Lionel VS. MTH: EMD SD70ACe

Which one is which?

To each his own. Personally, I like the MTH SD70Ace better. It has more realistic start-up and prime mover sounds. A better semi-gloss paint finish. I know they're all shinny when painted. The MTH body reflects changes in early and later production with the rear walkway light and sand filler positions. The front coupler does'nt stick out like a battering ram. I'm more of a G.E. fan, but I have six of these SD70Aces. In my opinion MTH made a nice model  and the price wasn't bad either......... 

Watched some of your reviews videos...nicely done. Here is my latest Premier SD70ACE

http://mthtrains.com/22-20523-2

Stifling,

        I own three SD70ACe NS Heritage units all Lionel.  Some friends at the BDSME in Bethlehem have MTH. Both are nice but I am a Lionel guy.

JohnB

I have seen both models up close and I have to say MTH is far superior. I have both NS SD70ACe in Premier and Railking Imperial (now renamed and renumbered to an SD40AC #3251) and both are amazing. The sounds, features, and the overall look is better than Lionel. But, then again I am biased because I only model MTH.

Subway..what is a SD40AC?

I posted a similar question several months ago, comparing the Lionel and MTH versions of the Rio Grande Heritage diesel. You may find some useful comments on this thread: SD70 Comparison

After reading the comments and comparing the two engines, I sold the MTH and kept the Lionel (I normally have a bias in favor of MTH, as I like DCS better than Legacy). The two main reasons for this decision were the body/truck gap, as pointed out in several responses, and the sound. I have no idea which is more prototypical, but the MTH engine had a very annoying whine and the Lionel was just more pleasant to listen to. Also I liked the colors on the Lionel a little bit better, but the difference is so subtle that you don't notice it unless the two are side by side.

II have 10 of the MTH SD70ACe units -- Demonstrator 1 (hi-rail/proto-2), Caterpillar 1201 demonstrator (scale/proto-3), Bush 4141 (scale/proto-3), ATSF "Isle of Denial" (scale/proto-2), UP/MKT (scale/proto-3), UP/CNW (scale/proto-2), UP/WP (scale/proto-2), UP/DRGW (scale/proto-2), UP/SP (scale/proto-2), and UP/MP (scale/proto-2). They've all had great sound, especially the start-up sequence. They all run well individually and when consisted with other locomotives. One of our club members has a couple of Lionel TMCC/Legacy UP Heritage Units and they also sound great, but the start-up sequence isn't as good. One thing that I noticed with the Lionel units is that they like using dual speakers which produce better sound quality. I don't know if they're stereo, series or parallel, but they sound great. This is one place where I think MTH seems to have cut corners -- the speaker. I've acquired several full-range speakers I plan to test out which I plan to use as replacements.

As to which locomotive to buy, that's just a matter of which command system you like and which locomotive offering you're after.

MTH wins hands down on the paint. Lionel is way to glossy, also MTH has lights in their none powered model and is a hundred or so less expensive on the powered Lionel unit.

I have SD Diesels from Both Lionel and MTH. No preference here LOVE them BOTH

AGHRMatt posted:

I have 10 of the MTH SD70ACe units -- Demonstrator 1 (hi-rail/proto-2), Caterpillar 1201 demonstrator (scale/proto-3), Bush 4141 (scale/proto-3), ATSF "Isle of Denial" (scale/proto-2), UP/MKT (scale/proto-3), UP/CNW (scale/proto-2), UP/WP (scale/proto-2), UP/DRGW (scale/proto-2), UP/SP (scale/proto-2), and UP/MP (scale/proto-2).

"ATSF "Isle of Denial" (scale/proto-2)"

Keep the faith Matt!

I wish this color scheme would be presented in ATSF SD70ACe.

Regards,

Swafford 

I have 8 MTH SD70's. Nicer paint on MTH imo and I only run DCS

I love all the input here! Lots of great replies to this. Thanks for getting in on this everyone! 

I do not care for diesels at all. Just ask my buddies in the train club. Consider me as a hostile witness.

That said, I have the same MTH SD70ACe 4141 and the MTH N&W Heritage ES44AC. They look great and run great. In consist, they will pull more cars than I can fit on the club layout. While I'm not inclined to buy more from anyone, these two are "keepers".

Not a thing wrong with steam at all! I'd have more it they were not to much money. The only "real" one I have is an Erie 0-8-8-0 "Angus" 

Swafford posted:

I wish this color scheme would be presented in ATSF SD70ACe.

Regards,

Swafford 

I'm with you on this one Frank. Maybe I'll dig up a BNSF and "correct" it.

willygee posted:

Which one is which?

4141 is mth .....1982 is lionel .really like the horn on the 1982.while im an mth guy,i wouldnt have any thing with bush painted on it. -Jim