Driver size for MTH ATSF 3460 Class Locomotives

Well, the real locomotives had 84 inch diameter drive wheels, however I have no idea what MTH used on the model. My guess would be their standard "80" driver" size from other models.

Hot Water posted:

Well, the real locomotives had 84 inch diameter drive wheels, however I have no idea what MTH used on the model. My guess would be their standard "80" driver" size from other models.

Thanks Hot Water... That's pretty much all I needed to know, it's more than close enough for me ... I'll have to get one now  

The MTH Premier model of the 3460 class has 80" scale drivers. I measured my models. I have both the class leader 3460 as well as 3463. I like them quite a bit and they run well. 3463 is one of my favorite locomotives that I own. The adjustable stack is one of the best details on the locomotive. I usually leave it in the up position. 

I took me quite a bit of searching to find 3463. The MTH 3460 class locomotives (besides the "Blue Goose") don't come up for sale very often. 

Lou1985 posted:

The MTH Premier model of the 3460 class has 80" scale drivers. I measured my models. I have both the class leader 3460 as well as 3463. I like them quite a bit and they run well. 3463 is one of my favorite locomotives that I own. The adjustable stack is one of the best details on the locomotive. I usually leave it in the up position. 

I took me quite a bit of searching to find 3463. The MTH 3460 class locomotives (besides the "Blue Goose") don't come up for sale very often. 

 

Thanks A LOT Lou! This really helps me make my decision IN FAVOR OF buying one of the MTH Santa Fe 4-6-4s. 

may I say, those sure are a fine pair of gals there Lou!

Thanks, David

If you really want scale drivers on your steam models you will have to go Proto-48.  Even we 2-railers must compromise sometimes.  Northerns are the most difficult. Your blind drivers help a bit with the spacing and size, but most of us will not put up with blind drivers except on some PRR models.

I think MTH has taken serious liberties with driver sizes and cylinder shapes, so things will go around 3-rail corners.

bob2 posted:

If you really want scale drivers on your steam models you will have to go Proto-48.  Even we 2-railers must compromise sometimes.  Northerns are the most difficult. Your blind drivers help a bit with the spacing and size, but most of us will not put up with blind drivers except on some PRR models.

I think MTH has taken serious liberties with driver sizes and cylinder shapes, so things will go around 3-rail corners.

Mr. Turner. You are wasting your breath on the 3-Rail folks. Anyone that would purchase a Daylight painted cab forward is beyond reasoning with, in my opinion.

Hot Water posted:

bob2 posted:

If you really want scale drivers on your steam models you will have to go Proto-48.  Even we 2-railers must compromise sometimes.  Northerns are the most difficult. Your blind drivers help a bit with the spacing and size, but most of us will not put up with blind drivers except on some PRR models.

I think MTH has taken serious liberties with driver sizes and cylinder shapes, so things will go around 3-rail corners.

Mr. Turner. You are wasting your breath on the 3-Rail folks. Anyone that would purchase a Daylight painted cab forward is beyond reasoning with, in my opinion.

I wouldn't purchase a Daylight cab forward. It's not prototypical at all. I run 3 rail stuff because I can get scale sized O models to run in my limited space. I'd love to go with 2 rail but I don't have the room. So I put up with some blind drivers, 072 curves, and the rest of the limitations. I only buy stuff that existed in real life. So I guess I'm hi-rail with a prototype bent.

OP the 3460 class are big Hudsons. They are noticeably larger than the NYC Hudson most 3 rail guys are familiar with. Here's a MTH Premier 3460 class Hudson next to a Premier Santa Fe 5011 class Texas. 

Lou1985 posted:

OP the 3460 class are big Hudsons. They are noticeably larger than the NYC Hudson most 3 rail guys are familiar with. Here's a MTH Premier 3460 class Hudson next to a Premier Santa Fe 5011 class Texas. 

Such a Beautiful Duo... Thank you Lou

 It probably doesn’t have all the features of an MTH. Pecos River Brass made these in 3 rail years ago. I don’t know much about them, but have seen them for sale once in a while. Seeing they were offered in 2 rail I’m guessing they were pretty accurate to the prototype. I did a Forum search and there was a good thread on adding DCC to a 3 rail version.

Dave_C posted:

 It probably doesn’t have all the features of an MTH. Pecos River Brass made these in 3 rail years ago. I don’t know much about them, but have seen them for sale once in a while. Seeing they were offered in 2 rail I’m guessing they were pretty accurate to the prototype. I did a Forum search and there was a good thread on adding DCC to a 3 rail version.

The PRB is a model of the earlier, smaller 3450 class: 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_class_3450

The MTH model is the later, larger 3460 class:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_class_3460

OP here's what the PS2 3V version sounds like:

https://ogrforum.com/...90#82945629725419890

      A couple a pictures of my Pecos River Brass 3-rail ATSF 3450 Class "Little Hudson."

                             Its' going up for sale on the forum next week.......

Why not take a measurement across the MTH driver for the OP?  84" ought to scale out to 1 3/4".

bob2 posted:

Why not take a measurement across the MTH driver for the OP?  84" ought to scale out to 1 3/4".

I did earlier in the post. Driver diameter is about 1.67", which translates to about 80" scale. So the drivers are a scale 4" short.

Already been enough said, I guess, but I'll say it anyway.

I have the MTH 3463. Beautiful, and the drivers are a bit too small, but that is not uncommon in all model steamers, all scales. It varies, but, unless you are in "Proto:" world, all model flanges are oversized to some degree. I learned this way back in 1960 or so from reading MR road tests. This can lead to undersized drivers, even on "scale" locos. The MTH loco is gorgeous. It's a Hudson (Santa Fe did not use the term, I do believe), so that's an advantage right there. 4-6-4 symmetry. I have told my NYC J1's and J3's to play nice with the big ATSF guy, and don't mention the funny-looking stack. Not polite.

The 3560-class of ATSF 4-6-4's were the prototype for the Lionel PW 2055 (etc.) small Hudson. Excusing the NYC-based smokebox front, the PW tooling is actually a good, crisp representation of the ATSF loco.

Since my childhood loco was a 2055, I had to get this MTH scale version, no doubt. Jumped on it when it first came out, even though I run TMCC. The two look interesting next to each other.