I received a new catalog from MTH in today’s mail. Besides the previously discussed SD70M-2’s they’ve also announced USRA light Mikados in B&O, UP, NYC, PRR, and two undecorated versions. Each roadname has specific headlights and pilots, although I don’t know enough about each prototype to know if they’re correct. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable would care to take a look. Here’s the web page: MTH USRA light Mikados
They’ve also done a nice video of the UP version in operation: VIDEO
They’re claiming a Dec. '08 delivery, which seems reasonable since they have a fully operational and decorated model in the video.
WoW!!! I’m impressed, really impressed. I’ll be interested to see what other offerings MTH will be providing. If this is “Of Things To Come” then some of the other high end manufacturers better pull up their socks!
Just curious why MTH went with a Mike when there is so many already out there?
I rather get two BLI light Mikes than one of those. No thanks. But it is interesting to see what MTH’s presence in the HO market will do to the other manufacturers.
That is a thing I don’t get. I never really thought that smokes looks very convincing. If anything it makes it look more toy like. I got about 25 engines with smoke and I never use the smoke option. I just don’t see the reason to do it. Plus all the talk about the smoke ruining the track. So for me atleast(other might think otherwise) the smoke is a feature that only ads to the cost without any real benefits.
I’d like more prototype road locos. Now, if that UP 2-8-2 had a UP style headlight and config, it would be cool. But, as is, it’s just another USRA engine in different paint.
Sure sounds like a third of a deal to me. I can have three of the BLI light mikes discounted for the price of one MTH even with it discounted. The USRA Mikado has been out for some time from several import houses and MTH is following a long list of great products, but the MTH is much more expensive like the Trix model.
Just a question on these–I like the looks of the locos, and I know that MTH ended up with some of the PCM dies through some legalese that I don’t understand–are the USRA Lights part of that? And did Pennsy have USRA Lights WITHOUT a Belpaire firebox? Or B&O with a ‘centered’ headlight? I got a little confused looking at the MTH site.
It’s nice to have more medium-sized steamers available, but it would also be nice to have some more railroad-specific models than just the USRA’s. And as I’ve found out through the years, ‘customizing’ die-cast metal to a RR-specific model is a LOT trickier than customizing either plastic or brass, especially when it comes to replacing domes and cabs. It can be done, of course, we’ve all seen some terrific ‘kit-bashes’ of die-casts (especially Bowsers), but I wonder if the material–and especially the price–might make some modelers think twice about adapting these locos to their specific roads?
Just wondering–don’t mean to sound like the Grinch, LOL!
The Pennsy ended up AFAIK with 5 USRA mikes and never converted them to a Belpaire Firebox as they did with the N2 Santa Fe’s. These were all assigned to the Grand Rapids and Indiana and never strayed from there and were not seen on the Pennsy mainlines. I know the number series shown is correct.