Andre, thanks for your reply. I understood the reason for the eye-rolling; that there were too many K-4s over the years. It is just that I am new to the hobby, relatively, and have not yet acquired one. It is a handsome loco, as are the Berk, the FEF, and the big steam. Also, it will be my first all-metal loco. I’d even enjoy a heavy Consolidation. But, I have to temper my lust and acquisitiveness, for the sakes of both my marriage and our balance sheet.
I’ll have to spend more time learning about the different Pacific iterations; I know that several companies made them, in N. America and abroad.
The problem with the undecorated version is that only a few roads, like Pennsy and GN used the Belpaire firebox. Certainly the Frisco, which I model, did not use that, so immediately, I would have to do major surgery on the firebox to make it look right.
As for the other observations that I made about DCS, Mike’s litigation, ect., I was just reporting the way I felt. I know that it has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum, but I still think that way. As for the smoke, I just reported my experience. YMMV, or, maybe, HO equipment is more sensitive to residue on tracks than O.[C):-)]
Yeah, the Belpaire firebox does make things a bit trickier when trying an aftermarket paint scheme, but you know the first rule of model railroading, it’s your railroad! Although a dedicated Western modeler, I might just have to squeeze an Eastern locomotive in somewhere, and heck, there are worse things than Great Northern.
I agree with you 100% about the MTH issues discussed here and elsewhere, and ultimately everyone is entitled to their own view. I just wished more people would quit worrying about the background stuff going on (which of course we have no control over), and stick to the fun parts of the hobby, running trains… [:D]
Actually, I think you deserve the thanks. Usually when all the -ve MTH sentiment comes out with a vengence it is because some MTH troll starts stirring the pot. Fortunately, you have always been a voice of reason and I for one applaud you for that.
But not many better ones! It would take a lot of work to turn that engine into a GN Pacific. A more talented modeler than I could probably remove the boiler and cab shell and fabricate a slip-on replacement: I would think brass would be a good medium for it.
One great side effect of the new generation of RTR models is the interesting kitbashing. There’s a guy in the John Allen interest group at Yahoo who fabricated some great models of freelanced GD Line locomotives out of Bachmann engines. A talented modeler could do a lot with this.
Selector, the problem isn’t that we already have K4’s, it’s that we don’t want one !! Seems like all the model rail manufacturers get together and say “OK this year, let’s all make a UP 4-6-6-4, then next year we can all make a Pennsy K4”…which is kinda frustrating when you’d like to see say a Northern Pacific 4-6-6-4 or Omaha Road 600-class 4-6-2 or whatever.
Be like as if NBC, CBS and ABC got together and decided to each show “Gilligan’s Island” reruns at the same time every night.
That is an excellent looking model. And sounds almost exactly like ProtoSound2, down to the shrill whistle. I never was crazy about that whistle, I like the deeper toned ones.
If I wasn’t in N scale, I would probably be saving up for one of them right now.
That dude is somthing else…
Is there anyway to get him banned? I mean, he’s not even a real person. Just pops up and trolls.
From how I sees it, the BLI is a little better. I’m no MTH basher, but if I wanted a K4, I’d go with the Broadway.
The boiler is painted Brunswick green, MTH’s looks black.
The rods are nicely darkend, while the MTH’s are bright and shinny.
The lead red on the tender and cab are the correct tone, MTH’s is a bright orangish red.
And I am familiar with BLI steamer disassemblies.
Oh come on, he just adds some fun to the forum… [}:)]
While not a Eastern modeler by any means, I’m fairly sure the model you see in the video is a pre-production sample. MTH has a huge devoted O scale fan base in the Eastern states, and I’m quite certain the details and paint on this K4 will be very good on the production units. As I have never seen the BLI K4 up close and personal, but I know this was a locomotive designed and built for Lionel before they dropped out of HO (again), so the detail level is probably pretty good (better than BLI’s plastic models for sure). If their O-scale counterparts are any indication however, the MTH version will be the better looking model, not to mention it will have features the BLI model doesn’t have.
I’m very surprised people are not more excited about this model. While I don’t particularly care for the PRR, I can’t wait to see some Western models from MTH. Features like the wireless tether, sprung drivers, IR tach tape speed control and smoke unit are very cool and unheard of at $400 MSRP in HO scale (or any scale for that matter). If the detail level is as good as I hope it will be (I’m fairly certain it will run wonderfully, as all their O scale models do), I will be glad to add a few more HO scale steamers to my fleet!
Nah. He shouldn’t be banned. He only pops up once in a blue moon with the same type of line over and over (though sometimes, IMHO, he’s posted good input).
Basically I look at it as the occasional “comedy relief”. Sorry, but I like having him around. [:D]His approach makes me think of him running into a hobby shop, jumping up and down while talking to the owner and customers; saying something like:
“Hey! Hey!!! Guess what! It’s-a-coming! It’ll be here soon! Can’t Wait-Can’t Wait-Can’t Wait!--------Boy, I can’t wait!! You’ll see! Yuk-Yuk-Yuk! You’ll see! It’s gonna take over EVERYTHING!! So, throw away your DCC junk!! Poor Digitrax, Soundtraxx, Lenz! They’re in for a shock!!----All Doomed for bankruptcy when THE BIG “M” explodes on to the scene!! KAPOWEE!!! DCC’s vaporized! Gone! OOOH BOY! I can’t wait any longer! Hey!! Oh boy, now I’m pulsing from all this excitement! Help! Now I’m gonna EXPLODE! SOMEONE HELP!” [:0]
Ah, caveat emptor. If a newbie notices only his posts and not the wreath of flaming responses that generally surrounds them, well, that’s his business. I’m an agnostic on the whole hate/love MTH business. Let argument reveal the truth.
And as was observed above, if MTH was producing a western-themed model (like, say, a Grande F-81) with all of these bells and whistles, I’d be elbowing people out of the way to get at it. It’ll be interesting to see what MR has to say about it: their product reviewer will have his work cut out for him.
But no 2-10-2s, alas. I know Bachmann’s bringing out a light USRA, but there just aren’t enough early Santa Fes out there for my taste. Unless, that is, you want to spend $1400 for a Challenger C&S 900 in brass or a Grande F-81…you would think there are enough Grande modelers out there to make a diecast F-81 a worthwhile project: and there’s not much competition.
jnichols, the BLI K-4 is the only loco in their Platinum series, and is all metal and “super-detailed”, according to their specs. I anticipate that it will be as detailed as the MTH product. Wireless tethering sounds good to me, but I don’t find the BLI system objectionable. As for the smoke…no thank-you. If it were of the type to leave no residue, on or near the layout, and could also be made to ‘leak’ out of the cylinder cocks and glands, and out of the generators, I would give it a strong look. As it is, I am content with the sound.
For the record, I like the looks of the MTH Pacific, and would have one if it were not for the controversy and the proprietary nature of their included software.