MTH Milwaukee Baltic 4-6-4 (Hiawatha)

I was waiting to see if anyone would post to your question. I had an MTH Hiawatha but not that particular model that handled 0-54 just fine . You right about their spec's being all over the place. It does say 0-42 in the individual listing and 0-72 in the set. So I looked at the Blue Goose(Same catalog) which has the same wheel arrangement and it's conflicting from what's in the set to the individual engine also 0-54 for the engine 0-72 for the set. All I can guess is because the cars are so long but like you I'd want to know for sure.

David

I have the set but it's still boxed up. No way that engine needs o-72. 

I have a MTH Premier Dreyfuss Husdon (same wheel arrangement and similar in size). 

I have run it on 0-42 and 0-54 with no issues at all.

I have the original, PS-2 version of the MTH Hiawatha 4-6-4. It says 0-54 on the box. I have not personally run mine on less than 0-72 because that's what I have on my test loop at home and that's what our museum has as well. 

It's unlikely that the 18" cars in the set would require a wider radius. Generally, 15" cars take 0-31, 18" take 0-42, and 21" scale streamliners require 0-54. Previous MTH 18" streamlined cars have been advertised for 0-42. 

Sounds to me like a misprint by MTH, unless they have made some significant change to the chassis on this locomotive.

Thanks folks.  Very reassuring input.  Haven't seen a reply from MTH yet.  I'll post it here when they do respond.

Bob:  I do have one of the MTH F-7's, the newest version from a year or so ago and i can tell you that it will negotiate much tighter curves than you'd expect from a large engine.  I'm not sure as to the exact radius or diameter of my curves because I use Gargraves flex track with Ross #4 switches.  The engine is the Premier version, not the Railkink version and it will take curves or about 48" in diameter, a pretty impressive performance for a 4-6-4 full size engine.

You can feel comfortable that this engine will work on your layout.

Paul Fischer

Thanks Paul.  MTH confirms.  They responded as follows:

Again, thanks to all who responded.