The newer MDC cars all come with plastic wheels. Some of the old ones I have are equipped with metal wheels. I find that these short out when passing through my Atlas turnouts. Personally I haven't had difficulties with MDC wheelsets but those MDC knuckle couplers have caused me problems. So they are all slated for MT wheelsets and couplers as time and finances permit.
I have never had problems with the actual whell set, although I dont really like there trucks in general. I almost always change them out with M/Ts...
Chris, I have had that problem with a couple of the new RTR MDC cars. Found out by accident. I usually convert all my cars to MicroTrains trucks and couplers right away. Recently I ran out of them but still wanted to run the new cars I had picked up. I installed the knuckle couplers and put them on the track. The cars didn't even make it through the first turn with out derailing. After a little checking of the two cars, I found a total of 3 wheel sets that where not in guage. The cars now have M/T trucks and are running fine. MDC does make some good cars. In fact, I have a lot of MDC rolling stock. Kind of wish they would have stuck with the kit versions though. Don't think the extra cost is really worth what you get. Anyone else agree?
I can't agree with the MDC Roundhouse Ready to Run issue.... Working in and observing other Hobby Shops, MDC Kits were dead merchandise.....even though in that time frame the first thing everybody did with non-MicroTrains equipment is pull the trucks off and replace them with MTs. The only other thing you have to do to put a MDC Kit together is install the underframe and put on the brakewheel... go figure.... The new assembled cars have nice metal wheels and the Rapido couplers installed. Now MDC Roundhouse cars sell very well in the Hobby Shops.....which saved us from not having MDC as a manufacturer... they have to sell product to be encouraged to make new stuff!!!! Regarding the MDC coupler, it seems any passive knuckle coupler is going to be a problem.....InterMountain, MDC, Kato or whatever. The knuckle has to close with positive spring tension AND have spring centering otherwise the knuckle has to have a wide enough opening to allow coupling, therefore is big enough to allow unintentional uncoupling. I too like the MDC offerings... anybody notice that the second run of 2-8-0s have a pilot mounted Rapido??? Maybe it will be available as a retrofit for the first run! Can't wait to see what's next after the woodside 30' caboose!!
I got a few MDC Roundhouse 50' Hi-cube box cars (REAL cheap). They look great, but the knuckle couplers won't stay hooked together - even had the same problem when the Rapido couplers were on. Something seems a to be amiss with the springs, because they don't seem to hold the couplers even.
I have several of the cars- nice cars, wheelsets, nahhh. I replaced them with M-T trucks & couplers, and have been satisfied. FWIW, I'm in the midst of a coupler replacement program, and have been getting rid of Rapido and non-M-T couplers for MT stuff.
I own about 180 MDC cars. All bought as kits. 150 of them are coal cars. I never used the included wheels. Instead I replaced them using Micro-Trains. Never had any off-center wheels or derailments since. If you buy MDC kits you should properly weight them and mount MT trucks and then you're on the bright side of life.
