These are such wonderful locomotives I wonder why MTH hasn't addressed the snowplow issue where the MU hoses don't even come close to coming out as they should?
Anyone with some insight? I've sent a message to them awaiting response.
Chuck
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These are such wonderful locomotives I wonder why MTH hasn't addressed the snowplow issue where the MU hoses don't even come close to coming out as they should?
Anyone with some insight? I've sent a message to them awaiting response.
Chuck
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I believe only the GE's have the better looking mu hoses?
On those, you can cut the opening wider towards the center and bottom to allow the hoses to sit better.
The EMDs that I have, have the older fatter hoses that don't flex well. I wouldn't bother trying to make fit. You need to replace those with aftermarket ones.
I believe MTH should equip their engines with better snow plows now. Look at posts here on the OGR to see how they've done it.
I was thinking someone said MTH had fixed this problem, guess not? I just got out a new ES44AC (#20-20285-1) a week or so ago and while it has more flexible hoses the plow still doesn't fit with the hoses either in or out and it seems to also render the coupler cut bar useless. Would be interested in hearing what they tell you about it, please post back with your reply from MTH. Seems like sometimes these are installable and fit and sometimes not? I'll have to look to see which ones I have with an installable plow? I am not sure any of them fit with the hoses going through the plow openings though?
Also, a bit off subject (could possibly be related?), but does anyone know where the 2 small wire objects in the small plastic bag included with this engine are supposed to go? They kind of look like grab irons to me, but I can't figure out what they are for? I am prototypically challenged so go easy on me here.
I was thinking someone said MTH had fixed this problem, guess not? I just got out a new ES44AC (#20-20285-1) a week or so ago and while it has more flexible hoses the plow still doesn't fit with the hoses either in or out and it seems to also render the coupler cut bar useless. Would be interested in hearing what they tell you about it, please post back with your reply from MTH. Seems like sometimes these are installable and fit and sometimes not? I'll have to look to see which ones I have with an installable plow? I am not sure any of them fit with the hoses going through the plow openings though?
Also, a bit off subject (could possibly be related?), but does anyone know where the 2 small wire objects in the small plastic bag included with this engine are supposed to go? They kind of look like grab irons to me, but I can't figure out what they are for? I am prototypically challenged so go easy on me here.
I think you will find those parts are grab irons that attach to the end of the radiator wing and the end of the long hood.
On the issue of MU hoses and snowplows, pretty much all the newer diesels, including EMD models, have the finer hoses, but the place where they are mounted on the pilot is still out of line with the plow.
There was a time when MTH listened to us about these things and often fixed them. I don't think that's the case any longer. The days of newly-tooled diesels, upgrades of older models to better trucks and fixed pilots, and these kinds of detail improvements are pretty much behind us.
RM
What I do not understand if you are worried about the plow and hoses, why are you not complaining about the handrails? "Handrails-on-a-stick"!
Even the Alco's, the handrails are built to 3 rail specks, under the frame mounting!
Premier mth is nothing more than 3 rail bodies with "scale" wheels and 2-railers are suckered into thinking they are gettin good 2-rail quality product. Mth does not care about 2-railers expectations as this has been proven over the years. just the way it is! Stephen
Look at posts here on the OGR to see how they've done it.
Thanks Engineer-Joe I looked at that thread and it had good info. If we want to do the mu hoses I wonder if it has to be the Atlas GP-35 ones? Those are not available on the Atlas web site.
The other part he mentions is the Berkshire Valley air hose. He calls
it Part #314 but what I find is Part #164-314. That must be it. The chain that would hold the air hose is Precision Scale Part #48472.
So we need to find some replacement mu hoses when the Atlas GP35 ones aren't available? Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Chuck
Try the PSC ones. #56198 plastic or 56197 brass. I ordered them to see. I don't know if they're the longer ones for going thru the plow.
What I do not understand if you are worried about the plow and hoses, why are you not complaining about the handrails? "Handrails-on-a-stick"!
Even the Alco's, the handrails are built to 3 rail specks, under the frame mounting!
Premier mth is nothing more than 3 rail bodies with "scale" wheels and 2-railers are suckered into thinking they are gettin good 2-rail quality product. Mth does not care about 2-railers expectations as this has been proven over the years. just the way it is! Stephen
Wow. Look what I found!!
Hand rail stations:
http://pdhobbyshop.com/show_pr...0Scale&start=401
So you could upgrade them yourself.
I thought we were discussing the snowplow hose issue??????????????????????????
I was thinking someone said MTH had fixed this problem, guess not? I just got out a new ES44AC (#20-20285-1) a week or so ago and while it has more flexible hoses the plow still doesn't fit with the hoses either in or out and it seems to also render the coupler cut bar useless. Would be interested in hearing what they tell you about it, please post back with your reply from MTH. Seems like sometimes these are installable and fit and sometimes not? I'll have to look to see which ones I have with an installable plow? I am not sure any of them fit with the hoses going through the plow openings though?
Also, a bit off subject (could possibly be related?), but does anyone know where the 2 small wire objects in the small plastic bag included with this engine are supposed to go? They kind of look like grab irons to me, but I can't figure out what they are for? I am prototypically challenged so go easy on me here.
I think you will find those parts are grab irons that attach to the end of the radiator wing and the end of the long hood.
On the issue of MU hoses and snowplows, pretty much all the newer diesels, including EMD models, have the finer hoses, but the place where they are mounted on the pilot is still out of line with the plow.
There was a time when MTH listened to us about these things and often fixed them. I don't think that's the case any longer. The days of newly-tooled diesels, upgrades of older models to better trucks and fixed pilots, and these kinds of detail improvements are pretty much behind us.
RM
Thanks, I looked around the engine, but my eyes are not too good any more and didn't see where they might fit on the engine. Will look again in the spots you mentioned.
I have noticed the snow plow issue on (I think all or at least most all of) my MTH diesels. Seems like they all use the same plow and have the same problems on each engine. You would think they could easily just re-make the plow so it fits? Maybe someone at MTH should try installing one? I have only been back in the hobby for about 3 years or so and it's been a problem the whole time.
To nw2124 about the hand rails, as I said, I'm pretty much prototypically challenged and the hand rails seem to me to be fitting ok so I wouldn't know it they are correct or not. As long as things fit together properly (unlike the plows) I am happy.
Try the PSC ones. #56198 plastic or 56197 brass. I ordered them to see. I don't know if they're the longer ones for going thru the plow.
I'm trying to find those on their web site? I seem to not be able to find the search function.
I think I'm going to spend some good time getting this right if MTH won't.
Chuck
rtr12: Now you are not prototpically challenged in the handrail department as the proper fit is not under the frame. Isn't it great to learn things at any age! Stephen
rtr12: Now you are not prototpically challenged in the handrail department as the proper fit is not under the frame. Isn't it great to learn things at any age! Stephen
Yes, the learning part is great, but at my age remembering what I learn is a real problem.
All I see is one plow ?
http://irishtracklayer.com/productsindex.html
http://irishtracklayer.com/brass/brass1.html
I just got the PSC MU hose assemblies in. WOW, they are tiny. Look like HO scale ones?
I'll have to scale them out.
I just got the PSC MU hose assemblies in. WOW, they are tiny. Look like HO scale ones?
I'll have to scale them out.
I ordered some too a couple days. Still waiting on them.
If they are tiny then I just wasted some $$$.
Hey! MTH!!!
Chuck
Shwoow.
Must be those three rail detail's size throwing me off again.
That snow plow from the Irish Track Layer is nothing like the modern snow plow like the ones on the ES44 or even older SD or GP units. Sort of looks like a plow for the front of an F unit.
ES44 MU hoses and plow detail:
Thought I had ordered them but I had ordered from Atlas.
Off hand do you know the part numbers for the MU hoses and brackets on PSC? I'm all over their web site but can't find them.
Thanks!
Chuck
Big Jim, I noticed that the inside hose looked like the end was turned opposite of the other two. I wasn't sure if it was a different type.
Just recently it was pointed out that the inside most hose was bigger and I never noticed that before.
Your picture makes that very clear to see!
The PSC glad hands are all the same, I just turn them the opposite direction.
The ones shown on the GP35 above:
PSC 56197 ....bracket, hose, and glad hands included...(1 size hose, not the bigger hose)
The ones I prefer:
PSC 5650 MU bracket
PSC 5676 glad hands
PSC 48387 .045 rubber hose (mu hose)
PSC 48388 .055 rubber hose... (main res hose)
The brackets to the right (outside the packages) are the ones I prefer... just a tad bigger than the ones I used on the GP35, but either will work.
PSC doesn't not have a website, I fax my orders in with CC#, and they still take forever to fill. Still well worth the wait in my opinion.
The GP30 I used the PSC 5650 and 5676 bracket/glad hands with the 2 diff sized hoses. You can see here the glad hands on the MR hose are turned in towards the other 2 mu hoses, as they should be.
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