Cyborg1

According to the specs, the Accucraft cars are to be 30" long and the MTH cars are 28 1/2" long so the difference should be 1 1/2" in length. Since MTH only produces a coach and observation car, I wonder what mixing the two manufacturers together would look like? Although no vista dome cars are available, you could add baggage, pullman, and diner cars to add some variety. Just a thought.

I wish I could honestly say that "Yes I am discerning" but in reality I know that wouldn't be true. I have LGB, Aristo, Bachmann, and MTH. I even have some LGB, Aristo, and Bachmann locos converted to DCS. Perhaps with a few exceptions, I think I am pretty much commtted to staying with MTH. My reason is value, I feel MTH gives me the best value for my money. Another reason I couldn't be discerning is I have a sickness. enginear joe loves diesels. Good! My problem is I love diesels too. But, I also love steam and electrics too. And not just american! I love the european stuff as well! Now that's just sick! I do think however that the live steam guys and european modelers are a discerning bunch. As far as bashing 1/32 or MTH, I could care less. No one buys me trains. No one pays for them. Ever notice that the live steam guys and those in Europe rarely get sucked into these ridiculous arguments? Why don't they? Because they are as stated above; they are discerning! And I mean that too! Oh, and plus, they aren't dumb. How can you have any kind of a discussion when almost everything said is absurd? Example: "Too small". OK, I can understand that. However, I don't understand how one could utter that and also state he models in Z scale. Is it me or is it something crazy? Example: "Near O gauge" OK. I can understand that. "Near" is a relative term, but I'll go with it. So, 1/32 is "near" O gauge, but it is "NEARER" to 1/29. So then how far away can 1/29 be from O gauge??? Is it just me again or something crazy??? I think I figured it out: God is Great, Beer is Good, and PEOPLE are CRAZY!!!

I agree, Joe! I think their rolling stock is looking good. Hopefully they realized that they need to pay closer attention to their coloring hues and to produce more realistic paint jobs. Perhaps O gauge and Lionel had to much influence on their paint coloring? Also, I know LGB and others were successful in marketing Coke, Morton Salt, etc., but I don't think they should get too crazy with the M&M kind of stuff. Most large scale trains are purchased by adults for adults and I think MTH needs to keep this in mind. A little bit of "Thomas" is ok, just don't go over board with it. I'm like you; I'm excited to see the rest of the catalog!

Hope everyone here; especially living in the mid-west, made it through safely and with little or no property damage!!!

I've been waiting to see what you came up with and I must say, "very nice"! You won't see many a vista dome on a MTH Gauge #1, LOL! Let's hope MTH see this!! Joe

Ray, thanks for the "heads-up" and other info! Joe

Personally, I really liked the whistle and sound and to think that is going to even be further improved upon with the better speaker! Very NICE passenger train!!

Ray, thanks for the "heads-up" on MTH's new 2013 catalog. This is good news for sure! Joe

The Dash 9 is a really good-looking loco to begin with; and now with these flashy paint schemes I think they are going to sell very, very well!

Jim when you get done kicking youself you can then give me a good kick too! LOL! I remember seeing them at the ECLSTS for like $500. That included the Genesis engine and three cars; and you had a choice of phase III, IV, or V. You are right Jim, not very expensive at all for what you were getting. For around $1200 you could have had 7 or maybe even 8 cars pulled by double headed Genesis diesels. I remember looking long and hard and realizing that that was an exceptional deal for LGB quality. The reason I didn't purchase was because I had difficulty in deciding if that was really my cup of tea. Now, I realize I would really like that train but it's too late now. By the way, I seem to do this alot!! Joe P.S. Thanks for posting the video and pics!

Yes, Mark, I plan on attending. Usually I attend on Saturday but I think I am going to change that to Friday this year.

I was expecting to see a platform layout in the basement but was pleasantly surprised to find your suspended ceiling railroad. Now that is neat! I like it! Thanks for the pics! Joe

Well, you just confirmed what I really expected was going to happen. Excellent job! Looks good!! I like it!! Joe

I think I might already know the answer, but I'll just patiently await your report. LOL!! Joe

Thanks for the info, Mark! I've been to the museum a couple of times. Actually, I'm from Pa myself; just retired a few years ago and moved to SC. Now that I know the tour is Columbus Day weekend, I will try to attend. Oh,and I think I can afford a ticket in supporting the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, LOL!!! Thanks again and maybe I'll get to meet you in October and see your railroad in person!! Joe Joe

Thanks for sharing: Mark for creating such a great layout and Jim for creating such great videos A few questions: Mark, do you do this every year? Is it always the same time? Can anyone come to the open house? I'm assuming you live in or near the Strasburg/Lancaster area? Joe

Mark, I haven't posted in awhile but thanks for the information about MTH and Lionel. I also viewed a You Tube Video where a gentleman has a boiler door open, a bell that swings, and cab windows that open; and all done remotely by the use of servos! Very ingenious! And yes, I too heard that MTH is being very well received in Europe. I never gave a thought about MTH #1 gauge in Europe, but your suggestion makes alot of sense! Europe is a very lucrative market. Garden railroading is big in Europe and so is 1/32 scale. Now you have me thinking about this........ no doubt MTH is considering this!! The cross over is pretty good but.......I'd .like to see more in the way of rolling stock. I think at least one reason one sees that cross over is due to sales. When a item (Loco) sells well in one scale (HO) they assume it will also do well in other scales. Usually this is true. However, when they applied this to the Triplex apparently it didn't work. My understanding is that MTH was disappointed in the Triplex sales. Maybe it was because of the economy and cost of the Triplex? Personally, I think the Triplex ranks right up there with the Challenger and BigBoy......all impressive engines!

Retailers are starting to get the USAT Auto Carriers. Reindeer Pass has some in stock now. They are supposed to be impressive! Joe

This video just re-enforces my original thoughts; good value and decent sound. I like it!

One thing I immediately noticed while viewing Lionel's Vision Line is the obvious similarities between it and MTH. Both smoke almost identically. Both have the engineer chatter. Both have the smoking, quillable whistle. One would think that with such unique features and special effects that it would be under a company patent? I do know that Lionel and MTH were in business together or had some kind of relationship which eventually went sour; lawsuits and stuff. I'm not sure what the end result was or is, but there must still be some kind of a working relationship or agreement because MTH still manufactures Lionel-like trains with Lionel painted right on the side of some of the rolling stock. Anyway, the reason I brought this up is because I'd love to have a one gauge steamer with blow-down and a swinging bell!! Joe

Oh, I forgot to say that I never knew Lionel built something like that Vision Line. In fact, I never even knew they made stuff like that!!! Just awesome!

Ray, I assume you mean MTH as a company wanted to clear out G scale inventory? Because they are just about out of everything in G scale. I never thought MTH would become direct sale only....you need your product out where it can be seen. Your cash flow explanation seems logical and makes sense to me. I haven't been on USAT's site recently, but the last time I was browsing their site their inventory was definitely down. I'm sure Charles Ro is facing the same problems and just trying to get to better times just like anyone else.

Thanks Chuck for the info; that is good news. I knew things weren't good when MTH started selling direct and at reduced prices and then Aristocraft followed suit. I'm not a businessman so I don't understand the business principles involved and what they are trying to accomplish,....although I'm sure it's a cash flow problem at the least. USAT's inventory is also very low. I don't know about Bachmann but I am sure all manufacturers are just trying to weather the storm. Hopefully the economy will recover as well as all model train manufacturers. On another note: those videos posted above by Ray are indeed impressive!! I wish MTH would put those "special effects" into G scale!! In fact, I wish MTH would give G scale 1/10 of what is available in O Scale. It would make me a happy camper!

I too would be happy with whatever MTH decides to produce; and am definitely a fan especially of their steam engines. I'd love any of the engines mentioned!! However, with the economy as it is, a new steam engine release might take awhile. To produce an engine like the Triplex must take a hugh sum of money just for engineering costs. Although Ray was told a new engine has already been designed, (which is GOOD) I would still think there would be additional costs with a new release as opposed to manufacturing some older products? Therefore, MTH might just decide to reintroduce some older product but with the new electronics? At least for the immediate future. That's fine by me. I would love to get a GS4 or Bigboy!! One last thing: about a year or so ago I was at the ECLSTS and a large MTH dealer told me that MTH was seriously thinking about bring the Bigboy back!!! Maybe now would be a good time! LOL!!!

I've heard both the diesel and steam sounds on video and I thought they both sounded pretty good. They may even sound better in person. I think for the cost they are a very good value. I personally wouldn't want all my locos with the same sound but perhaps one or two of each would be a really cost effective way to add some what I think is very decent sound. Joe