MTH Wireless Drawbar

[laz 57]

Thought YUZ GIZ would be interested in this....

March 7, 2007 - M.T.H. Electric Trains has begun shipping the first of its Premier Line O Gauge series of Union Pacific Heritage Diesel Sets celebrating the history of the Union Pacific Railroad. Comprised of the six primary heritage railroads consumed by Union Pacific over the past 100 years as well as a U.P. themed set, the series was announced late last summer and scheduled to begin shipping in late January 2007.

The first of the seven roadname series, Union Pacific, will begin arriving at your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer in the next few days. Each set includes a Premier Line SD70ACe diesel locomotive, a 50' Hi-Cube Box Car and an Extended Vision caboose each in matching livery.

In addition to the long list of standard features found on M.T.H.'s Premier Line diesel locomotives and rolling stock, each of the Heritage Series locomotives will benefit from the following:

EMD General Overall Drawings (G.O.D.) were used to create the locomotive

Actual sound recordings of the real-life SD70ACe were captured for the Proto-Sound 2.0 sound set

Over 50 photos of each paint scheme are being used to ensure that the real-life paint scheme is recreated

Actual U.P. paint chips are being used to ensure that the paint matches the real-life paint scheme

Proto-Scale 3-2 power trucks are being used to allow users to operate on 3-rail or 2-rail track on AC or DC power

Separately applied snowplows will be included for the leading truck pilot

Realistic fuel tanks are included on the model for a "close-to-the-track" appearance

Remotely controlled Proto-Couplers are included on the model that can be activated in conventional or command control modes

 

 

Item No. 20-2774-1 Union Pacific
MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: IN-STOCK

Following the Union Pacific set consumers can expect the other six schemes to appear over the next four months:

 

 

Item No. 20-2771-1 Missouri Pacific
MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: April 2007

 

 

Item No. 20-2775-1 Western Pacific
MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: April 2007

 

 

Item No. 20-2772-1 Katy
MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: May 2007

 

 

Item No. 20-2770-1 Denver Rio Grande Western
MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: May 2007

 

Item No. 20-2769-1 Chicago NorthWestern
MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: June 2007

 

Item No. 20-2773-1 Southern Pacific
MSRP: $499.95 Delivery: July 2007

Scale wheel, 2-rail fans can also order the locomotives by themselves without box cars and caboose. Delivery of the scale wheeled versions will follow later this Spring.

Scale Wheeled, 2-Rail Models

Item No. 20-2774-2 Union Pacific
MSRP: $449.95

Item No. 20-2771-2 Missouri Pacific
MSRP: $449.95

Item No. 20-2775-2 Western Pacific
MSRP: $449.95

Item No. 20-2772-2 Katy
MSRP: $449.95

Item No. 20-2770-2 Denver Rio Grande Western
MSRP: $449.95

Item No. 20-2769-2 Chicago NorthWestern
MSRP: $449.95

Item No. 20-2773-2 Southern Pacific
MSRP: $449.95

Don't miss out on these exciting sets as they're sure to sell out quickly. Orders should be placed with your local or favorite M.T.H. Authorized Retailer. You can find your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer by CLICKING HERE.

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Premier Line Wireless Drawbar FAQ's

March 7, 2007 - Since being introduced on the Premier Line O Gauge Western Maryland 4-6-6-4 Challenger last month, we've noticed a number of postings on various chat boards regarding the drawbar's material, design and durability. While new innovations will always elicit comments from users, we thought it might be helpful to address the subjects with a short list of frequently asked questions and answers:

What material is the drawbar made from?

 

The drawbar is constructed from the same fiberglass material used to produce electronic circuit boards.

The fiberglass board is encased by a durable plastic frame.

 

Why is the drawbar constructed from fiberglass instead of metal?

 

The drawbar is taking the place of the 10-pin wire harness used to connect the Proto-Sound board in the tender to the locomotive. The locomotive still somehow needs to make that connection.

In fact, the drawbar is actually a wire harness, but instead of wires, we've employed a durable printed circuit board to act as a "bridge" between locomotive and tender.

 

Will the stress of hauling a tender and a 25+ load of trailing cars cause the drawbar to break?

 

Printed circuit boards are multi-layered composites of fiberglass that are quite strong.

The drawbar exterior frame and the continued use of a mounting post help share the strain of the load.

The drawbar's printed circuit board can be twisted up to 90 degrees without suffering damage.

Extensive testing was done on the design prior to market introduction. Never once did the drawbar break during these tests.

 

Is the wireless drawbar easier to attach than the 10-pin wire harness?

 

Like the 10-pin harness, the new wireless drawbar requires the user to insert the end of the drawbar into a receptacle.

The drawbar receptacle is located on the tender chassis but the mounting post helps align the receptacles together making the connection a little easier than the old 10-pin harness.

 

Which locomotives will come equipped with the new wireless drawbar?

 

The new wireless drawbar is available on the recently delivered Premier Line Norfolk & Western Challenger steam locomotive.

The new wireless drawbar will also appear on all 2007 Volume 1 Catalog Premier Line steam engines except the 0-4-0 switchers.

The new wireless drawbar will appear on all Premier Line steam locomotives in the 2007 Volume 2 catalog scheduled for publication in April 2007.

More about the Premier Line Western Maryland Challenger

 

Available in two cab numbers in Western Maryland livery, the M-2 has also been released in Baltimore & Ohio livery as well as Southern livery. Like most M.T.H. Premier Line steam engines, each version is outfitted with Proto-Sound 2.0, featuring synchronized puffing smoke and locomotive speed control for Unprecedented low-speed operation.

NORFOLK & WESTERN

 

Item No. 20-3241-1 Norfolk & Western 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)

Item No. 20-3242-1 Norfolk & Western 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALTIMORE & OHIO

 

Item No. 20-3243-1 Baltimore & Ohio 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)

SOUTHERN

 

Item No. 20-3244-1 Southern 4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)

Don't miss out on these limited edition locomotives by waiting too long. Each is in-stock now and can be ordered from any local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

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M.T.H. Show Schedule For Week of March 11, 2007

 

March 7, 2007 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be attending the World's Greatest Hobby Show in Fort Worth, Texas next weekend, March 17 & 18 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Show attendees in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area can listen and ask M.T.H. executives questions about the M.T.H. product line, company direction and future plans as well as see product demonstrations. You can find all the details about the show by CLICKING HERE.

You can find a list of all the M.T.H. shows we will be attending over the next few months by CLICKING HERE.

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laz57

[chuck]

Extensive testing was done on the design prior to market introduction. Never once did the drawbar break during these tests.

Were any tests run on the material after it starts to age harden?  Were there any changes to the material physical property following repeated heat up/cool down cycles?  How easy is it to repalce the drawar when it does fail (which it will)? 

[DMUinCT]

I'm an MTH fan, but, what will happen in a derailment, if the electrical contacts on the bottom of the "Draw Bar" should hit the center third rail with 18 volts AC on it. Should that area be protected? Can the "Conducting type Draw Bar" bend 90% in ALL directions?

I wonder why the Wire Teather faces up, when, if it faced down it would look like a water line.

[njalb1]

Printed circuit boards are multi-layered composites of fiberglass that are quite strong.

Looking at the picture how can this composite fiberglass bend like this ?

  I would like to see one in person!

[DMUinCT]

Six weeks to "YORK", lots of questions for Andy, Rick, and Mike.  This includes late deliveries.

[Ralph]

I just got one at the hooby shop I work at. It is a great piece, hooks up real easy and looks great with out the wire. Engine has an awsome sound and new cab chatter, they actually have a conversation, it's a beautiful piece. So naturally I had to take one for myself. What's one more engine and like the old saying "You can never have enough trains."

 

                   Ralph, Trains and Lanes Hobbies

[laz 57]

GIZ,

   I got this update from my hobby guy, have to wait till YORK to ask MIKE?

laz57

[mitchelr]

LAZ

That Western Maryland Challenger really makes my heart go thumpity thump.  I know it takes larger than 0-31 to run so sadly it will not grace my layout.

Mitch 

[laz 57]

MITCH,

   I have the one that Lionel made and it is sweet.  Lionmaster that runs on 0-31.

laz57

laz57

[Bob Keller]

As I mentioned on another thread on this topic, we have one of the WM Challengers in the workshop and the drawbar is of supreme interest. While anything is possible in a crash, I'm not sure I can envision the drawbar hitting a center rail, but most derailments are unique. I'll try to stage some creative derailments to see what happens ...

[csxt30]

As I mentioned on another thread on this topic, we have one of the WM Challengers in the workshop and the drawbar is of supreme interest. While anything is possible in a crash, I'm not sure I can envision the drawbar hitting a center rail, but most derailments are unique. I'll try to stage some creative derailments to see what happens ...

That engine should be sent to CSXT30s Extensive Advanced Technological Testing Services Unincorporated, right here in Conneaut, Ohio !!  Oh, & send a new CTT delivery truck also for testing !!

Thanks, John     

[Buckeye Riveter]

As I mentioned on another thread on this topic, we have one of the WM Challengers in the workshop and the drawbar is of supreme interest. While anything is possible in a crash, I'm not sure I can envision the drawbar hitting a center rail, but most derailments are unique. I'll try to stage some creative derailments to see what happens ...

Bob, does this mean you are going to take a propane blow torch and heat the draw-bar until it melts and drags on the center rail, then run the engine off of the end of the track onto the concrete floor a dozen times, and then evaluate the performance of the draw-bar while it is submerged in dry ice and the engine is running backwards on out-of-gauge track through a tunnel in a room with a temperature of 150 degrees pulling 500 overloaded hopper cars with bent wheels?

Anything less, and I will be unable to accept your findings due to your lack of testing experience of toy trains.

In all seriousness, I believe if the part is even slightly prone to breakage, it would be great to know the availability and cost of a replacement part.  I also think it is a neat idea and I foresee that this connection will over time look more and more like the water line, coal auger and draw bar connection as the practise is refined.

In fact, an add on industry may be developing here.  Just think if every car had an electronic connection concelled as an air hose.  This would mean that each car could have electronic couplers.  A special command control  with computer on board car could be in the consist that sends special signals to other operating cars in the consist.