MRC 2015 USRA 2-8-2 MIKADO w/Vandy Tender

[SandyEggoJake]

Have yet to get my hands on one, but I'm hearing they are finally on the way.  Reason for delay seems to have been original design used a European gauge wiring appropriate for lower current systems than are typical of NA layout, and they had some burnout on the test track.  Apparently, their supplier rebuilt the entire release of some 5,000 units in 30 days. 

It will be interesting to see how MRC packed both sound and DCC in the Vandy, as well to see if they updated to a more robust & modern pickup on both the engine & tender.    The former release had a "right and left" wheel wipers on all loco drivers that are notorious for getting mangled (everyone I've bought - even NOS -has had these wipers misaligned or worse).  The former release tenders employed an axle wiper system, that created additional points of friction and dirt catcher... but is certainly easier to clean that the pickups in the loco.   

[nkalanaga]

I don't know why the current requirements for the loco would be different in different regions.  Layout wiring, yes, but the motor, lights, sound, etc in a given model should be the same, and draw the same current, everywhere.  Sounds more like they simply used wire that was too small, and would probably have had problems in Europe as well.  Maybe the European models they had built before drew less current, and they misjudged the larger motor.

[peteski]

All N scale models are designed for 12V max voltage operation. Max current is not specified.  The only glaring difference between U.S. and all the other models (European, Japanese, etc.) was that U.S. models had no RFI suppression components in the motor circuit (usually a cap or two and 2 chokes). In Japan it was usually just a cap across the motor leads.

But since all the various brand models are now manufactured by only a handful companies in China, most new models are now getting the RFI suppression components installed.

Current consumption being a specification which was to be adhered to was never brought up (in any scale AFAIK)

[nkalanaga]

Maximum current really couldn't be regulated, because then one would have to specify motor designs, and that would almost eliminate innovation.

Since most models today have some form of PC board, even if just for lights, RFI suppression is so easy that there's no reason to leave it off.

[mmagliaro]

Where did MRC publish this explanation about wire gauge and the delivery delay?

The engine would be run on nominal 12v systems, or analogous
DCC systems that put the same demands on the motor and wiring
no matter where it is used and would draw the same current in Europe as it would in the
US.

[Doug G.]

Yeah, that explanation makes no sense. The locomotive is a closed entity.

Doug

[peteski]

Sounds like the explanation was either created out to thin air by some marketing type clueless about model design, or it was poorly translated from some (probably valid) explanation offered by a Chinese factory making the models.

I deal with that type of language barrier almost every night at work and I can first-hand tell you that trying to figure out what my Chinese counterparts are trying to tell me can be quite difficult.  I learned to ask simple and very specific leading questions which only require a simple answer. I get a lot more detailed info that way, rather than having them try to explain things to me themselves.  This applies to computer tech support and me trying to get a better problem description from my Chinese counterparts.  Sometimes things even turn comical but lots of times things can get a bit frustrating for both me and for them.

[rogergperkins]

I reserved the B&O version with dcc and sound.  I did it in support of smaller steam locomotives and not because I NEED another n-scale steam locomotive.
I already have a few of the Model Power steam 4-6-2s and one 2-8-2 in which I had dcc decoders installed.

[babbo_enzo]

Sounds like the explanation was either created out to thin air by some marketing type clueless about model design, or it was poorly translated from some explanation offered by a Chinese factory making the models.

Or ... maybe the project was done in UK? It is well known that in the UK right rail is at 12V and left is at 0V, while in the rest of the world is the left rail that is 12V ... On DCC is this "problem" less evident?

Aside this, there is a link to this model news that one can see, read or understand better the post subject?
is one of these "former Model Power" ?
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=14378
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=14379

[peteski]

Or ... maybe the project was done in UK? It is well known that in the UK right rail is at 12V and left is at 0V, while in the rest of the world is the left rail that is 12V ... On DCC is this "problem" less evident?

But that has nothing to do with the current consumption of the loco (which seems to be the reason given).  The wires would be the same for either version.  Plus I don't recall that UK N scale models are wired backwards. I have some Dapol UK steam and IIRC they ran in the same direction as all my other U.S. DC models.

[sumfred]

Has anybody seen one at a dealer?
Walthers shows some DCC ready units in stock and MRC (Model Power Page) shows a couple in stock (i.e. not "New item soon to be released")
Fred

[mmagliaro]

Or ... maybe the project was done in UK? It is well known that in the UK right rail is at 12V and left is at 0V, while in the rest of the world is the left rail that is 12V ... On DCC is this "problem" less evident?

Aside this, there is a link to this model news that one can see, read or understand better the post subject?
is one of these "former Model Power" ?
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=14378
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=14379

It's well known?   I have never heard of this in my life.  Can you show me anywhere that explains this?
I have fixed a few minitrix UK models, like the A4 for people, and they certainly were not wired differently
and ran in the correct direction, which they would not have if they were design to run on rails with reversed
polarity from the US.

[reinhardtjh]

Has anybody seen one at a dealer?
Walthers shows some DCC ready units in stock and MRC (Model Power Page) shows a couple in stock (i.e. not "New item soon to be released")
Fred

BLWNScale has had some of them since 6/18.  Just some of the non-sound version. Sound hasn't been released yet as well as a few of the DCC-ready.
http://www.blwnscale.com/mp-282-mikado.htm

[Norway2112]

Has anyone seen one of these in person or bought one that could take a photo?  I want to know if the "seperately applied details" includes the wire handrail down the boiler, or if it is still cast onto it?  This is the deal breaker for me, as removing that cast on railing from the metal shell is no fun task!

[mmagliaro]

Has anyone seen one of these in person or bought one that could take a photo?  I want to know if the "seperately applied details" includes the wire handrail down the boiler, or if it is still cast onto it?  This is the deal breaker for me, as removing that cast on railing from the metal shell is no fun task!

I remember the pain of making *any* modification to a Model Power boiler. They cast those things out of kryptonite.
It would be an improvement if they cast the boilers out of something else that is easier to work with, but of course,
that's not a high-priority item for a manufacturer.  They don't "owe" us something that is kitbashable.  They just
owe us an engine that looks good and runs well.

I guess we all have different views of what a "deal breaker" would be on these.
For me:

- no axle-point all-wheel pickup,
or
- driver wipers
or
- no locked driver/axle attachment

= no sale. 

It would be great to have another source of the 4-6-2 and 2-8-2 chassis that are up to modern
standards.  $130 (for the plainest version) is still too much money for an engine that has design
elements like that.