John Carmichael Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 I've always been curious as to how MTH was able to create its model design for the Triplex since all the original Triplexes were scrapped many years ago and none existed when MTH came out with the models. But a few old photographs still exist. Wouldn't MTH have also needed copies of the original engineering blueprints? Does anybody know if they designed the models using just the old photographs or did they have the original blueprints too? just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 All the Triplexes were built by Baldwin (3 for Erie and 1 for Virginian) and would guess that all the blueprints exist somewhere and were used for the models. I don't know for certain but that is my guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry B44 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Never understood making such an odd model that only two railroads had. If they would have done 844, that would have sold well, since that type was used by many other railroads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 MTH made the triplex because the engine is very popular in O gauge and continually see the engine coming up for new production runs in new catalogs. So the decision was based on what they know is popular overall based on their other product lines. It is a model that is hit or miss for people, you either really like it or don't but overall it has proven to be a popular design. The triplex was the second HO steam locomotive MTH released when they first started producing HO engines (http://mthtrains.com/news/316) This was again because of popularity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginear joe Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I will say that when I first saw the model announced, I had zero interest. I just wanted modern diesels. I got one by chance and the thing is a beast. It will pull or push any train I throw at it. Because almost all my guests prefer steamers, it has become my go to engine outside. I just have to be careful when she's pushing a big train with weak headend power. She'll shove everything including those weaker engines. I'm hoping the new Bigboy will produce some big headend power to match her. Otherwise, I may have to throw two or three Challengers up front to be safe. I put a single Hudson up front and that was a big mistake. Even a single Challenger isn't enough up front on big grades with long trains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginear joe Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 http://www.aqpl43.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/triplex/triplex.htm https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=baldwin+erie+triplex+blueprints&view=detailv2&qpvt=baldwin+erie+triplex+blueprints&id=15C9508E9A4224A515C1F9291257C367996A2AC3&selectedIndex=29&ccid=xA4YV%2f4d&simid=607987342362545252&thid=OIP.Mc40e1857fe1deb6f1e89c287ab141c02o0&ajaxhist=0 https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=baldwin+erie+triplex+blueprints&view=detailv2&qpvt=baldwin+erie+triplex+blueprints&id=C492AC9FF09AD152AB141C551C63F407A1DA69C0&selectedIndex=30&ccid=NlJU3p0C&simid=608019919688699576&thid=OIP.M365254de9d020c1a54d0f9debcf8bb58o0&ajaxhist=0 https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=baldwin+erie+triplex+blueprints&view=detailv2&qpvt=baldwin+erie+triplex+blueprints&id=15C9508E9A4224A515C1DA60702B3B8017C5E445&selectedIndex=34&ccid=rzQNT8uy&simid=608032568368697285&thid=OIP.Maf340d4fcbb2ab20aa66341013a4a745o0&ajaxhist=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Miller Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 The Triplex is what got me sucked into MTH...........Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Carmichael Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share Posted July 31, 2016 Thanks for those great links Joe. It's nice to know that those prints were saved. The Triplex reminds me of the Spruce Goose of Howard Hughes or Ford's Edsel.- a great idea ahead of its time with a flawed design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman4449 Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Thanks for the links Joe. I'd really like to own a set of those drawings for the Triplex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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