Fellow forum members,
My apologies if this topic has been dissected before (a "search this site" and "search community" search yielded no useful info). I have pre-ordered one of MTH's new steam locomotives - The Erie Triplex (what an interesting Baldwin product). I am seeking the opinion of anyone who owns any of the recently released MTH steam locos. I run a Digitrax Super Chief Extra DCC system, with code 83 rail, and curves generous enough for an Intermountain SP AC-12. I know MTH's DCS system would give me more complete utilization of all MTH's proprietary features, but that aside, do the MTH products behave well in regular DCC operation? Give it to me straight - no sugar coating.
Wilton.
Yes they are worth owning. You have full functionality on any DCC system. I just recently purchased the GS-6 and its awesome. It pulls like a clydsdale on steirods, smooth running like a swiss watch and great low end speed also.
No complaints here.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Wilton,
As already noted by Michael, MTH locomotives run very well. The one minus for me is that the detailing is not as nice as the Proto 2000s and the BLIs.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Also, most of them seem to have too much gap between engine and tender. The N&W J class especially. They need to design an "extending" drawbar like BLI and Proto uses. Looks too much like "shrunken O gauge" to me!
Mike C.
The steam drawbars are all the same except for length. If you can get ahold of the right parts person at MTH, you can zero in on a shorter drawbar to substitute which will look more correct - I did this for my GS-4. Don't remember the details, but not expensive.
I have the Triplex also. The only other issue was with the GS-4, which I had to modify to keep it from climbing Peco code 100 frogs. Removed the pilot spring, and added lead to both the pilot frame and behind cylinders. Otherwise, both are good runners and pullers.
The DCC flexibility of the steamers is limited, and, unlike the diesels, the decoders cannot be upgraded to a full set of DCC options by a download.
Hal
The new released MTH steamers, now have a wireless drawbar. I really like it, and I hate seeing wires in between the tender. I really like the improvement.
I agree; that's the type drawbar I refer to, no wires, which is available in different lengths. I got the part numbers of the various lengths and ordered the shortest that would clear the GS-4 cab on 28 inch radius curves.