Does anybody have any experience with MTH? Are they new to one gauge?
My local hobby shop has started to stock MTH since LGB has been scarce.
Enquiring Minds!
Coogler Rail Line wrote: Does anybody have any experience with MTH? Are they new to one gauge?My local hobby shop has started to stock MTH since LGB has been scarce.Enquiring Minds!
Yes, I run MTH (Mikes Train House). No problems but I do change stuff if I don't like it.
Like I run Kadee so that is the 1st thing to go on the cars, never had a engine thou, mostly cars.
MTH is not new they been around since 1980s.
MTH is the second largest model train company in the U.S. behind "Lionel". They have been building "O" gauge for 25 years (I collect "O", run "G"). They first published a "Gauge One" (G) catalog in 2002 and the first products arrived in 2003.
Built in China, the Cars, in my opinion, are excellent, rugged construction, high detail, and weather-proof paint. I have 6 Diesels with few or no problems, I would buy more. The Steam Locomotives look beautiful but Quality varies, all have had "bugs".
Based on "O" gauge the locomotives all have the Protosound II/DCS system. Great, Great sound!! But, full access to all the sound features are limited unless you use their DCS control system. I do use and like the DCS System and have added it to 3 of my Aristo-Craft locomotives. Engines can run on DC (I use DC) or AC or Analog (TE) or DCS (I use both). The locomotives that they model in 1/32 are so big they still look good with 1/29 cars. The 1/22 LGB cars???
In stock or at a Train Show, great, if you "pre-order" you may wait years. I think we must be "second string" to the "O" and "HO" production.
MTH Hudson
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Thanks for the feedback guys!
I was wondering....MTH's catalog has a very limited amount of large scale items and their website is swamped with O scale. I did a search of the forums and very little popped out.
Since my local retailer is going to carry them since LGB's future is in doubt, I wanted to get the 411 on their quality. While I was at the shop, the salesman put a MTH cabose with a lighted interior on the track to show off the features. After a couple of minutes, it started to smoke (in the bad way).
One Bad Boy!!!!
That looks sweet!
If MTH only had Southern Railroad Locos.
Coogler Rail Line wrote: If MTH only had Southern Railroad Locos.
Reletter
Coogler Rail Line wrote:Re letter? I am lazy and the southern railroad was predomniately green.
Lazy???? Well, want and need it bad enough resand, airbrush then reletter and number.
Just be lazy with it, go slow......like make it a year project but no more. It is a HUGE engine!!!!
I will tell you how lazy I am, I draw out plans before I do anything! Y, I have no clue but I must love it?!
I know you can turn one into a Southern Unit! (where dis screw go to?)
As close as you get is the Clinchfield Challenger and NS Dash-8s.
MTH Challenger
You are tempting me!
Coogler Rail Line wrote:Thats the problem...I just did it all weekend. My local retailer had a buy one get the second half off sale. I bought a couple of LGB cars one of which is the Southern Railroad box car. It looks nice but it would look a lot better being pulled by one of those nice locos!
Tell your wife you feel real gulity and box it all back up. Go back to store, get store credit, and order or buy the beast
[ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] I know you can turn one into a Southern Unit! (where dis screw go to?)
(Mechanic}-- too many parts, manufacturer put in too many.....Left over parts....
Byron 30 years
[ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] Tell your wife you feel real gulity and box it all back up. Go back to store, get store credit, and order or buy the beast
EMPIRE II LINE wrote:[ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] Tell your wife you feel real gulity and box it all back up. Go back to store, get store credit, and order or buy the beast That'sis a real good idea........An let her see's ya tooo......
Tis why I have no wife and rather have no wife!
user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] user="EMPIRE II LINE"][ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] Tell your wife you feel real gulity and box it all back up. Go back to store, get store credit, and order or buy the beast That'sis a real good idea........An let her see's ya tooo......Tis why I have no wife and rather have no wife!
user="EMPIRE II LINE"][ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] Tell your wife you feel real gulity and box it all back up. Go back to store, get store credit, and order or buy the beast That'sis a real good idea........An let her see's ya tooo......
Same boat my friend, for now, anyway, she don't wanna listen anyway !!!!!
Got three dogs though........better friends, for now. They listen !!!!!
Only woman I got in my life for now, at times, is Amber-----last names Bach.......Goes down Smooth.....
Coogler Rail Line wrote:I got to lay more track for that beast to run. It has been so hot the last several weeks I haven't gotten much done.
You are going main line with that track right? or left . It is pushing 116* today here!!!
EMPIRE II LINE wrote: user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] user="EMPIRE II LINE"][ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"] Tell your wife you feel real gulity and box it all back up. Go back to store, get store credit, and order or buy the beast That'sis a real good idea........An let her see's ya tooo......Tis why I have no wife and rather have no wife! Same boat my friend, for now, anyway, she don't wanna listen anyway !!!!!Got three dogs though........better friends, for now. They listen !!!!!Only woman I got in my life for now, at times, is Amber-----last names Bach.......Goes down Smooth.....
Have 2 cats, no girlfriend but that can change (HAS to love trains & spend all her money on them) but I guess I will just watch out for my mom for now who knows I am crazy.
[ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn] Have 2 cats, no girlfriend but that can change (HAS to love trains & spend all her money on them) but I guess I will just watch out for my mom for now who knows I am crazy.
Well you know Bill,
Her cousin is Mr. Busch and her brother is Bud, but he ain't to Wise, some day he might get a little Wiser though. But that's only if'en he listens to his daddy Micky, who keeps swatt'en him on his ear-Lobe, fer not listen'en.
As I say she Goes Down smooth, nice lady.......To have around when watching Trains run......
Byron
Coogler Rail Line wrote:So I am not the only one that likes to have a couple of brews while watchin my trains! But I buy it by the keg....it eats into my train budget though.
I have 4 of MTH's "G" steam engines.
I did have initial problems with 2 of them. MTH's warrenty service is excellent.
I run mine with MTH's TIU using A.C..
The only major problem is their rail wiper. It shorts out at turnout (Aristo Craft) frogs. You need to isulate another 1/4 to 1/2 inch more of the rail. I placed blue painters tape.
I had the same problem with Aristo Crafts engines also.
MTH's engine are a form of plastic but DO NOT look or feel plastic.
I do not know about their new draw bar with all the electrical interconnection. Reason, I cut my draw bars and shorten them. They looks a lot better with the tender closer.
Using A.C. power, You have to be careful not to place a non MTH engine on the track.
MTH's engines will also run on D.C. through the TIU. But with only basic control.
I am now waiting for MTH to get there GG-1 and PA & PB -1 into the market.
MTH's website and news letter is 99% "O" with very little discription clearification.
All of MTH's "G" equiptment start with "70" and "O" is "30"
Thanks for the feedback Spike! I would have hated to fry one of my LGB's while running a MTH.
Grab a beer and join the party!
user="Coogler Rail Line"] Grab a beer and join the party!
??????????? Empire line??????????
I am one of those rare few who does not enjoy a beer. A coke from the bottom of a bucket of ICE and I am set for 10 minutes on any day from over 40 to just over 75 F. After that I climb into the bucket.
Get me alone side a set of rails and the party begins. Double track it and I start to swing. A cross over and I get out of hand.
Place a steam engine on one and I am totally out of control.
Just to add:
I had a switch problem with the USA switches. The points are hot with the opposite polarity. The rail to points can be bridges by the slider or large drivers. I rewired the switch points so only the Frog switches polarity when operated.
I run DC with an Aristo "Elite" power supply feeding the TIU "Fixed Voltage IN1" ("Fixed DCS Out 1" to track). ALL DCS features ARE available.
MTH does not list the new drawbar for the "G" products. Yes, the drawbars are "toy train" too long. I find a Lionel siderod makes a good short drawbar. I then add 1"" of 1x1 inch self stick foam (window insulation) on the front of the Tender to further close the gap.
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