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Video: M.T.H. HO scale class J 4-8-4
M.T.H has done a really good job with this engine. It clearly resembles the real thing. The steam smoke is a nice feature. The N&W class J is a real beautiful engine, and now someone besides broadway limited makes a model of it. I’m a huge N&W fan, so I know that this model is great for any N&W layout set in the steam era. I’ve never heard of N&W ever running a pssenger train named the politanaro, but you never know.
I’m not a huge MTH fan and this J seems to be more for my grandchildren than it is for me. Smoke and voices should really please the little ones but the smoke just chokes me and the same giggles and statements at every stop will get old fast. A button that I would probably never press a scond time. The other thing that I do not like about MTH is that I’m paying for nice little add-ons that I can’t use on my DCC system so I almost feel like I’ve been cheated since I don’t have DCS! But that’s just my thoughts!!
The more I learn about this unit the more it fails to impress. It’s an alright model but it doesn’t follow the prototype as well as I, as a purchaser, believes it should. For a 425 dollar price tag, I would expect such details as shiny pilot wheels, circumference of the driving wheels and axles painted prototypical black, and inaccurate spacing between the loco and the tender improved. As a huge fan of the prototype, I would expect a higher level of accuracy. However, the smoke feature is a bonus. Given the reviews and my own personal opinions of the MTH model, I’ll stick with my BLI.
The more I learn about this unit the more it fails to impress. It’s an alright model but it doesn’t follow the prototype as well as I, as a purchaser, believes it should. For a 425 dollar price tag, I would expect such details as shiny pilot wheels, circumference of the driving wheels and axles painted prototypical black, and inaccurate spacing between the loco and the tender improved. As a huge fan of the prototype, I would expect a higher level of accuracy. However, the smoke feature is a bonus. Given the reviews and my own personal opinions of the MTH model, I’ll stick with my BLI.
Would have liked to see (and hear) it running at speed through the MR&T’s countryside… Maybe the smoke would have looked better churning out of the stack in rapid powerful blasts. Synchronized or not, nothing looks less like steam locomotive exhaust than toy train “smoke” - unless it’s coming out of an American Flyer 332… at full throttle… on a fifty-foot straight…
Actually, this is a really fine model of a beautiful loco. Just put a closer second hole in the drawbar, Mike.
now you fellas are getting me concerned. I have on order a heritage CNW from MTH, but use a MRC Advance system. hope i can use most all the function keys.
now you fellas are getting me concerned. I have on order a heritage CNW from MTH, but use a MRC Advance system. hope i can use most all the function keys.
What are those gaps in the rails in the opening shots of the locomotive?
What are those gaps in the rails in the opening shots of the locomotive?
looks like a nice model and the sounds are nice,but i wish the smoke was thicker or someting.but to me i haven’t seen a "good"smoke unit on any model.i want to see thick black smoke just like the protype.other than that good solid model without the plastic of the others.
Nice looking locomotive. Doubt I would ever use the passenger sequence function, except for running it in a train show. Ditto for the smoke. I have J’s from Samhongsa, PCM (Broadway Limited) and Bachman Spectrum. All of those run well, and I’ve installed Sountraxx in the Spectrum and Samhongsa. I doubt I’ll treat myself to the MTH, but I am alway happy to see anything N&W in steam. I do have a suggestion for MTH - why not make a N&W K-2 class, both wartime and after the was when they were turned into “Baby J’s”. There are a bunch of us out here who would buy those. Also, a good N&W class S or S-1 would be appreciated (and purchased). Just my thoughts.
Nice looking locomotive. Doubt I would ever use the passenger sequence function, except for running it in a train show. Ditto for the smoke. I have J’s from Samhongsa, PCM (Broadway Limited) and Bachman Spectrum. All of those run well, and I’ve installed Sountraxx in the Spectrum and Samhongsa. I doubt I’ll treat myself to the MTH, but I am alway happy to see anything N&W in steam. I do have a suggestion for MTH - why not make a N&W K-2 class, both wartime and after the was when they were turned into “Baby J’s”. There are a bunch of us out here who would buy those. Also, a good N&W class S or S-1 would be appreciated (and purchased). Just my thoughts.
I’ve heard that the MTH units don’t allow you to take full advantage of the functions on a DCC layout; that the only way all the options are available is if you run it on MTH’s proprietary DCS system. For instance, I have a Digitrax Super Chief II system. What limitations could I possibly encounter?
I’ve heard that the MTH units don’t allow you to take full advantage of the functions on a DCC layout; that the only way all the options are available is if you run it on MTH’s proprietary DCS system. For instance, I have a Digitrax Super Chief II system. What limitations could I possibly encounter?
Hi James,
The model does include a deck plate. Unfortunately we didn’t notice that we didn’t have it in place until after the video was complete.
Dana
Hi James,
The model does include a deck plate. Unfortunately we didn’t notice that we didn’t have it in place until after the video was complete.
Dana
Hi Herbert,
The place to ask layout questions would be in the Model Railroader forums. Click on the Forums tab along the top of the screen.
Dana
Hi JP,
I think what you’re seeing is the gaps in the rail where we isolated the turnout frog.
Dana
I Pity the fireman on the footplate.