I recently acquired a few “new generation” MDC-Roundhouse O.T. (Old-Time) 36’ reefer kits. No boxes, just bags of parts, so I accepted that something could be missing from the official bill of materials.
But what? This is my first experience with these new kits. The obvious missing parts were the wheel sets… truck frames yes, wheels no. Was this in anticipation that I’d want to add my own choice of wheels or just a case of stuff missing?
Since the underframes are now plastic, are the weights normally supplied?
And what are those plastic washers for? They appear to fit onto the truck screw towers to… hold down weights?
Gee, I’m really gonna miss all those hours filing the flash off of the stirrup steps… or maybe I’ll just get over it! Still… the model railroading world may be worse off without that “shake-the-box” kit that goes together better if you happen to have (or are encouraged to buy) a collection of files, drills and taps. Ya-know, those things could come in handy someday!
Some of the older kits had plastic floors also. To my knowlege all MDC kits contained plastic wheels. If you don’t have them…no great loss… replace with metal ones. The kit also contains 2 weights with a hole.The weight goes over the stud on each end & the washer is pushed over the stud to trap the weight. Put some cement on the washer & stud. If you dont have weights just use lead or whatever you have handy. I also liked the old MDC kits a lot of detail, easy assembly & reasonable. Try to pick them up at shows when price is right. Good Luck. Jerry
I believe these “new generation” are simply packages made up from a large existing parts bin that was purchased from Horizon (who bought up Roundhouse). It’s possible that he is even purchasing new parts from Horizon - but I doubt it. But to date, Horizon has not released any kits under the Roundhouse name. Some of the Roundhouse kits of more modern models have been re-released as Athearn BB.
In any case, I’m pretty sure the omission of parts was inadvertent, and will be furnished to you upon request. It was not uncommon back in the “good old days” of model rail kits in the '60s to have parts missing from new kits. Given the difficulties humans have counting chads and punch marks the first (or fifth) time around, getting a box full of kit materials exactly right every time probably isn’t going to happen.