LHS. The review was in the issue of MRR that very day. It also was marked down. The main thing that we do not like is that the sound is on all the time. If you are operating another loco, it is still over there making noise.

For the $145 that we paid, we are satisfied. You get what you pay for. We have more that that invested is some without sound.

Good luck with your decision.

Sue