I'm considering ordering one of these and would like the experts out there to comment on how accurate this model is to the real thing and if one paint scheme was more popular than the other?
Thanks
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The MTH Pennsy Centipede is a pretty accurate model. The nose area right around the headlight is not quite correct for PRR but overall the model is a good one. I have the Proto-1 version (converted to TMCC) and it is a good runner and strong puller.
I'm not sure what you mean with your paint scheme question. The Centipedes were designed for passenger service and all were delivered in the 5-stripe scheme. After a few unsuccessful years in passenger service, they were assigned to pusher duty over Horseshoe Curve. They were all repainted in the single stripe scheme for this assignment.
I'm not sure what you mean with your paint scheme question. The Centipedes were designed for passenger service and all were delivered in the 5-stripe scheme. After a few unsuccessful years in passenger service, they were assigned to pusher duty over Horseshoe Curve. They were all repainted in the single stripe scheme for this assignment.
I just got mine yesterday. These have been out for about 3 or 4 weeks. I asked for opinions,likes,dislikes,photos,etc from the forum but only got 1 reply. An issue I think is strange is that the trainphone antenna is on the trailing unit and not the lead unit. I dont think this is correct. Maybe someone out there could enlighten me on whether this is right or not. I also have a proto1 version and I do believe that the antenna is on the lead unit. I even think that the 1st run of the proto 2 centipedes had the antenna on the lead unit. Before I call MTH, what do you guys say about this. Where is the antenna on the Lionels?
There is also a loud smoke fan. 3 out of 4 are quiet. Maybe this will quiet down in time.
3rd issue is that the rear truck of the trailing unit was jumping off the rail on 082 curves. I have played around with the truck and got it to stay on the rails.
Other than the above issues, they are rather sweet,nice paint,nice sounds(horn)(engine sounds seem a little annoying....I think only 4 notches)
I also noticed the cab lights turn off when the engines start to move.
jini5,
I have seen photos of the prototypes being run either way when it comes to the antenna.
A friend purchased a set and I noticed that after being lubricated (including where the front and trailing trucks pivot on the frame), everything worked better and would no longer "stick" as they originally did out of the box.
I was kind of hoping the 5-stripe versions would have passenger station announcements but they have freight yard sounds like the single stripe version.
The cab lights are supposed to turn off when the engines move. This is a feature of Proto-Sound 3.0. Lionel's do this as well.
Bill, I thought that was the case with the cab lights. I also noticed when looking at the "info" feature on DCS that it shows as "low battery". I assume this is because proto 3 has no battery.
Does ANYONE out there have the rundown on whether or not MTH produced the 20-20232-1 Centipede in Great Northern livery? It's listed on the MTH website, bit there's no picture... and it wasn't catalog'd either. 
I've asked MTH about this through their "contact us" form on the website, but haven't received a response yet. Also have a dealer checking into it, but zilch... zip... nada. 
I'm thinking at this point it might have been cancelled, but if anyone has heard anything please chime in. Thx...
David
| Centipede AA Diesel Set with Proto-Sound 3.0 - Pennsylvania (5 Stripes) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Centipede AA Diesel Set with Proto-Sound 3.0 - Pennsylvania (5 Stripes) No one who has ever seen a profile of the Centipede cannot doubt where the engine got its nickname. With 12 axles under each A unit, the enormous Baldwin-built engine is easy to identify. Seaboard Air Line took delivery of its first Centipede, #4500, in 1945. This fast and powerful engine allowed SAL with its twisting, curving lines to compete with its local rival, Atlantic Coast Line, which had far flatter and straighter track to maneuver. Although SAL's Centipedes were bought primarily to head up heavy, fast freight runs speeding fresh Florida produce to northern markets, they were sometimes pressed into passenger service. Maintenance - especially of each unit's 96 brake shoes and 40 brake cylinders - proved too expensive to continue for long, and the Centipedes were retired in 1957, after having been assigned to service in Florida for their last few years. Did You Know: The Union Pacific assigned roadnumbers to their Centipede engines but then abrubtly cancelled their order at the last minute. Baldwin then used those engines in their demonstrator paint scheme, taking the engine on the road to solicit other railroad's interest. Features 1:48 Scale Proportions Directionally Controlled Headlights Intricately Detailed ABS Bodies Metal Wheels, Axles and Gears Die-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank (2) Remotely Controlled Proto-Couplersr Metal Chassis (2) Precision Flywheel Equipped Motors In Each A Unit Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments Lighted Cab Interiors Illuminated Number Boards Lighted Marker Lights (2) Engineer Cab Figures In Each A Unit Moveable Roof Fan Blades Metal Body Side Grilles (2) Operating Smoke Units Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring: Freight Yard Proto-Effects Unit Measures:46" x 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" Operates On O-72 Curves Diesel DCC Features Headlight Bell Whistle/Horn Start Up/Shut Down Rear Coupler Front Coupler Engine Sounds On/Off Sound Volume Ditch Lights Auto/On/Off Forward Signal Reverse Signal Grade Crossing Signal Cab Light On/Off Extended Start Up Extended Shut Down Rev Up Rev Down Coupler Slack Sound Coupler Close One-Shot Doppler Feature Reset Idle Sequence 1 Idle Sequence 2 Idle Sequence 3 Brakes Auto/Off Cab Chatter Auto/Off Clickety-Clack Auto/Off
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Rocky Mountaineer,
I suggest you call MTH tomorrow and talk to Rich Foster concerning the Great Northern Centipedes.
Here's a shot I took of one of the derated Centipedes in helper service on the Curve. I was on I think the Duquesne going one way and it was moving upgrade. Lew Schneider
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Images (1)
Lew...I love that picture!!
Alan
Originally Posted by jini5:
Bill, I thought that was the case with the cab lights. I also noticed when looking at the "info" feature on DCS that it shows as "low battery". I assume this is because proto 3 has no battery.
I believe so, jini5.
Lewis. Thanks for the picture. Very nice.
Really appreciate the pic Lewis!
No clue why the Seaboard unit wasn't offered, being there were VERY FEW RRs that owned it 
Originally Posted by jini5:
An issue I think is strange is that the trainphone antenna is on the trailing unit and not the lead unit. I dont think this is correct. Maybe someone out there could enlighten me on whether this is right or not.
The Pennsy Centipede's were connected by a drawbar and were run as married pairs. The Trainphone antenna was only needed on one unit because of this.
Rusty
Originally Posted by mountain482:
Originally Posted by jini5:
Bill, I thought that was the case with the cab lights. I also noticed when looking at the "info" feature on DCS that it shows as "low battery". I assume this is because proto 3 has no battery.
I believe so, jini5.
Doesn't the "low bat" on the DCS refer to the DCS controller battery being low?
Stuart
Originally Posted by jim sutter:
Rocky Mountaineer,
I suggest you call MTH tomorrow and talk to Rich Foster concerning the Great Northern Centipedes.
Jim,
Many thanks!!! I did speak with Rich Foster today, and he indicated the Great Northern (done up in the Glacier Park green/orange paint scheme) might be part of a future run of Centipedes. So just the Pennsy's were shipped recently.
I was glad enough that he took my call directly, so I didn't want to hold him to specifics. But I got the impression we might see another run of Centipedes, since the current run of Pennsy's is selling so well -- sort of like what was done with the GE EVO Hybrid in multiple production runs. And if it's actually catalog'd the next time, it would help gauge more interest from dealer orders. Whether or not the Great Northern ever had these is irrelevant to me... I'm enough of a fan of Great Northern that I think this would be a terrific looking model in Glacier Park green/orange. If it makes it into production, I'll take one! 
David
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by jini5:
An issue I think is strange is that the trainphone antenna is on the trailing unit and not the lead unit. I dont think this is correct. Maybe someone out there could enlighten me on whether this is right or not.
The Pennsy Centipede's were connected by a drawbar and were run as married pairs. The Trainphone antenna was only needed on one unit because of this.
Rusty
Rusty, I know that the antenna were only on 1 unit but I was thinking that the antenna was supposed to be on the lead unit. I am still wondering if MTH got it wrong. As stated earlier my proto 1 set has the antenna on the lead unit.
If you want the lead unit to have the trainphone antenna, make the one with the antenna the lead unit. Not a problem. The units can run in either direction. Just run with the slave unit as the lead unit.
Originally Posted by jini5:
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by jini5:
An issue I think is strange is that the trainphone antenna is on the trailing unit and not the lead unit. I dont think this is correct. Maybe someone out there could enlighten me on whether this is right or not.
The Pennsy Centipede's were connected by a drawbar and were run as married pairs. The Trainphone antenna was only needed on one unit because of this.
Rusty
Rusty, I know that the antenna were only on 1 unit but I was thinking that the antenna was supposed to be on the lead unit. I am still wondering if MTH got it wrong. As stated earlier my proto 1 set has the antenna on the lead unit.
There was no "rule" on the Pennsy that the lead unit had to be the one with the antenna.
Rusty
Originally Posted by Bob Delbridge:
No clue why the Seaboard unit wasn't offered, being there were VERY FEW RRs that owned it
I have the MTH Seaboard A-A Centipede set from a few years ago in exactly this paint scheme. It is a really nice looking set. Was it not reissued? Maybe it will be reissued in the future.
Originally Posted by Stuart:
Originally Posted by mountain482:
Originally Posted by jini5:
Bill, I thought that was the case with the cab lights. I also noticed when looking at the "info" feature on DCS that it shows as "low battery". I assume this is because proto 3 has no battery.
I believe so, jini5.
Doesn't the "low bat" on the DCS refer to the DCS controller battery being low?
Stuart
If the remote batteries are low, "BAT" will be displayed on the screen no matter what engine is being controlled. I believe what he is referring to is the charging circuit message when a capacitor is installed.
Well after wanting a set of these for the last 7 years, I finally got a set of the 20-20231-1 centipedes. No layout to run them yet but I have the centipedes.
Originally Posted by 3rdrailMike:
Well after wanting a set of these for the last 7 years, I finally got a set of the 20-20231-1 centipedes. No layout to run them yet but I have the centipedes.
Mike - send them to Indy and I will send back some great pictures - kind of like "lend-lease".....
Sorry Steve, I guess these are kind of like a C&O Texan.
Originally Posted by 3rdrailMike:
Sorry Steve, I guess these are kind of like a C&O Texan.
ugh! You had to bring that up! I wonder how MINE is doing?
Scott says it is running well in Roanoke.
