Just saw this in the News and Reviews tab.
Considering how many of our model railroad (and scale model) related manufacturers have disappeared, It’s good to read that MRC will continue.
I’ll always be grateful for their excellent DC power packs. I bought a Tech II 2500 in the early 80’s. It performed very well for nearly 2 decades, until I transitioned to DCC.
I have a series of seven MRC Railpower 1360 power packs strung around my layout to power trackside signals, control panels, etc. Not a one has failed over a 15 year period.
Rich
Ya, my 1971 “Golden Throttlepack” lasted into the 2000s, and I still use old Tech II and Tech IV units for lights and for breaking in new engines before converting them to DCC. Although I know this makes me a minority here, I really like MRC sound decoders. They’re easy to program and their first generation ‘blat’ airhorns are some of the best around - especially for the price.
My first store bought “transformer” was an MRC Model 500 that I bought in 1963 to run my Bowser Big Boy. It still works like new and I’ve stuck with MRC ever since. I think my favorite is the 2500 for its durability; it’s seen a rough life and just keeps going like the Energizer Bunny.
I sure hope that the new owner stays with it. I really like my Prodigy and the majority of my decoders are also MRC and everything works very good.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I use MRC Tech 2 1400 power packs for accessories and Tortoise switch machines.
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I still have my Control Master XI and love it.
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Glad to hear they will continue.
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-Kevin
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I’m still a devoted DC user, and I love my MRC Locomotion 1500 power packs. I’ve dropped or knocked them to the floor numerous times and they still keep working normal.
I’m happy to hear MRC will continue.
-Alan
I still have my 1960 vintage Ampack and not only does it still work but the cord is still flexible and the copper finish is still attractive (some painted speed indicators around the throttle knob are worn, about the only visible sign of age). So … a good old name in the hobby and one known for quality goods. To their credit they went into DCC and sound in their own way.
But apart from its excursion into N scale in the 1970s (as an importer, with an excellent NKP Berkshire and some passenger cars, highly praised at the time), MRC has had a history of stubbing its toes when it expanded into HO rolling stock. I recall an F unit not so many years ago that ran well and looked OK although it had detail flaws and issues at the very time when the competition was really starting to get F unit details correct; worse yet the paint schemes were almost absurdly “off” including a genuinely pathetic Soo Line F unit which suggested that nobody in the “home office” had ever seen a Soo Line F in person or in photos. One soon started to see those Fs being sold off at swap meets at bargain prices and even then, few seemed to be jumping at them.
Their acquisition of Model Power and Mantua seemed off-hand and distracted and their distribution of Model Power/Mantua goods to LHS seemed spotty, perhaps because the pricing seemed mismatched to the target market and dated nature of the goods.
Having said that, the JTT scenery and other items from MRC had good distribution in LHSs.
Here’s hoping for the best for MRC in its new ownership.
Dave Nelson
I have a couple of them from 60s vintage as well. I use one on my DC test track to size the amperage of decoders and general tests of old DC locos
Wonder if MRC will be moving out Edison NJ? I applied for a job with them many years ago.
I also had, in the 80’s, a MRC-Lima ALCO C420 decorated for Lehigh Valley which was quite nice and ran smoothly.
I have 2 MRC power packs I bought back in the 1970’s (or was it even earlier?).
One I use on the layout to provide AC power that is used for turnouts.
The other I keep upstairs to check engines on DC before I put decoders into them.
I just sent in my MRC Prodigy Advance squared DCC to have it fixed, hope everything goes OK.
My very first MRC power pack was the “Golden Throttlepack” I bought in '62. I thought pluse power was the best thing since Peanut Butter & Jelly since it smooth the operation of those old open frame motors.
My layout is run with two MRC Railpower 1370’s, and a MRC cab control handheld, so I am glad they are still in buisness.
[<:o)] I have the larger Master Control MRC with walk around, 5 MRC’s under the layout to run various electrical componenets, lighting, signals, sidings; all have been around for over thiry years, even an MRC sound unit with both diesal and steam, braking sounds, squeals, coupler sounds, you get the picture and they all still work and have been for some 30-35 years.
I am not even sure who I would turn too if these play out. They are dependable, and they work.
Robert Sylvester
Newberry-Columbia, SC
I still have my model 501 golden throttle pack that I got for my 15th birthday(I turn 46 in just over a week), still functional and now serves as my work bench power supply. I always loved the copper colored power packs from that era. The Tech II’s work nice but never cared for the cheaper looking plastic case. I have one of thier cab 1 controlers that mounts to the benchwork face that i use for my traction layouts. The actual power supply being hidden under the layout. I wish all the best for the new owners of MRC and would love to see the Golden Throttle pack brought back as a heritage model in the line up, just with newer guts for better control of modern can motors. Mike the Aspie.
I hope they fare well and keep the line going. I use a Tech 4 Railpower 250 with hand held memory throttle to control my locomotives. Works great. I have not been able to find the MRC remote ports but have found the NCE DCC Cab Buc Panel with RJ12 connectors works as a substitute. Universal throttle holders also work for this handheld throttle.
I didn’t even know they were up for sale! I wonder if the Model Power and Mantua lines will also be kept going?
Wasn’t Model Power sold to another company in the past few years?
Here is the going out of business
http://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/new-products/2014/04/model-power-going-out-of-business
As far as MRC power packs go, I’ve never owned one but they always seemed to be solid and great a great alternative to train set power packs for novices as well. I have a Star Tec Hogger DC power pack I’ve used for years for doing some running and testing during layout construction.