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 Posted - April 29 2013 : 12:10:30 AM
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Is the MDC/Roundhouse Climax anything similar to a real steamer?
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - April 29 2013 : 05:18:42 AM
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quote:Is the MDC/Roundhouse Climax anything similar to a real steamer?
Originally posted by Redneck Justin - April 29 2013 : 12:10:30 AM
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Anything similar? Yes.
1. The drive system.
2. Steam boiler shape
3. Smokestack shape
4. Carries own fuel.
5. Four axles/eight wheels...
6. Runs on rails. Real ones also ran on wooden rails.
7. Pulls freight.
What it isn't like, perhaps?
Electric opposed to steam
1/87 opposed to 1/1 Size matters, i.e.: You can put the model in your pocket, you could live in a real climax while it keeps you warm.
Weight... Ounces opposed to TONS.
You may find the model at a swap meet... you cannot find a real one just the same.
You may could melt the motor in the MDC/Roundhouse model... You may blow up you, your house, your locomotive with a real one.
That was fun. 
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
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Posted - April 29 2013 : 11:59:03 AM
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I think that MDC/Roundhouse intended it's powered Climax loco to "imitate" or "suggest" some Climax locos that were built with wooden panels.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/Redwoods/climax.jpg
MDC also made two non-powered Climax loco kits, one of which is fairly prototypical:
/tyco/forum/uploaded/Redwoods/mdc-np-climax.jpg
Kit instructions PDF here:
http://kitbash.ourpage.com/3in1/1510a.pdf
More about their kits here:
http://kitbash.ourpage.com/index-linked.htm
-Thomas
EDIT: I said two non-powered kits - actually it's just the 1510 kit but they do show a couple variations.
Edited by - Redwoods on April 29 2013 12:02:30 PM
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Posted - April 29 2013 : 12:47:35 PM
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The boiler is too large and sits way too high. There was an article dealing with this in an MR at the time, but even that fudges the pilot beams by placing them way too far forward. It uses the same mechanism as the boxcab, making it quite the buzzing hornet. It uses Athearn diesel wheelsets, making them way oversized for a similar sized Climax. It has a fully enclosed cab, something that was rarely--if ever--found on a real one. The fuel bunkers are much too high. It's a saddletanker--wrong--and the smokebox extends beyond the pilot beam--a big no-no.
Other than that, it's perfect.
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Posted - April 29 2013 : 1:37:33 PM
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A while ago there was a gentleman named Ron Lafever who tuned and detailed MDC climaxes. While still not anything near prototypical, they were nicely detailed and more importantly, they were really good runners.
http://www.railroad-line.com/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20610
He also self-published a 60-page booklet on fine tuning the MDC Climax. It had a ton of good information.
/tyco/forum/uploaded/Redwoods/lafever.jpg
I don't know if Ron is still active in the hobby, but I still enjoy working through his detailed hints and tips.
- Thomas
Edited by - Redwoods on April 29 2013 1:37:55 PM
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Posted - May 01 2013 : 8:40:29 PM
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They were pretty good for replicating the Class A climax's. I plan to purshase the Circus one someday.
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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Posted - May 01 2013 : 9:49:53 PM
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Dang...looks almost like the one I freelanced out of scraps and an old N scale diesel...
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Posted - May 02 2013 : 01:21:24 AM
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I envy you shaygetz...your collection and most of all your layout!!! 
I buy, repair, and collect
http://scvr.weebly.com/
http://seyboldlocomotiveworks.weebly.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeputation?feature=watch
Hyde.
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 Posted - August 09 2023 : 4:01:19 PM
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Originally posted by shaygetz on May 01 2013
Cool idea.
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