Keep in mind MTH made the DMIR Yellowstone in O gauge a number of years ago so doing one in HO shouldn't really be a big surprise!!
DAVID FORTNEY For all the crying about MTH I have found them to be well detailed, the best running and smoothest engines I have ever had. They respond well on DC,DCC without any problems And the best sound. I have been in this hobby for 40+ years and have lots of mfgs. Engines including brass and nothing IMO beats MTH. Your opinion may vary.
For all the crying about MTH I have found them to be well detailed, the best running and smoothest engines I have ever had. They respond well on DC,DCC without any problems And the best sound.
I have been in this hobby for 40+ years and have lots of mfgs. Engines including brass and nothing IMO beats MTH. Your opinion may vary.
Just to be clear, since I am often accused of MTH bashing, everything I have seen first hand, and most of what I have heard directly from MTH users (the few I know) is that production quality is top notch - but even they have some warranty issues, just do a search of this forum.....
As for DC operation, the word is that they have made that better - BUT - they still require higher than standard voltages for a full speed range - not an acceptable choice for me.
I have not had the opportunity to operate one on my layout, with my ARISTO CRAFT Train Engineer Radio Throttles, but if they are anything like any of the DCC dual mode decoders they will not like the pulse widith modulation motor control used. Many decoder equiped locos will not even move on my layout, most are jerky and impossible to control. And my track voltage cannot/does not exceed 13.5 volts.
For these reasons I remove all decoders from any locos that come so equiped.
Detail - some of the MTH models I have seen are indeed very well detailed. The passenger cars are very nice and appear well made - but none are in my area of interest.
However, some of the MTH steam locos I have seen up close seem to have very course and oversized details - thick running boards, etc. - Like an old LIONEL O gauge loco that has been shrunk down to HO - the Berkshire being the worst offender I have seen in person.
Sound - in HO, even the best sound like a 1967 9 transistor radio...........
I realize that I am not your "average" consumer of model trains, but MTH tried very hard in thier early days in HO to "gloss over" the DC and DCC operational short comming of their early products.
And finally, I would surely hope they are high quailty, with most of their steam locos being priced over $600.
I have a fleet of over 50 HO steam locos, all run well and look good, admittedly without sound or DCC which does not interest me. My average purchase price, most purchased in the last 10-15 years, $150 each, most expensive, about $325.
Others on here will tell you I'm not a price complainer - and I think $200, $300 or even $400 is a very fair price for a plasitic and die cast steam loco - but I'm not paying an extra $200 for features I don't want and that I would have to remove to use the loco.
And as I commented earlier, I think I will pick up a couple Bachmann EM-1's for $200 each, rather than spend $600 on a loco I would have to rewire......no matter how "good" it is - and Micro Mark will have them to me in a few days........
Sheldon
David,
MTH does make some nicely detailed locomotives. That said, they have in the past appeared to not be as concerned about "prototype accuracy" as some modelers would like; hence the choice for choosing a competitor's identical model rather than MTH.
Another issue is the amount of voltage needed to run MTH locomotives on DC. I remember reading that MTH units require 24V(?). That means their units are gong to operate much slower (read less than prototype top-speed) on layouts that operate on DC.
Some have also complained about the "inaccessibility" of MTH's proprietary DCS technology. While it will operate on DC or DCC - unless you have one of their DCS systems, you are much more limited to any fine-tuning of your locomotive's CVs than you do with other manufacturer's products.
If one enjoys tinkering and operating their layout and/or their locomotives in a prototypical manner (i.e. speed, lighting-effects, sound adjustments), the above concerns are worth noting. Anyhow, that's my varying opinion.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
jecorbett I have both of their streamlined Hudsons on my layout and two passenger sets. Their passengers cars are of much better quality than Walthers both in appearance and reliability.
I have both of their streamlined Hudsons on my layout and two passenger sets. Their passengers cars are of much better quality than Walthers both in appearance and reliability.
I opted for the BLI Dreyfuss Hudson. The MTH Hudson operates a bit more smoothly but the detailing is better on the BLI version.
Couldn't agree with you more on MTH's 20th Century Limited passenger cars. The detailing is very nice and the flicker-free LED lighting modules inside each car were worth the added cost. VERY happy with that purchase and hoping MTH will release a couple more TCL cars (another diner & RPO) sometime in the near future.
dinwittyI will enjoy my brass Akane DM&IR 2-8-8-4. If I every buy an MTH engine, the decoder gets yanked out installed with a true compatible NMRA decoder. but its 0 on the MTH equipment here. I evaluated their Little Joe and I turned around and bought 2 other brass Joes. ALCO models and Oriental version. If your going to have flipping pantagraphs, make some provision when your powered via overhead when the pans are down to command them to go up. owait, thats impossible. You have to have 2 rail DCC for command and power via the overhead. I could keep going down the list what MTH has been doing that goes the wrong way with me.
I suppose it would have been nice for MTH to adhere to DCC standards but that is a business choice they made and they had every right to do so. I have never gotten into programming the advanced DCC functions so this hasn't mattered much to me. The basic functions on MTH equipment work just fine right out of the box on my layout and they've had what I wanted when no one else did so they got my business. If someone hadn't told me they weren't DCC compliant I never would have known. I have both of their streamlined Hudsons on my layout and two passenger sets. Their passengers cars are of much better quality than Walthers both in appearance and reliability.
Good...someone is finally making a DMIR 2-8-8-4. I want one...but I ain't getting one. If it's in line with MTH pricing of similar types of locomotives... I can't put aside a mortgage payment for a locomotive model.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
I appreciate the support I have recieved in this thread, thank you.
I will Order the newly announced MTH Yellowstone due in Dec. 2015. If it is delayed, the world will not end. Besides the big boy is due in December also so a little delay on one or the other could help the finances.
jecorbett One of the frustrating trends I have seen in this hobby over the past decade and maybe before that is companies that announce a delivery date and then postponing it not just for months but in some cases years. What's the point of announcing something you aren't about to produce. I understand why companies have gone to pre-orders to make sure there is enough demand to make a run profitable, but why announce a delivery date unless you are ready to start production? I remember BLI announcing their Dreyfus Hudson and then failing to deliver for several more years. I got so frustrated that when MTH came out with their version I bought theirs and BLI lost the sale.
One of the frustrating trends I have seen in this hobby over the past decade and maybe before that is companies that announce a delivery date and then postponing it not just for months but in some cases years. What's the point of announcing something you aren't about to produce. I understand why companies have gone to pre-orders to make sure there is enough demand to make a run profitable, but why announce a delivery date unless you are ready to start production?
I remember BLI announcing their Dreyfus Hudson and then failing to deliver for several more years. I got so frustrated that when MTH came out with their version I bought theirs and BLI lost the sale.
I agree, this whole preorder, advance announcement crap is just that - crap.
And that opinion is NOT directed just at MTH.
And equally pointless is MTH and BLI making all the same locos just to spite each other (or are they really in cahoots and the same guy in China is making both pieces with just a few changes.........)
As for a DM&IR Yellowstone, I am indifferent, as I only model the B&O, C&O, WM and my fictional ATLANTIC CENTRAL - for which a yellowstone would not be approperate.
But I have been considering some more locos - Bachmann B&O EM-1's can be had for just a little over $200 - so I could likely buy three or more for the price of an MTH Yellowstone - and not have to wait - Bachmann has already made B&O EM-1's........and lots of sellers have them waiting on the shelf.......what a silly idea.
one of the problems with all mfgs. Is on time delivery dates And some mfgs. Building the same items when one is announced.
Don't forget all of our trains are built in China and that can become a problem. Also MTH builds models in O, HO, S, STD. GAUGE. NO MFG. is free from delays, some short and others long.
Sometimes we have to wait, if you can't wait just cancel and go on. Constant complaining does not help.
I am happy to see this announcement, but wish BLI had done it about four years ago. They seem to stick with PRR, NYC, and more eastern roads than central or western roads. No C&NW, no WP, DMIR, CB&Q, IC,...
I won't be acquiring any more locmotives for quite a while, but I will follow the progress of this offering and hope that it does well. Who knows, as an inveterate collector of articulated steam, I may just eventually cop one of these beauties.
Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised to see an announcement from BLI within the next six months offering the same locomotive. They did that with the UP 4-12-2.
Just ignore them Dave, I know there are many others who will be excited over the Yellowstone.
Catnip ain't what it used to be.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
David, welcome to the Internet, where the single most popular activity is pissing on other peoples' fun.I have no need for a Yellowstone, but I'm happy for the people who will be glad to get one.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
You know, you guys are a bunch of cranks, I don't care if you like the engine or not but geez I just posted it for the guys who may be interested.
It is one engine I always wanted so it being announced had me excited.
Im just sorry for those who had to post condescending responses.
maybe I just will not post anymore.
So? The Subway cars were due LAST spring.
TRainworld told me they would have them next week (Aug 5th)
Still NOS
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
"Don't want it; don't need it; couldn't afford it if I did."
DAVID FORTNEY The DMIR Is due in December.
The DMIR Is due in December.
Of what year?
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Poor LION.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Big Deal. MTH announced some HO scale subway cars, but they are not here yet.
GRRrrrr....
Mth has announced a HO DMIR 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone, this should be a great engine. Whoever likes big steam, this will be for you.
Now they have to make DMIR ore cars, put me in for 50.