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Post by rails4dmv on Jul 19, 2014 14:27:30 GMT -8
Rumor has it MRC is picking up Model Power's product line. Can anyone confirm?
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Post by mlehman on Jul 19, 2014 14:41:28 GMT -8
Yeah, that came out recently, maybe a couple of weeks ago.
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Post by rails4dmv on Jul 19, 2014 14:52:00 GMT -8
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Post by roadkill on Jul 19, 2014 15:05:05 GMT -8
If they pay more than $5.00 for the MP line then they paid too much.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 16:52:01 GMT -8
If they pay more than $5.00 for the MP line then they paid too much. Respectfully, I disagree. They had a few engines that had great pulling power, and their product lineup was great for toy trains - just not the railroad modelers who permeate the hobby today. |
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Post by mlehman on Jul 19, 2014 17:01:30 GMT -8
Yep, MP has some good basic products that should be preserved and I'm sure sell well. They offered rolls of hook-up wire in sizes smaller than Radio Shack or other common sizes. I think it 28 gauge and it comes 35' on a roll for $5. I use it for structure lighting (all LEDs, so that wire's heavy enough) and for all DCC applications that don't need the super flexy wire.
Their unpainted figure sets are a bargain, too.
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Post by Gary P on Jul 24, 2014 6:06:38 GMT -8
I think this is good. MP products have their place in the hobby. MRC and MP should be a good fit.
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Post by alcoc430 on Jul 24, 2014 6:55:21 GMT -8
If you model the steam era, they have the Mantua steam engine line. In addition they have vehicles and structures. They definitely have a place in this hobby. It would be interesting of finding out what they purchased exactly, the actual tooling or just the tooling rights etc. I remember finding a ruling that was published online of a lawsuit between Con-cor, IHC and Rivarossi, I don't remember who won or much of the particulars just that the chain of ownership etc was pretty murky or convoluted (I don't if that is the right word?) on who owned the tooling and who controlled the tooling etc. An interesting glimpse into the world Model Railroading for sure EDIT I found it www.alanhcasperesq.com/forms/conway.pdf |
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Post by riogrande on Jul 24, 2014 11:30:50 GMT -8
If they pay more than $5.00 for the MP line then they paid too much. *sigh* Model Power isn't aiming at people like you, or me for that matter. That doesn't mean there isn't value in the purchase and that they won't sell products to people who find value in it. That said, who knows, I may find some of their products useful at some point. Cheers, Jim |
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Post by stevewagner on Jul 24, 2014 13:04:00 GMT -8
Model Power makes at least some items of interest to more or less "serious" model railroaders. I have three Accurail open auto racks loaded with Volkswagen Beetles and vans they've offered in recent years at more or less reasonable prices. The downside of using these to load rack cars is that they're diecast metal and make the loaded cars very heavy and perhaps top-heavy as well. But at least Model Power did sell some models of reasonably typical and affordable vehicles, not just top of the line sports and luxury cars!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 14:43:02 GMT -8
If they pay more than $5.00 for the MP line then they paid too much. Model Power's rolling stock line wasn't that great. They had some real junk in the line like the die cast body F3. For what it cost new, you could buy an Athearn blue box super power F7 for less. Guess which one the hobby shops stocked? MP took over the remains of Mantua and more or less continued to pump out the same Mantua model only under the Model Power name. Mantua failed so hitching your wagon and not making any real change is going to end better? Model Power had two lines of HO scale vehicles. One was bad, the other was excellent. As far as a place in the hobby its questionable. The prices of Model Powers stuff isn't that cheap and they are directly competing with Bachmann, Life-Like and Walthers Trainline in the entry level. It is MRC's money and reputation if they want to buy Model Power. I could see the line being divided up. Some of the models may still have some life, but the entire line? But since it will still be made in China and even the top end manufacturers are having a tough time getting product out the door and on time, I can't see how this is going to be a winner for MRC. |
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Post by riogrande on Jul 25, 2014 7:17:21 GMT -8
As far as a place in the hobby its questionable. The prices of Model Powers stuff isn't that cheap and they are directly competing with Bachmann, Life-Like and Walthers Trainline in the entry level. It is MRC's money and reputation if they want to buy Model Power. I could see the line being divided up. Some of the models may still have some life, but the entire line? But since it will still be made in China and even the top end manufacturers are having a tough time getting product out the door and on time, I can't see how this is going to be a winner for MRC. If MRC purchased the Model Power product line, they will need to manage it wisely to make it relevant in todays market among it's competitors for products to be successful. Keep in mind Athearn obtained MDC and have also done some picking and choosing; I've noticed they haven't offered all of the MDC line - hopefully MRC will cherry pick the better stuff and possibly do some upgrading as well. Much of the Model Power line is very dated. As far as timing to market, it probably will take some time to get the flow back up but probably for those who are in the mid to high end of the hobby, they won't be biting at the bit waiting. |
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Post by Brakie on Jul 25, 2014 8:05:30 GMT -8
Keep in mind Athearn obtained MDC and have also done some picking and choosing; I've noticed they haven't offered all of the MDC line -
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Indeed..They supped up(say) the FMC boxcar with metal grabs,stirrups,crossovers,metal wheels and finer painting..
However..
Like the Athearn ACF (aka Railbox) boxcar there still a foot to wide.
Still as they are they're IMHO 3 steps above the old kits.
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Post by Spikre on Jul 25, 2014 8:55:05 GMT -8
 the Model Power Metal Train Line included an F9,various freight cars,and at least a Wide Vision Caboose. the Model Power F2/3 was the former Marx plastic engine with a different drive. Reviving the Marx HO Tinplate line wasn't one of their better ideas.thankfully they didn't revive the Marx Tubular Tinplate HO track. Model Power also had some newish freight cars,cant recall the exact name,something like Stage-II,or Phase-II,they were plastic and looked 1960s-ish. some of the Plastic trucks and trailers were the ex-Cox line,some were Yugo,others weren't known,maybe Generic Chinese items ? Spikre 
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Lt. Dan
New Member
Building the Burlington Sub
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Post by Lt. Dan on Jul 25, 2014 14:39:43 GMT -8
Their later U-29 DM&IR "Minnesota" ore cars were pretty good - and heavy, as the tubs were metal (they were marketed with the rest of the Metal Train line).
If you model Lake Superior ore operations, or use them in sand, gravel or MOW service they are good cars for the money. Sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough, even with MP.
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Post by marknycfan on Jul 26, 2014 1:42:59 GMT -8
Recall all the MP/Pola structure kits, they are still relevant to the hobby
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Post by Brakie on Jul 26, 2014 3:31:33 GMT -8
Recall all the MP/Pola structure kits, they are still relevant to the hobby Yuppers and some make mighty fine kit bash fodder.Their Chester Station(kit 454) is a beauty and the Herald Tribune/Globe News building can be used as a small local welding/machine shop that thrives on odd jobs for some small industries and the general public.. |
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