Has anyone bought one of these beasts yet? I’m wondering how well they run etc. I know they come with some new type of remote couplers but is it possible to replace these with Kadees. I’m thinking of getting one or two in CN colours but I’m wondering if I should just wait for Athearn to bring out it’s Genesis model.
I´ve one, after one hour running-in, it has excelent slow motion. Super details, great sounds, and very effective uncouplers (don´t change for Kadees…). A fine (and cheap) model.
The only reason I thought about changing the couplers is because they look oversize. I thought Kadee scale couplers might look better. Are the MTH couplers compatible with other brands? All my rolling stock has Kadees.
I just got the D&RGW version of this engine and it runs good right out of the box. The remote couplers are hard to get coupled to all cars as there is a trip lever in the coupler that has to be pushed back so far to lock the coupler. I have tried it with Kadee’s and McHenry couplers and see no problem uncoupling just that it is hard to get them coupled. There is a set of couplers included with instructions for changing if you want. I’m hoping that the couplers will couple smoother after a little use.
We coupled it up to 73 freight cars on the Hobby shop owners layout and it pulled the train like it was nothing. I’m more than pleased with mine so far and hope that it stays that way. This is my third engine from MTH and my only complaint is that there is some parameters that I can’t change with my DCC system but I am told that there is a free upgrade in the software coming.
Jim
Hi Boomer Red,
I have two of the SD70ACe’s and love them. I’d suggest you at least try the coupler before changing then out (yes they change out easily). I slightly modified my couplers by softening the spring that pops the coupler knuckle open and it GREATLY improved the coupling action. They work best with the McHenry scale coupler and the Kadee #58 scale couple. Kadee #5’s also work fairly well, but not nearly as well as the scale couplers. The coupler will join with Walthers, Atlas, and even Sergent couplers, but you really can’t get them to couple when backing up to the cars. They require a little help from the 0-5-0 switcher.[;)] Here’s a link to a video I put on YouTube showing my modified couplers mating with a cut of three NMRA weighted cars at 1 smph: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqgE-7kPot0
I’m looking for the CN version myself - I should have bought one months ago before they got hard to find.
These are terrific models for the money, are well and accurately detailed for the respective versions, and the couplers are easy to change out with the supplied kadee compatible ones.(I prefer the kadee #58’s)
For the money, there isn’t a better pulling, smoother and quieter drive on the market - this model out- performs the Brass ones from Overland - big time.
I’ve already purchased and programmed all 27 of mine including the SD70M-2 models - mine have the protosound 3.0 and have programmable sound features in all 28 functions -the only modifiaction I made to ALL of mine, was changing the color tempreture of the LED’s - The ’ blue ’ leds are the only gripe I had about the entire model.
I corrected this by using some Tamiya clear orange acrylic and lightly tinted the leds while they were on, unti lI got the desired affect - it doesn’t take much but the result is a more realistic ‘incandesent’ color -they are still brite and look really good once they’re tinted.
If you 've seen the Hi-Res photos of the Athearn model on their website, you’ll be glad you went with the MTH model -the Athearn model has a lot of errors and the grill work is absolutely horrible what was Athearn thinking?
These are suppose to be the final production models and the radiator fan housings are way too tall - a feature that Brian Marsh admitted needed changed(tower 55) the grill work is not acceptable- it doesn’t even look right - MTH got this det
Is Horizon trying to sell Athearn? I hadn’t heard that.
BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT. I am really happy with all 4 of mine. The detail blows me away and it does come close to a brass model as far as detail goes. They run perfect and can pull like a clydesdale on steroids. They are getting hard to find especially CN and NS. For the money spent you wont be disappointed. I have seen the Athearn version and there is no comparison.
Which leads me to my next question. I was going to start another thread for this but i’ll just ask it here. Does any one know when the 2nd batch of the MTH SD70ACe’s are coming out? I saw them in the newest updated catalog but was wondering if anyone knew of a projected shipping date. I know they took forever getting them shipped out the first time around, which in this hobby seems to be the norm.
I would recommend going with the MTH DCC ready version. I don’t know if they have it available in CN yet but a Tsunami in one of those would be much better and they have standard couplers. The auto couplers look strange and was the first thing I removed from my 2. The second thing was the decoder.
They use canon motors which are top notch and are excellent runners.
website says October on the Protosound 3.0 versions - the DCC versions are due now and in early Oct.
MB Klien in Baltimore and Discount Model Trains in Addison(Dallas) still has some from the previous run in stock - about the same price Klien@209.95 and Discount at 224.00
HeritageFleet1
Heritagefleet 1
Hamltonblue…
I agree with you that he Tsunami decoders would be the best choice for the DCC versions, as far as aftermarket decoders go - but - I hope that Soundtraxx is working on a new sound file for the Ace as they have a different sound than the previous generation EMD’s and wouldn’t be quite right(acceptable maybe) for the ACe/-2 line. I’m a firm believer in the Tsunami but the digital sound quality of the 3.0 is really heard to beat - I upgraded several sound files from another locomotive that has the more updated factory sound files - you can do it with the DCS wirless unit and TIU on Windows(Mac apps not available yet) Due to demand, MTH sound engineers are planning new updates for these and other locomotives - so, I just copied one sound file to another, utilizing their website -the downloads are free.
Heritagefleet 1
Hi MisterBeasley…
I’ve heard this from so many ratailers and wholesalers over the last several months - too many for it to be a rumor I’d think…economy is just been so down that I guess there are no investors willing to gamble on the risk right now… especially with a company tied to production overseas and with unstable international exchange rates.
BTW: I really was thrown by those photos of your subway layout -when I finally figured out what I was looking at, I thought that it was really neat! Do you have a lot of modelers in your region that are into the subway and interurban modeling? not to get off the thread topic, but i’ve always been interested in that - I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa with the PAT trolleys, the newer lightrail transit cars and the Inclines… you don’t see much of that type of modeling.
Thanks,
HeritageFleet1
Hi MisterBeasley…
I’ve heard this from so many ratailers and wholesalers over the last several months - too many for it to be a rumor I’d think…economy is just been so down that I guess there are no investors willing to gamble on the risk right now… especially with a company tied to production overseas and with unstable international exchange rates.
BTW: I really was thrown by those photos of your subway layout -when I finally figured out what I was looking at, I thought that it was really neat! Do you have a lot of modelers in your region that are into the subway and interurban modeling? not to get off the thread topic, but i’ve always been interested in that - I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa with the PAT trolleys, the newer lightrail transit cars and the Inclines… you don’t see much of that type of modeling.
Thanks,
HeritageFleet1
Another thumbs up for me. [Y]
I have 2 from their first run. The couplers didn’t work at all so I replaced them with Kadee #5s.
I will be getting a few more when the new releases are available.
And yes they do pull like Clydesdales on steroids, no joke.
I recently spent a day with a club that had 6 of them, they are quite literally, the smoothest, finest running HO diesels I have ever seen and operated, If I modeled modern, these are the babies I would have.
HeritageFleet1,
Thanks for the info on the release date. Gotta save up some cash for the new batch. Just when you think you have enough locos, someone always comes out with somthing new that I want, but really dont need. But then if you wait to long, they are sold out and the prices are jacked up twice as much on e-bay. They sure know what they are doing with the whole supply and demand theory.
RiversideBNSF
No problem…glad to be of help. I just ordered a CN SD70M-2 that I found on line at Mainline Hobby Supply in Blue Ridge Summit, PA .
These are scarace now and e-bay prices are getting near the $300 range for one so I’m glad I found this one.
If you’re looking for the BNSF ones, they may b a little harder to find I got three from the second run -these have the corrected fueltank w/ dual fillers as per the prototype.
One thing I’ll say about MTH - they will admit that they are learning about the HO market and what the HO modeler expects - and they are not afraid to correct a mistake…good for them.
There hasn’t been too many things they’ve missed though and the models are the best running out there.
Good luck with the models - you’ll be glad you spent the money.
I just recently bought a MTH SD70ACE (BNSF) and the coupler height is not correct. It is a bit low. I replaced it with a Kadee #5 and it lined up well. I called MTH for support and they did clearly state that there was an error on the mold that place the automatic coupler to low. The solutions offered were:
-
Find the car that will be attached to the loco and shim it (not sure how to do that downward) to fit the loco.
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Pop off the trucks on the loco and shim the locomotive “up” with washers.
They did say the issue had been corrected on future runs, but there was no sure way to know whlich are the older runs vs. the new runs because they have the same number. He did mention something about the color of the coupler telling which was the new run vs. old, but unfortunatly I did not take notes…
I might try shimming the loco up when I get the time, otherwise I will just use the Kadee #5.
I have seen a few other posts about this issue, but no one explained much other than to say the couplers did not work.
Another interesting thing, I logged the issure via email, and the response was to call them to discuss it, guessing they did not want to put this in writing? who knows…
By the way, I still love the train, luckily, I did not buy for the couplers, although it could have been pretty fun to work with.
My advice is to go and get them now! As mentioned above many times, MTH has hit a home run with these.They’re drop dead gorgeous and run better than anything else in HO.
Rick
I’d say wait for an the Athearn CN SD70M-2 if you want an drop dead great model. I own a couple of the ACes from em and I havent been wowed by a model that much in a long time. Even though I model KCS I find myself getting more of the Athearn ACes in other roads,and a couple of M-2s. Thats my opinion even though some say go go MTH,but the Athearn is better if you want an all around great model,thats me on that.
good day all,
D