MDC Roundhouse / Mainline America / Piko

As mentioned on other pages there were a couple of manufacturers of affordable gauge 1 standard gauge american rolling stock that preceded MTH's products by a good few years. For streamline passenger cars and a couple of diesel locomotives Great Trains (American Standard Car Co.) stood out and for freight stock there was MDC Roundhouse (Model Die Casting) who, alongside Athearn, were at the time the largest manufacturers of HO rolling stock. MDC produced a small range which they labelled as "G scale". Now they were correct in that G scale items are expected to run on 45mm gauge (ie gauge 1) track but I do not think that they did themselves any marketing favours since the term "G scale" or "G gauge" heavily implies a scale other than 1:32 , normally you might expect a narrow gauge scale of anything from 1:18 to 1:24 or the distorted later attempt at 1:29 standard gauge. Having obtained some of the original Roundhouse items I think that they should have been labelled as "gauge 1", implying 1:32 standard gauge.

As I see it any "G scaler" wanting extra freight for their LGB, Delton or other narrow gauge locomotives of that era who bought these freight cars on the strength of the G scale moniker would be disappointed with the smaller 1:32 dimensions whilst anyone desperate for good value rolling stock to run behind Aster, Samhongsa and Accucraft standard gauge models would most likely not try them out fearing that they would look far too large. What a wasted opportunity!

MDC pulled the product range some time around 2003. Mainline America has a stock of american made components providing a useful source of spares as well as completed models. The moulds eventually went to Piko and I imagine that production now takes place in China. Several of the Piko models follow on directly from the MDC range whilst other liveries have been introduced. Piko have also introduced 0-6-0 tender engines and 2-6-0 Moguls in various liveries and with wood/coal/oil tenders. I can only refer to these as "caricature" models , much as Maerklin and LGB have produced though possibly to suit a 1:32 loading gauge. There is also a single B&O 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive which, whilst it most likely relies on the same chassis, does not look nearly so bad. Piko have also introduced a few old time Overton type coaches and combines, I feel certain that the intention is to give the caricature locomotives the option of a passenger train and possibly to provide an alternative to replace the discontinued Bachmann 1:20 products but, IF the dimensions suit 1:32, then all credit to Piko as they will be a welcome addition to american outline gauge 1.

As far as I am aware all variants of these models are supplied with the massive LGB type hook and loop coupler, these mount on an arm on the freight bogies. The actual hook and loop assembly, including the position of the mounting screw, happens to be identical to those used on the Great Trains passenger cars suggesting that they may have used the same bought in assembly. A major benefit in appearance and coupling distance can be obtained by substituting suitable knuckle couplers. If you are prepared to trim the end of the coupler arm then by happy coincidence the default MTH coupler will mount up using the same screw hole. If you do not want to cut the arm then please remember that every MTH gauge 1 item comes with both knuckle and hook+loop couplers so that their locomotives can either haul these wagons directly or one of their freight cars can become a "converter wagon". Wheels are plastic with coarse flanges, easily trimmed with basic equipment though I understand that Piko does produce 30mm diameter metal wheelsets (#36161) as extra cost accessories.

The detailing can be described (apologies for repetition yet again, but it is apt) as basic but adequate. Do not expect a great deal of undeframe detailing or working suspension, the doors on the boxcars open but the side doors and the roof hatches on the reefers are fixed. Do not expect operating hopper doors or indeed any interior hopper detailing. The main plus point, which has to override any other quibble, is that the freight cars are the right overall size for 1:32 and are still available. If the size of the Overton cars is acceptable then that will be a real plus from Piko since it will indicate that they understand gauge 1 as opposed to just running the moulds they took over.

MDC produced a 40' steel boxcar, 40' reefer, foot twin bay hoppers in both ribbed and offset styles, a covered version of the ribbed hopper, a single bay ore hopper and a short wooden caboose. They also produced a generic 4-wheeled industrial diesel locomotive and a four seat track maintenance "speeder" plus trailer.

Ore car: 211 mm hopper length, 105mm height (from rails), 96 mm width. Fresh out of the nos box, footrails yet to be attached.

2 bay offset hopper: 318 mm hopper length, 112 mm height, 101 mm width.

2 bay covered hopper: 318 mm hopper length, height 124 mm, width 101 mm. The 2 bay ribbed hopper omitted the roof.

40' AAR box car: 360 mm body length, 139 mm height, 97 mm width

40' steel ice reefer: 360 mm body length, 139 mm height, 97 mm width

MDC FGEx with an MTH PFE reefer, a slight difference in height but, since they are moulded shut, there is no extra clearance required for the roof hatches.

Overall widths, height and lengths look just fine.

Mainline America is producing the boxcar, reefer and ore car in small batches. They also stock several types of spare parts.

Piko has used the rolling stock moulds from MDC (they have to date ignored the "Big Hauler" and Speedster units), replicating some liveries and adding their own. Further to those they have produced the Overton type passenger cars and a small range of six-coupled caricature steam locos to provide motive power.

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