MTH

[traindaddy1]

A few days ago, I visited a flea market type mall.  There was a concession that featured MTH stock.  To date, I have not really paid much attention to the MTH RailKing Semi-scale O and O-27 trains.  The manager/salesman could not stop telling me how much better MTH was than Lionel. 

Based on your experience (without naming names!!!!), how would you compare the MTH Semi-scale RailKing product line to the Lionel Traditional O27 product line.  As always, many thanks.

[Seayakbill]

I prefer MTH Railking rolling stock over Lionel's 027 rolling stock. Reasons are:

More variety in types of rolling stock

More variety in railroads

In most cases the rolling stock is larger then Lionels

In most cases the rolling stock is less expensive than Lionels.

 

[sir james I]

Engines, I have a brand preference. Rolling stock, I buy what I like, who made it doesn't matter to me.

[laz 57]

I'm with SIR JAMES, if I like it I buy it. I have both, I like Lionels beer reefers and like MTHs bobber cabooses. Other stock is split up too. laz57

[Seayakbill]

 I like Lionels beer reefers

You had a long dry spell on those guys.

 I see Lionel has canned Richard Kughn's no beer car policy and started reissuing them in the past 2 catalogs.

[jonadel]

When I got back into O Gauge trains about 14-15 years ago out local store owner was very encouraging with the MTH line.  I started slowly (like a turtle) with just one set for a couple of years and then I slowly added a few things on special occasions.  I was still working and kids in college -- very little extra time or $$$.  I only bought Railking, it's what I could afford and it worked.

Just before I retired I bought into the DCS system, had to wait for it but that was OK, I had no extra time.  Once I retired we built our first (and only) permanent layout using primarily Railking, I do have a couple of Premiere pieces now, exceptional detail IMO.

I like all companies rolling stock and accessories, first rate the whole way.  What I REALLY like in rolling stock is Atlas, I think it's just exceptional.  Even though I've mixed everything together over these last several years I've never had any visitors ask about any brands, but then I've never had rivet counters here either

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the offerings today, they are afterall -- only toys!

[SPMan]

The majority of my engines are MTH.  However I have some Lionel and Williams as well.  As for cars I buy from all the manufacturers if they have what I like.

Ray

[Train-O]

Hi To All,

I have Lionel. Weaver and Williams engines.

My rolling stock are of various brands, but M.T.H. has great  'P.RR.' "Cabin Cars" of which I own six.

All Take Care,

Ralph 

[Deputy]

Just a clarification...but RailKing is not all "semi-scale". There are four different variations of RailKing that I am aware of. There is Traditional size, which is pretty much the same as Traditional Lionel. Then there is "semi-scale". These are larger in some aspects than Traditional, but not quite at the level of full 1/48 scale size. There is RailKing Imperial, which is somehwere between Traditional and scale. Some Imperial locos would fit into "semi-scale" catagory. The Pennsy S2 steam turbine is one of them. It's bigger than Traditional but not as big as scale. Then there is Railking Scale. RailKing Scale are full 1/48 scale size items. I have some of all four. I have RailKing Scale NYC F3 locos and FM Trainmasters that are the same size as scale items. They just aren't as detailed. I have one semi-scale RailKing NYC boxcar that is actually marked on the label "semi-scale". I will probably sell it. It doesn't fit well in either Traditional or 1/48 scale consists. I also have two Pensy S2 turbines in the Imperial detail level.

One other note for those that are new to MTH...items starting with the number "20" as in 20-34590 are 1/48 SCALE items. Items starting with "30" are Traditional-sized or semi-scale items.

[Train-O]

Deputy,

I only know of the 20-Premeir and the 30-Rail King sizes, but I didn't know of the other sizes that M.T.H. offers, which you mention.

That is something to know about.

Thank you,

Ralph 

[traindaddy1]

Thanks guys!