Does anyone know when MTH is coming out with there Little Joe ? I saw a breif ad in product reviews and now can’t find anything on it.[sigh] BILL
The Joe I might go for…or not, I already own the NWSL Brass and I “Just” put DCC in it using the GG1 LokSound. I’ll track down Joe sounds and work them in, I have the programmer.
Why do we need “another” NKP 2-8-4?
Being a NKP fan and having stood trackside in the early fifites watching those glorious machines doing sixty plus with heavy freight, my thought is you can never have too many NKP Berkshires. Yes, there are many other models I would like to see available, but as long as MTH, P2K, Bachmann and anyone else makes the Berkshires and they continue selling, it will be good for the hobby.
It would seem that most companies importing models want to build and sell a model that is a proven winner. The Little Joe should do very well also. Now we need more models like a B&O EM1 or the great DM&IR M3 and M4. Give us the SP AC12 in Die Cast Metal. I am surprised that MTH has not announced the AC12 since that was on the list for that other competing manufacturer. It might be one of the stealth models that will show up soon.
CZ
The preliminary report is where I saw the ad . The question is when is it coming out. I see that details are to be announced, so, i guess I just have to be patient. BILL
This is the first MTH engine I’ve seen that I really want. It’s a unique model, pretty much unavailable elsewhere. Since a lot of my motive power is Milwaukee, it would be an appropriate addition to my fleet.
But, can it take 18-inch curves? Sometimes I just ask too much.
Its not my road, but that is one sweet engine. I won’t be getting one, but I hope its a sign of things to come.
Finally !!!
Mixed emotions here, this may mean a new layout, but I’m not done with my present one, or a addition to my home that will contain the Rocky Mountain Division…LOL Happy Days
my NWSLJoe is 26" minimum, and I am building my South Shore with that restriction except for specific industrial places where the 700s work it or the steeple cabs.
It is not a small engine, I have cheated it on 24" but the side hand rail ladders restrict that, if that detail wasn\t there it could hit 24" reasonably. I would guess if you split that detail on the side and truck it could go sharper. 18 inch, never. Even on the South Shore they had signs “800 class Restricted” because curvature was sharper than required for the 800’s.
I would guess if designed right you could make it hit 18" but with compromise on some details.
Probably just as well for me. My lines are not electrified, and I’m cheating whenever I run a trolley above ground.
The Wikipedia article on the Little Joe is pretty interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Joe_(electric_locomotive)
These engines were originally built for Russia by GE, but they were embargoed before they were shipped. Of the 20 built, 5 ended up in Brazil, 3 on the Chicago South Shore, and the remaining dozen on the Milwaukee. They were re-gauged from the 5-foot Russian gauge, and were nicknamed “Little Joe” after Joseph Stalin.
I have a branchline on a 2% grade ,which is my excuse for wanting one. That and the fact that the Joes operated about 60 miles north of here and I remember the catenary and substations still around in the 60s and 70s when I was in school at WSU.Also when I go to visit family in Montana I drive the route the Milwaukee took thru the mountains from Taft to Missoula.I have also biked the Hiawatha trail from the montana border to Avery ID. Great fun,11 tunnels one 1,1/2 miles long. The price of the model isn’t all that bad considering that its not a high demand loco. I just wonder if I should start building catenary and a substation now or wait til they announce its for sale? BILL
They did make a 4-12-2 that did 22". So it’s possible this will probably do that, maybe even 18.
Hi Bill,
As far as I know, MTH has not offically “announced” the Little Joe, just shown off the prototype. Until they do it will be tough to get info on shipping dates and minimum radius. One tid bit I was able to confirm via e-mail is that the model has remote operating pantographs and couplers.