Large Scale Central

MTH 1:32 locos vs. 1:29 locos vs. MTH rolling stock =?

General Discussion
#1

I’m considering an MTH loco – either one of the F series dismal or a Hudson.
Also, what of a USA GP30 and LGB Mogul pulling MTH freight consists? Looks silly?

Therefore, some questions:

1- Does either the MTH dismal or Hudson look OK pulling some of the 1:29 rolling stock? Ok if limited to 1:29 gons? flats? 40’ box cars? Or the LGB box cars/flats/gons? or all of them simply too large to be credible? Granted, box cars in 1:1 vary greatly in height – any RR siding will show same.

OK to purchase MTH rolling stock and run with some LGB/USA/Aristo locos? Ok, if only the LGB mogul is used or?

My apology for the request if there is already site access to a series of comparison photo visuals.

I would appreciate, as well as likely other readers, some of your MTH loco photos shown with the larger 1:29 or LGB (1.22??) rolling stock? Or the reverse with MTH rolling stock shown with LBG/USA/Aristo lsteam & dismals?

Many thanks.
Wendell

#2

Dear Wendell,

Just running the math, here is the 1:29 “Wow” factor compared to 1:32 (assuming increases in all 3 dimensions):

10.3% longer length, width and height.
21.8% larger area
34.3% bigger volume

“Selective compression” usually occurs in the length, (width and height left alone) so as to run around tighter curves.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

#3
Wendell Hanks said:
I'm considering an MTH loco -- either one of the F series dismal or a Hudson. Also, what of a USA GP30 and LGB Mogul pulling MTH freight consists? Looks silly?

Therefore, some questions:

1- Does either the MTH dismal or Hudson look OK pulling some of the 1:29 rolling stock? Ok if limited to 1:29 gons? flats? 40’ box cars? Or the LGB box cars/flats/gons? or all of them simply too large to be credible? Granted, box cars in 1:1 vary greatly in height – any RR siding will show same.

OK to purchase MTH rolling stock and run with some LGB/USA/Aristo locos? Ok, if only the LGB mogul is used or?

My apology for the request if there is already site access to a series of comparison photo visuals.

I would appreciate, as well as likely other readers, some of your MTH loco photos shown with the larger 1:29 or LGB (1.22??) rolling stock? Or the reverse with MTH rolling stock shown with LBG/USA/Aristo lsteam & dismals?

Many thanks.
Wendell


Wendell - the LGB mogul is a narrow-gauge loco prototype to an unspecified scale of around 1/24th or so in parts. IMO it will look very odd hauling a rake of 1/29th AristoCraft box cars, and even more so with the MTH cars. you can just about get away with hauling some of the smaller 1/29th cars with any of the MTH locos, but a modern 100-ton hopper car from either of the two 1/29th scale makers near dwarfs the MTH Hudson or diesel.

My $0.02.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#4

I don’t have any direct comparisons for you, but I agree. The 1:32 stuff is quite small compared to 1:29 and down right tiny when paired with 1:22-1:24, or worse 1:20 rolling stock.

Before you invest in MTH, do a lot of research.

#5

First attraction to MTH Gauge 1 is the proper scale/gauge combination… One would think there would be closer attention to detail, too.

However…

Some MTH 1:32 cars are too toy like in appearance, e.g. operating helicopter flat… looks like up-scaled Lionel O…

#6

Wendell.

Go here & check out Ray Manley’s site…

http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com/

#7

Wendell,

It’s a “G” ** idea!

** “G - wie Gummi”

#8

Wendell,

Did you check out Raymonds site??

#9

Bob-
Thanks for your suggestion.
Answer: Yes, I did bring up his vast collection of photos. No question, Raymond has been a long-time helpful contributor.
The outcome was some helpful comparison shots.

Further, if not wishful thinking, if there was a model rr shop in SoCalif. that carried both MTH/USA/Aristo/Bachmann, I would set up some rolling stock and locos for photo comparisons. Obviously, the larger MTH locos can fly with some of the non-MTH products. I’ll be at the Big Train Show (now all scales out of default) and will see if there are opportunities for comparative photos.

As noted in above posting, the larger 1:29 (non-40’ versions) box cars dwarf MTH. I have some Aristo and mainly Bachmann and LGB rolling stock. My USA GP 30 I think will look silly with some of the MTH cars.

Wendell

#10

Wendell,

I run my Bachmann K27 (1:20.3) toting Bachmann Big Hauler rolling stock (1:24?) and LGB (1:22.5) regularly at the various train shows my club attends. First, if you apply the 10ft rule, it is usually ok (If it looks good at 10 foot, is all good!). I only own one 1:20.3 piece of rolling stock, and next to the others it does dwarf them. But if you run similarly scaled cars, no one (other than rivet counters) seems to notice. We just returned from the South East Garden Railroad Show where my equipment ran for several hours both days and I did not hear one comment on how bad the scale looked. In reality the rolling stock is too small, but I have never seen a child that cared.

My tuppence worth,

Bob C

#11

Bob-
Thanks for the input.
Agreed, the Bachmann/Accucraft 1:20 rolling stock clearly does not fit with Bachmann’s/LGB 1:24 (?)and USA/Aristo 1:29 locos – unless, and this is just a suspicion – the MTH loco is one of the largest of the mfg’s fleet.

On the other side of the problem, MTH’s Challenger likely will be within 10’ viewing criteria with the Bachmann/LGB cars even if mixed with Aristo’s box cars. The flats likely will fly it this loco even in 1:29. I doubt if the MTH diesel units will work with such a combo.

A big wish…
If some generous soul, who owns MTH as well as LGB/Bachmann and some samples of USA and Aristo 1:29, would shoot some comparative photos worthy of saving for future inquiry, this would be helpful now and later. All of this especially if Bachmann were to cease production of their mix of 1:24, etc., sized rolling stock. Then our hobby is left with USA and Aristo as the sources outside of MTH.

More tuppence from me.
Wendell

#12
Wendell Hanks said:
A big wish....If some generous soul, who owns MTH as well as LGB/Bachmann and some samples of USA and Aristo 1:29, would shoot some comparative photos worthy of saving for future inquiry, this would be helpful now and later. All of this especially if Bachmann were to cease production of their mix of 1:24, etc., sized rolling stock. Then our hobby is left with USA and Aristo as the sources outside of MTH.

More tuppence from me.
Wendell


Wendell - a pal of mine has both MTH and Aster Big Boys, - MTH Challengers and Daylights and LGB and Bachmann cars of all kinds. I have many Bachmann locos, including the ten-wheeler and all the three foot locos, geared as well as rod-drive, as well as cars in the same scale. I have about thrity Aristo and USA Trains dismals and rolling stock, so they mix and match would be pretty easy, providing you are not in a great rush.

I have not yet received an invite over to the next steam-up, but I’ll do some pix for you next time I’m there.

best

tac
www.ovgrs.org