MTH HO PRR K-4: Dead or Alive?

[jnichols]

Feelings about MTH aside, I did see the K4 on display at the train show two weekends ago here in SLC. My two cents worth was that it looked like a nice model, but I didn't get a chance to see it run. More importantly...

I spoke to one of the MTH reps in the booth (I can't remember his name right off), and we talked for a minute or two about various things. The topics I wanted answers about were centered around the PS3 system and the possibility of a DCS to DCC interface. While he wouldn't do anything buy speculate, I did get several nods and other reassuring gestures concerning these things. I also mentioned the K4 was a mistake for a first model in HO as BLI had already done it, and I was given some interesting information about this.

As many of you already know (this isn't really a secret), the BLI K4 was really a Lionel HO scale release, but due to the failure of Lionel's attempt to once again sell HO scale products, they dumped it last minute and BLI picked it up and ran with it. Now here is where it gets interesting, apparently the Lionel K4 was also one of the stolen projects from MTH (along with many other O scale models). I didn't realize an HO scale model was involved in this scandle, but according the rep I spoke with it was. Because Lionel removed themselves from the K4 project before MTH was awarded the suit, I'm speculating that MTH couldn't or wouldn't go after BLI for the copied K4. The long story short version of this is that MTH had to redesign their K4 to be "different" than the BLI K4, hence the added features such as sprung drivers and the added delay in shipment.

The fact remains the more I hear about the Lionel, BLI, Korean Brass relationship, the more I want to boycott their crap. It's funny that MTH takes such a beating on the forums, and so few people who do the bashing even have a clue what happened between these companies. While I've never thought MTH handled the PR side of these events very well, I don't think they are the bad guys everyone thinks they are.

Either way, it was nice to talk to someone from their camp about these products and events. And on a side note, I really like the new Proto 3-2 O scale stuff. These products will probably usher in a whole new breed of O scaler as time goes on (I know I've bought a few), and that's something that scale needs badly.

Night all!

Jeff

[MisterBeasley]

I immediately noticed the MTH booth at Springfield. I avoided it because they stunk up the place, literally. They were one of the exhibitors who were constantly running smoke units in their engines. Anyone who is contemplating smoke-producing engines should realize that these things should be reserved for outdoor Garden layouts. Springfield was layed out in three buildings, and two, fortunately, were "non-smoking." I don't know if this was intentional, but I'm glad it worked out that way.

As I said, I didn't look at them closely, but everything I saw was O-gauge.

[AntonioFP45]

Sorry guys, I should have been clearer. I hadn't heard of Zimo producing American sound decoders before. From what I vaguely remember, which TStage mentions, they cater to the Europeon market.

[tstage]

Zimo has been around...but mostly in Europe.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45
[

Time will tell. We've seen recently that more command control manufacturers are or will be making sound available. I had never even heard of "ZIMO", but apparently they're going to be offering some cool DCC Sound goodies as well for American locos. The more guys that throw their hat in the ring.........the better for us! [:D]


With the number of "muscle bound DCC players" growing, MTH would be one of the "smaller athletes" on the field. [8)] Not a criticism, but a basic reality.

Peace

Antonio
Just a comment about ZIMO. For my money, their DCC decoders are the very best. Soundtraxx told me their goal was for the Tsunami drive to run as good as a Zimo.

We use them in the Genesis Challengers and the Trix Big Boy to get the best performance of any drive available.

I will be looking forward to Zimo bringing out more DCC items.

Thanks again for the information.

[davekelly]

I may be wrong, but I think Zimo has been around for quite a long time. Unless I'm remembering things incorrectly I believe Zimo was around even before the NMRA standards. I'm sure someone is more up to speed on this than me.

[AntonioFP45]

Hello David,

Word was sometime in 2006.

No need to worry about flaming. IMHO, fellow forum member MTHRules should feel welcome just like everyone else. We can all discuss this civily and share opinions.

MTH was reported to have spent quite a bit of money in developing this unit. Why a K4? We've all asked that. From what I've read a large number of MTH's customers model northeastern railroads, especially the Pennsy. But at the same time that's one model that competitors have already produced and the market seems already saturated with. Plus MTH's customers are large scale, not HO.

Time will tell. We've seen recently that more command control manufacturers are or will be making sound available. I had never even heard of "ZIMO", but apparently they're going to be offering some cool DCC Sound goodies as well for American locos. The more guys that throw their hat in the ring.........the better for us! [:D]

Though there have been or still are hard feelings about MTH; the stark reality is that even without the hard feelings...........if MTH does get into the HO market they're no longer going to be jumping into the command control arena.........it's more like the Command Control Stadium.

With the number of "muscle bound DCC players" growing, MTH would be one of the "smaller athletes" on the field. [8)] Not a criticism, but a basic reality.

Peace

[Anonymous]

Not seen or heard anything of this loco - they'd be crazy to release another K4 anyway (BLI have it pretty well covered) even without the bad feeling they've managed to stir up. I suspect it may be quietly dropped!

[Anonymous]

Interesting too, that Trainworld just sent out an email offering BLI K-4s for $229... Quite a price. If anything made me think the MTH was imminent, a price drop from BLI would be it...

Oddly, the long wait has made me lose interest. I've got several BLI's now, my K4 roster is pretty much rounded out. Has nothing to do with the "debate" over MTH, they just took so long I've already gone with other options...

[Anonymous]

Or the first 5 pages.

BLI has them beat anyhow. Dont get the trolls started on the MTH... those are letters that stirs up strong feelings around here.

[tstage]

Three guesses who's eventually going to pipe in...and the first two don't count...

[Anonymous]

Any word on this loco's potential production and/or release? MTH hasn't returned my e-mail query. Thanks.