MTH Premier Blue Comets & One More Thing...

Thomas,
I can`t answer most of your questions, but if I were buying a locomotive with PSI, I would beware because MTH doesn`t support if fully. If you have problems, parts are scarce.

Well Schumann, I did think that would be the case. But thanks for letting me know.

Thomas, I can't offer any 1st hand experience, as I don't own any of the versions, but as for cab number info, this is what I believe to be the case:

1998- #20-3028-1, Proto-1 version is cab #833

2006- #20-3255-1, Proto-2 version, separate sale engine is cab #831

2006- #20-3259-1E, Proto-2 version, engine contained in boxed set is cab #832

Hope this helps.

I am hoping MTH heeds the information I have passed to them about lettering. If they do, the next run will be the most accurate loco. The cars, of course, will be generic.

Rob

Thanks Steve, it does help quite a lot.

Hi Thomas,

I own both the 1998 and 2006 versions. There are a fair number of detail changes in both the locomotives and cars between to production runs. I'm not at home right now, so I can't go look at the engines, but to the best of my recollection here are the differences.

Yes, the 2006 version had chains on the tender trucks. The 2006's also have a different boiler face with scale, non-functional, hinges and opening tender hatches that conceal the PS2 volume and smoke controls. The sound and speed control of the PS2 version is far superior to 1998 PS1. The next release will include PS3, a tender deck plate, wireless drawbar.

The 2006 passenger cars were one of the first sets delivered with the higher detailed passenger trucks with functional coil and leaf springs. This is both good and bad. The good is that the trucks really are visually superior. The spring detail is nice and they have concealed coupler release tabs instead of "thumb tacks." The bad is that the first batch of cars with the new trucks has a design flaw. The ground wire attachment hangs too low and can snag the break in the center rail on switches. It's pretty easy to fix the problem, and MTH changed the design in later runs. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 2006 cars, but I would be sure to fix the ground wire mount before running them. In addition to the trucks, the 2006 cars also have more detailed diaphragms with tension rods. An RPO car was offered in 2006, which was not available in 1998. The next set of cars should have the same level of detail as the 2006 cars, but with the corrected truck wiring.

Thanks much, Dave~

I think I can settle with the 2006 4 car set this April, provided I can afford it.

Also, about the 2006 Premier version, did the feedwater tank at the top of the engine come out differently than the 1998 version did? Just curious since I've heard it was different, though the 2011 version in the catalog looks more like the 1998 version.

Well Based on MTH 's announcement concerning American steam ,I'd say their next version will be  the Ka-Blewy Comet.
Kinda like the Ka-Blewy Goose.

David

Parts for the PS-1 Comet are available. 

I hope so David, and hopefully it looks as good as it is in the catalog.

Mikado, I'm not sure if this helps you, but these photos of my 1998 Blue Comet may show you enough of the feedwater tank to assist you in your decision.

Frank

Thanks Frank~

That does look like the one in the 2011 Vol.2 catalog, and I think I saw the 2006 one's feedwater and it looked too tall...