Are the ss sp mt-4 and GS-4 good runners

I have one of the Sunset 3rd rail GS-4's.I have about 8 hours of running on it.It's an excellent runner so far and I expect it to smooth out even better once it's really broken in.The paint,detail and fit/finish is superb.I have a dozen 3rd rail locomotives and have been very happy with these purchases.

Ricky

Hello fgroza...........

If the GS-4 and mt-4 has the latest "quiet drive" belt driven gearbox from Sunset then it will be super smooth engine once you put in few hours of run time on it.  I say this with having a lot of faith now on mine Sunset 3 rd S.F. 5011 2-10-4 i got last month and put in about 10 hours of run time on it so far.  I put in fresh Red & Tacky #2 and it made it smoother.  It really blew me away in how smooth it is.  I believe this drive system that sunset uses on their engines now is the best gearboxes because i had brass locomotives in the 1980's (westside models, key imports, early sunset(worse gearboxes),PFM and hallmark models) they all needed a gearbox upgrade and better motors.  I am really happy with the Sunset 3rd engine i have now. If you decided to get a GS-4 or mt-4 from Sunset 3rd rail, you won't be disappointed with the "quiet drive system". I hope this helps........

the woman who loves the S.F.5011

Tiffany

Frank, I have the MT-4 in both black and Daylight versions and haven't had an issue with either one.  They run great, but then again I haven't loaded them up with that many cars to bring on slipping issues.  Now I'm curious about anyone else's experience if that is what you heard.   The GS-4 is absolutely gorgeous and far more detailed than the MT-4 in my opinion.   I just haven't had a chance to run mine yet.  I did see Hot Water's run and it ran and sounded awesome!  I'm sure he'll be chiming in on this post as he probably has the most experience with these models out of anyone, although his may have been the MT-5.  

I'm completely satisfied with my GS-4 Daylight. The details are fantastic, great sound, and a very smooth runner.

I got my SP MT-5 out this afternoon and handled a 25 car PFE reefer train, and didn't have any problems at all.

That's what I want to hear! Slipping may be due to uneven track. All I have to do is find one now, in black 3 rail.

Frank

Good luck, as they came out much more than a year ago, maybe 2 or 3 years ago.

I have a 2 rail one located. Would  prefer 3 rail

Frank

Frank, did you ever see this write-up on the MT-4?

http://www.3rdrail.com/images/SPMT-OGR.pdf

Yes I did.

hello audidriven.........

Was there a write-up on the S.F. 5011 ?   I surely would like to read about it 

the woman who love the S.F. 5011

Tiffany

Sorry Tiffany, but that engine came out quite a while before I entered this hobby so I don't know.  Maybe someone else will chime in.  

As to the MT4 "slipping" perhaps this is the answer.  One of mine "lurched" down the track.

The cause was a loose flywheel on the motor with the the timing strip that is read by the optical sensor to provide the EOB or constant track speed.  Sorta like an auto engine loosing it's timing.  Simple fix. Tighten the set screw in the flywheel. 

This is not a problem unique to SS 3Rd Rail.  I have seen this with other MFGr's who use optical flywheel sensor technology to provide constant train control feedback.

Somebody plesae correct me if I'm wrong,  But, I think that the SS 3rd Rail 3 Rail GS-4 now uses the Electric RR Co electronics.  The ERR cruise has electronic rather than optical feedback and control so the flywheel/optical sensor problem is eliminated.

I have the 2 rail version of the SS GS-4.  As with most brass 2 rail engines at this time it didn't come with electronics.  It's straight DC.  I will be adding DCC to it.  But anyway it is a very smooth running engine.  Typical of SS engines with the Quiet Drive that Scott started using years back.  I feel fortunate to have it. 

You are correct that the GS-4 in 3 rail does have ERR cruise.