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MTH Triplex Reviewed on tony's Trains
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<p>CZ, I have been testing my Triplex at the local club I belong to so I can give you a little un-scientific review on it. There are a couple of pretty steep grades on the layout but the minimum radius is a little under 60 in. and I regularly run 100 car trains with 6 Atlas diesels on the front and no helpers with no problems.</p><p> The Triplex, by itself and <em>without</em> traction tires, pulled 9 cars on the grades. These cars were a mixed bag of coal hoppers each weighing 4.5 oz, all with metal wheels. <em>With</em> the traction tire installed, it pulled 45 cars. I suspect that the tender produces the drag of an additional 2 or possibly 3 cars but that is my guess.</p><p>On straight and level track, it pulled 45 cars <em>without</em> the traction tires. <em>With</em> traction tires it pulled 95 cars (all I had!!!).</p><p> I run straight DC so I cannot say much about the sound. As far as I can tell no whistle or bell etc. on straight DC, just chuffing.</p><p>The tender sits about 18 scale inches too far from the engine. I assume this was done to allow the engine to negotiate tight curves. The design of the drawbar makes this a tricky fix, but one which I feel will improve the appearance of the engine. I am also considering powering the tender (at the expence of the electronics and sound).</p><p>Overall, I am happy with the engine. The only real complaint I have is that all of the wheels but two were out of gauge. The axle on the tender trailing truck was out nearly a 16th of an inch and would derail anytine the engine ran through a turnout. An easy fix, but on a 500 dollar engine, I really feel it is inexcusable. Especially considering how difficult it is to pull all of the drivers out and guage them. Also, the molded plastic detail parts are slightly translucent but a little weathering can fix that.</p><p>One last thing I will say is this engine runs smooth. If I turn the sound off, the only noise I hear is metal wheels rolling along the rails. The mechanisim is silent.</p>
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