Well it seems that I can’t bring up my favorite train company here. What I consider to be the best value in trains period is causing a stir on another post. A poor poster asked a question and entered a harsh environment. So let’s use a separate post for this discussion shall we?
Something wrong with their product or is it that beloved Lionel lawsuit thing?
Can we be civil?
Civil in this forum is a matter of opinion, you’re sure are to get it with this topic, lol
I have not even looked at MTH as a munufacture for G because I’m to vested in 1/29, hell i’d even go p29 if someone offered the correct guage and conversion for trucks, wheels and power blocks before considering 1/32.
Damn typos
Mark Dash said:
hell i’d even go p29 is someone offed the correct guage and conversion for trucks, wheels and power blocks before considering 1/32.
Mark,
I’ll let you know how my P:29 attempt works out. USAT so far seems to be a simple widening, Aristo blocks forget about it. But I’ll try not to derail this thread… 
I was surprised how different a scale wheel flange would be on these trains. When I enquired more about it, I was told it would not work in scale trains. I gave up the idea. Is this what you’re describing?
Polk I believe was the one that stated they intentionally increased the flage to overcome problems with the scale/tracking of cars. Most of it is because weight of cars with uneven track (we alll have eneven track from time to time) can cause major problems.
Then again on the prototype, the ALCO trimount truck on the C628 could’t track worth crap, maybe they could have changed the flange on the protype and not pissed off loyal customers with trucks that ripped up the rails
Joe Paonessa said:
I was surprised how different a scale wheel flange would be on these trains. When I enquired more about it, I was told it would not work in scale trains. I gave up the idea. Is this what you’re describing?
Having followed the P:87 movement (which I would do if I got into HO again) this was the exact same argument, but P:87 is growing in popularity. NWSL offered a scale flange wheel replacement for the USAT motor blocks. It was way to tiny to work. But they offered a semi-scale flange replacement that works just fine. So it may not be P:29 but it’s a lot better than the oversized flange.
Same thing with track. Do you manufactor track with tight tolerances or does the track swing widely in gauge? Ever wonder why I handlay? Because I can keep the tolerances to less than .010" in the gauge. Track, wheels, roadbed all have be perfect for a semi-scale or P:29 operation to work. But most modelers don’t care, so it doesn’t work.
Back to your MTH topic…
Well… they (MTH) don’t make their own track so…their products must conform to the market?
I have seen aftermarket replacements for MTH as well popping up. I believe it was NWSL or Gary Raymond? I have a lot of MTH rolling stock and I’m interested in making them look good and run good. They do already but I may upgrade for realism when I get bored.
I may try handlaying more down the road as I’m attempting to hand lay across a bridge now to get the feel for it. I may do a switch if I get the nerve and the talent. That would help tie in to swapping out the wheelsets.
Real trains appear to be sitting on very thin wheels to me. The larger engines and cars make the wheels seem thin? I do have to admit it’s not a deal breaker for me. I do run all brands that I can get.
You can talk about MTH all you want, Joe. Just get the facts right and we’ll all be okay.
As far as purposefully increasing flange thickness…which unit? The new 2-8-0?
I actually worked with MTH prior to the #1 gauge release.
I could relate that episode here, but you wouldn’t listen, as it wouldn’t fit your ideology.
After that, no more.
But, hey, if we haven’t got experience, what do we have?
I’m not blind and try to be reasonable. I would listen if you explained it without colorizing.
Anyone producing anything for 45mm gauged track is a good thing, in my opinion. Even the el cheapo $60 Toys R Us train sets have their merits.
If MTH wants to continue to promote 1:32, more power to them. That scale has historically had a very limited following, but that’s not to say there’s no market for it. The folks with Asters and Accucraft 1:32 locos all need proper rolling stock to run behind their trains. If they can make a go of it, they’ll certainly be the exception to historical patterns, but past performance is never a guarantee of future results, so who’s to say they won’t succeed?
I can’t speak to their quality. I’ve seen their stuff run at train shows and it looks good from that standpoint. I know guys who love DCS and also those who hate it. I’ve never used it.
Later,
K
Whenever I speak of MTH’s quality, I’ve noticed it draws some harsh comments or attitudes towards their products. I can’t help but wonder why?
I have a couple of different brands of trains and I’m very pleased with MTH’s quality and value. I personally never understood the problem. I also like several other brands and buy them all.
I’m with Kevin, anyone who produces for 45 mm track is ok in my book.
As far as quality of MTH, I really cant say. I do have some of their HO stuff and it is very good quality.
The only bone I have to pick is MTH and their pretense of suing anyone who produces stuff remotely like theirs. I think this is why we have some limited capabilities in certain areas of our hobby. Such as fan driven smoke. But, with all that said, I say let’em keep building “G-Scale” trains.
I’m happy with my Hudson and Challenger. The UP passenger cars are great also. I like the little smaller size of 1/32, looks better on my layout, I think. They would look more toy like on code 332 track, I have 250.
I have been very pleased with the MTH G-scale items I have purchased.
But… I am one that could care less about being scale specific in there modeling.
I have everything from just about every manufacturer when it comes to G-scale.
I run what I like, and I run what looks good to me, I don’t take into consideration proper gauge or even era… I don’t mind mixing old steam engines with modern rolling stock or vice versa.
I do however think that the MTH diesels are better performing then there steam era models…
Although, I can only speak of my experiance with a first run production hudson…
While my Hudson looks great (IMO) I am just not that thrilled about how it runs, has too much of what I call a waddle (shifts side to side while running, instead of just staying straight and smooth)
This engine also had the entire drive assembly replaced about 6-months after I purchased it, it was done under warranty by a authorized dealer.
Not a fan of what I call there toy like rolling stock, the ones with planes & tanks and some of there operating stock… but all of the normal tankers, coal hoppers and box cars are fine… And I like them better then the Accucraft 1/32 box cars that I have.
Just wish they would use black wheel sets…
The one engine they make which seems a bit odd to me is the Triplex… I stare at this thing everytime I visit my local shop… It’s huge! Seems much bigger to me then what it should being a 1/32 scale model? maybe in reality it is supposed to be that much bigger, but compared to the Hudson it simply dwarfes it in size.
But I am very happy with the (2) VO1000 engines that I have, the sound, smoke and performance is exceptional… and can’t be beat for the price (IMO)
And they are the reason why I want to add more of there diesels to my collection.
So in my opinion, they are good for this hobby and G-scale.
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/139vinny/New%20Garden%20Railroad/DSC08991_zps953f32a2.jpg)
If I may call you as overall pleased? I feel the same way.
It’s a sharp contrast from “… and Shame on the government for issuing a patent…” which sounds slightly the opposite.
Very pleased, just need to reinforce my train buying budget before they start shipping some new items!
Joe, do you even understand what that comment was about?
MTH was trying to keep EVERY OTHER manufacturer from using BEMF in their motor drives, a concept used by many BEFORE the patent application.
It’s not harsh, it’s true. And it was nasty… you need to talk to other manufacturers who were threatened with legal action and had to change their products.
I’ll hook you up with them and maybe you will hear another side to the story.
By the way, when you make statements like this on other forums:
“this polarity thing is made out by some to be a big deal by individuals”
Although there are several people that do this, one in particular, comes to mind first! I have always believed that he (and the rest) made a choice of control, and will not allow any other choice to be made, by anyone! ??? Dah, Ok."
then you ask “Can we be civil?”
do you wonder? Do you think that your accusations on other forums go unnoticed?
If you want to show up here and accuse people of not being civil, but you attack them on other forums, does that qualify as civil? On either forum?
Greg
Well let’s see…
Yes I’m aware of what back EMF is and when it was being used to a limited extent.
Never said it was harsh, you and the dragon dude keep putting words in my mouth.
You have repeatedly attacked MTH products throughout history and suddenly softened up a bit at a certain point in time, as if you got a notice from someone?
Are you that individual? You seem to be replying as if you are?
You now hide your attacks as civil replies to try act as if you are being attacked. I posted a catalog release, that’s all. I’m not trying to accuse the government of errors.
By the way, you have harassed me in some form from almost the first day I posted. Maybe you had to show yourself as superior?
Some people may not know the history. I remember. I can only guess that it was because I liked a company that you …??? Fill in the blanks for me please. I don’t remember you having such a tough choice deciding which company you’d buy? What’s not civil about that now? It should not show up in a simple post about a companies new product. You just can’t help yourself I guess? Maybe the new guys will follow you. I lose respect every time you type a reply. I’m sure that it’s mutual.
Please take your pissing matches somewhere else. It’s getting old.
