MTH C628'S

Greg - rumor had it that the MTH Railking C628's were made from Weaver's tooling. I dont know if that is true or not. While I don't have any of these 628s in my collection, I have quite a number of Railking scale diesels like their Trainmasters, RS3's and RS1's. I don't think you'd be disappointed with it's running characteristics nor the detail. I am planning to buy a couple out of the latest catalog for our collection. 

Thanks for the info. Railking Scale really has some nice diesels. I own a Railking Scale Trainmaster and she's a beauty. I was thinking about picking up a few newer ones as well.

Greg

MTH has previously made these locos in RailKing Scale, they were equipped with smoke, and the usual railking features. They pull well, but actually were too large for my test track, which is an 8' by 4' layout. On our club layout they look great and run extremely well on DCS. I imagine that with Protosounds 3.0 it will have more features and better sound. I have a Lehigh Valley Hudson with Proto 3, it ran OK on my home layout in conventional, but with DCS on our club layout it really came to life. I realize that LV didn't have any Hudsons, but I ran it with some 15" Pullman cars, and it looked great. One of my better purchases, and that's from a diehard postwar guy. 

I have one, Norfolk and Western, from a few years ago - I believe the last time they were cataloged in PS 2, 2008/09. This is a wonderful engine, run great, looks even better, and has size and detail to hold up with my premier fleet.

Shortly after I bought this I started going all premier, there have been a couple Railking Scale purchases, but we're talking less than 1 in 10, point being I have kept this C628 and would buy another one, it is really super. You will be very happy.

i can try and post some photos tomorrow if the sun comes out.

I have the C628's and the C630's from when Weaver was doing them. They were good pullers then, still are. MTH acquired the tooling but I think at the time Weaver and Mike went in on the tooling together. I could be wrong on that. I added QSI sound systems to them. I run them in pairs...............................Paul

I pre-ordered the Lehigh Valley version out of the new catalog. I have some RK Scale Train Masters, RS-1s, GP-9s and SD-9s. I think they are the best value in O gauge. This will be my first Alco Century series engine in O. I had a few years ago when I was in N gauge.

You will not be disappointed. The MTH 628/630 are from weaver tolling with minor changes. I own 4 weavers (2 C628 & 2 C630s)and 1 MTH C628. The shells(C628 &C630), frames, motors and running gear are interchangeable with MTH. I upgraded 3 Weavers (N&W/SP C630/SCL C628) to PS2&PS3 and swapped The MTH SF C628 shell onto a Weaver frame and running gear, two of which Conrail and SF C628 are now listed in the for sale forum.The MTH only released the C628 not the C630. 

The important thing to understand about the MTH C-628 is that the shell is for the C-630.  The main spotting difference is the squarish area (Inter-cooler) of the the hood behind the cab.  On the C-628 this area is even with the rest of the hood.  MTH did modify some of the detail on the inter-cooler box to make it look more like a C-628.

C-628

C-630

Stuart

Here are pics of Actual C628 and C630 and Weaver/ MTH models

Things to note on Weaver SCL C628 and MTH SFC628 you will note shells are the same. Weaver SP and N&W C630 shells are different from the C628. Prototypically N&W had high hoods and SP and ACL/SCL had horns mounted on the upper right side and had lights in the nose in addition to high mount on the cab. 

The main spotting difference is the squarish area (Inter-cooler) of the the hood behind the cab.  On the C-628 this area is even with the rest of the hood.  MTH did modify some of the detail on the inter-cooler box to make it look more like a C-628.

Actually, Weaver Models did this prior to selling the molds to MTH.

For the price, the RK scale loco is ok. However if looks are important to you, find the Atlas O versions, they are right on the $$!

I agree about the Atlas C628 detail Attached shows the level of detail. My only issue is the low hood is only offered with lights and without lights in their parts section but they do not offer a high hood as in their SD/GP 35s. It would have been nice when MTH reissued the C628 in PS3 that they also had reengineered the shell with lights in the low hood version or at least offered a RK Imperial Scale or premier version. Something that would had given me a good reason to buy. other wise I am happy with my weaver upgrades since they are in the roads I want. The only thing is that both MTH and Weaver are guilty of is that ATSF never owned Alcoa C628/C630/C636

WOW,

Thanks to everyone who replied for the help! I now know that the C628 will be my next purchase! 

Greg

www.youtube.com/trainbros89

Check out TommyZ's video of mu'd LV Snowbirds.

I also have the MTH Railking LV PS2 versions in both red and white.  I like them especially for the price.  Yes, the Atlas-O versions have much more fine detail, but the initial price is much steeper than the RK.  However, if you're patient and don't necessarily need new, you might find these Atlas models at or below half price on one of the secondary auction sites.  Lately and for whatever the reason, Atlas engines and rolling stock seem to have depreciated greatly from their initial street prices.