It seems that all the engins I see from MTH, are too large for their 031 curves. Yes they run, but a 027 lionel looks good
CW
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I thought some of their small switchers are rated for O27.
I typed in a search for Railking RS-3, and one of the first hits: http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-20023-1
Looks like it's rated to run on O27. 
MTH had/has the "Rugged Rails" line of rolling stock. These are "O27" style cars--- I don't know if they are being made anymore. I have seen then on my LHS's shelves, but not lately. I expect that most of the switcher engines will run on O27 track-- especially if it's Atlas O track, which is a true O27(27"center rail to center rail). My minimum curve is O36 on my Atlas layout, O31(Ross) on my tinplate one. hope this helps---
They also made the shorty F-3s and Dash 8's in the 90's. They were good runners.
I'm sure you could find one on ebay.
I found one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MTH-RA...;hash=item27cdba601a
franktrain
MTH still makes the smaller cars in RTR sets. Some cars, although not Rugged Rails labeled, are proportioned to fit in that line. The smaller gondolas with crates are an example. They are in the RTR sets and I've seen them listed as non-RR pieces.
I have a 5 car set of 0-27 MTH Passenger cars for sale on the for sale forum if you are interested.
Most everything MTH makes will operate on O27 track, of course, but not necessarily through tight O27 curves and switches. Most of the small motive power is designated for O31 minimum, I believe, but I have many small (short wheelbase) MTH engines that do (or did when I used O27 track) just fine on O27 curves.
As for the scale of the MTH locomotives and cars: I don't believe I've seen any engines or cars that are quite as small as their counterparts in the Lionel "traditional" line. I have a number of Rugged Rails and a whole lot of RailKing rolling stock, and most are a bit larger/longer than their Lionel or K-Line counterparts.
Allan, the one I posted says it operates in O27 curves. Now, I don't know if they have any current production that does, but I wouldn't bet against it.
Originally Posted by franktrain:
They also made the shorty F-3s and Dash 8's in the 90's. They were good runners.
I'm sure you could find one on ebay.
I found one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MTH-RA...;hash=item27cdba601a
franktrain
I've got a Rugged Rails F3 that came out of a circa 2004 B&O Freight RTR set. A short little thing but has the full PS2 package. It's got about 4K scale miles on it, with not ONE issue. A top notch little engine. I can't say any bad things about it.
Allan - I would suggest moving this thread, if possible to the 3 Rail forum. It doesn't quite fit in the electrical forum IMO.
I have 9 MTH engines, 8 diesels and 1 steamer. All, except the Aerotrain, can handle 27" curves. The biggest one that I own is a GP20 and even it negotiates 27" curves.
I have:
SW15
SW9
GP20
two of those older, smallish F3's
two RS-3's
6-8-6 baby turbine
All of the engines are RK, no premier.
BTW: Rugged Rails is NOT old Railking tooling, I know first hand. I like my 6-8-6 so much that I wanted another one, one that I KNEW could have 27" curves. The engine was "demoted" to Rugged Rails line but I bought it anyways thinking it would be the same. Nope. Different sounds, different tender, etc. Plus, it didn't work out of the box so I returned it.
- walt
