Hi,
I was looking at some MDC RS-3 and was wondering what you guys could tell me about them. I think I remeber hearing that some of them had athearn drives, and some had drive issues, but this was all a long time ago. So let me know if you have had any experiences with them. Also what sort of detail do they have?
thanks,
~matt
The MDC body is the most accurate. Atlas cab is not in the correct position and Stewart had problems and are out of production. Also Stewart was a kit - you had to build the body. Original MDCs had drive parts from Athearn, then they went to their own drive. Now the MDC/Athearn are completely reworked and better than the old ones. Get a new one or save your money. The original MDC the body went right through the cab interior.
How can you tell if it’s a “new” one,or if it’s older stock? Is there someplace to get a list of the newer stock numbers?
The new ones have a see thru cab, the old ones the body sides were seen thru the cab windows, I think the new ones have grab irons also.
The original ones had MDC’s drive. Then they switched to a P2K drive. I’ve got one of each and Jeepers, the older one is obnoxios,the newer one very quiet
Yes, there are actually three versions of the MDC/Athearn. First was the Athearn drive, thent he P2K drive, and the new one has the nice grabs, see-through cab, and the newer Athearn drive. Mine is the P2K drive, very smooth. And yes, it is superior in detailing to the Atlas one I have. I’ve noticed that a lot of the older Atlas locos are somewhat crude in detailing compared to more modern releases - the GP-7 is another example. The newer Atlases are superb.
–Randy