I was in my "formative years" during the Sputnik/Vanguard/Explorer/Werner Von Braun era. I still remember those Disney space exploration shows, etc. (and have the DVDs now, too.) So no surprise so I was intrigued - no fascinated is the word - by the MTH Rocket Transport five-car set (20-90813 - the Florida East Coast set - and 20-90811 - a NASA set. What you see below is 90813) and particularly by the fact that the rocket's sections could be removed and assembled into a rocket.
But I could never get all the details I wanted: of the cars, of the rocket, and in particular, what the rocket looks like when assembled and how you take it out of the cars and put it together, etc. I goggled, etc., found some videos, etc., but never found all the info I wanted. The one fact I did know is that many more people wanted to buy the set in one form or another, than wanted to sell, which told me it must be a cool set. So when newly-produced ones came available again, I bought one. Here is the review of this rocket set I always wanted to find.
The basics: The set arrived in a box considerably bigger than I expected. The five cars where each in their own box, each box roughly the size of boxes for 18" passenger cars. Everything was very well packed and protected.
Detail: is phenomenally good. Lots of crisply printed warning and signs, good under-car detai. Good trucks. The cars roll easily, the couplers all worked. Everything was perfect out of the box. These eight-axle cars aren't the easiest to put on the track, but you learn how to get it done.
All MTH and really cool: The three photos below show a Railking NW-2 and calf set pulling the five-car MTH Premier Rocket Transport set. I know this set came also with an ES44 or something - a loco more contemporary with this particular rocket (a shuttle solid fuel booster), but I think this NW-2 duo "looks smashing" with this set . . .
The cars each have eight axles, arranged as two sets of swivels with two, two-axle trucks each. Nicely detaiedl including under (we'll see that in a minute). NOTE THESE ARE BIG, BIG CARS!!!! 16.5 inches long, 3 1/4 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches high. That is a scale PFE reefer in the photo below . . .
Lots of nice detail, most of it plastic but still . . . the containers that cover the rocket sections clip into brackets on the cars with small round pegs projecting from their ends. Below you see one in position and one nearest the camera snapped up out of position. You also see a small space beneath the edge of the container now . . . It just lifts off to reveal the rocket section.
Here is the train without the containers on it. I actually like it more like this . . . the containers, by the way, hinge open clamshell like, wich is cool, but you don't need to open them like that to remove them. They have small detailed lift brackets and chains, etc. Nicely done.
Inside each is the rocket section, mounted to the traincar with a loop bracket (gray) around both ends.
In googling and researching this set, I found posts on other train forums that claimed the rocket sections were actually glued down and not removable ins spite of what MTH said. No one on this forum would be so stupid! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. I won't claim its simple (it took me 37 minutes) but the three pages of instructions are clear on how to remove the rocket sections . . .
You remove two screws that hold each of the brackets to the car, from underneath. There are alot of screws holding the car together so you have to be carefuly which to loosen, but it is straightforward.
The front car of the five-car set - that holding the nose cone, nose section, and thrust chamber - is both slightly different than the other four and much the most difficult to dis-assemble. The prackets always come of with the sections once the screws are loosened, and they are press fit into the rocket sections. Some paitenace with a knife is required to remove the press-fit brackets without damage, but its nothing that can't be done with care . . .
Below, the front car's sections removed with its brackets and 13 screws in total put in a small plastic box for storage.
The front car (right) is slightly different from the other four (one to the left here), which are identical. The front car has many more holes for screws and brackets.
Once all the brackets and such are removed, the rocket consists of eight pieces . . .
The only mistake I made in the whole disassemble is that when I started I did not get a big-enough container for the screws and brackets. It took one nearly a foot long to hold them all.
The rocket pieces just snap together - they have small tabs that slip into slots to assure correct alignment. It is a very big rocket, over 30 inches high!
Summary and Key Points:
- I am extremely pleased with this set.
- At $315 including shipping, it has to be the bargain of the century. The five cars are heavy, detailed, and smooth running, and relaly impressive. The brackets, containers, hinges, separately applied lift tabs, chains, etc., etc., etc., are all so numerous . . . How did MTH make this set for only $62 per car. Phenomenal price!!!!!
- I love the rocket. I have no idea where I will keep it, but it is not going back in the containers.
- I like this set so much, that just before I saw down to write this, I ordered the other set (90811). This one's five cars will be stripped of their remaining brackets and used for other rockets - to make a whole "rocket train." The other set will remain complete with the rocket intact and onboard, etc.
- This is one of the cooler train-car sets I have ever bought.
