I was paging through the MTH website and found a product page for an uncataloged 44-ton switcher, product number 20-20775-1, roadname Amtrak. I don't recall ever hearing about this engine being made for any hobby shops. Who ordered this engine?
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I checked the product locator , Nicholas Smith as it on order.
Cool, but AMTK 1100 isn't a 44 ton, it's an 80 ton.
Looks close enough to me
Clem, I agree with you, a lot of our models look close enough to me.
Mark .... I seem to remember something about this when the 44 tonner's where announced by MTH. Someone posted the differences and it was more about added weight than dimensions ? I looked but could not find the 80 tonner dimensions.
Clem, I couldnt find a photo of the MTH Amtrak 80 tonner. I didn't look for dimensions. I wave thought of getting a Western Maryland 44 tonner, but there are engines I like better, so I haven't done it.
Thanks for the heads up. I went to the MTH website and there is no picture. Anyone have a pic or description of what the paint scheme will be?
Mark a photo was posted on the forum, thats a good paint job for that locomotive a natural fit silver with red white and blue stripes. phase two ?
I think I found it Clem. Topic named How about a 44 ton switcher in Amtrak back in January
An 80 ton is around 8 feet longer than a 44, and beefier. If being 20% off is "close enough" I don't really know what to say.
Amtrak had (has) 2 65 tonners, 4 80 tonners and a side rod 45 ton.
No 44s on the roster.
Mark Boyce posted:I think I found it Clem. Topic named How about a 44 ton switcher in Amtrak back in January
I'll spend the extra 10 seconds and throw the link in here for everyone to use:
Thank you for the scoop Boilermaker! That answers the questions. My thinking is if someone is satisfied with semi Scale, they wouldn't mind a 20 percent difference. I'm not interested in Amtrak paint scheme myself anyway. :-)
cta4391 posted:Mark Boyce posted:I think I found it Clem. Topic named How about a 44 ton switcher in Amtrak back in January
I'll spend the extra 10 seconds and throw the link in here for everyone to use:
I appreciate the link! I couldn't figure out how to do it using my smart phone that's smarter than me! ;-)
bigtruckpete posted:Thanks for the heads up. I went to the MTH website and there is no picture. Anyone have a pic or description of what the paint scheme will be?
I believe I saw the "prototype" at the Wilmington shops. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Attachments
Thanks Dan!
All my MTH engines report on the maintenance log they do not mind running on 3 rail track, they all report that it is close enough
really
I suggested this on a thread I started months ago. Amtrak did have 45 tonners as well as 80. MTH needs a catalog of the uncatalogued... ;-)
How do I buy one of these secrets that Ive been hounding them to make?
Is there an uncatalogued 1970's auto train out there? ;-)
Hey Boilermaker where did you find the dimensions for the 80 tonner ? I couldn't find them.
Clem
pittsburghrailfan posted:
Yes sir Dan, that's it!! Handsome looking, isn't it!? Almost enough so for me to be tempted.
There was also Amtrak 45 & 65 tonner locomotives in phase 2 & 3. I pictured one in my thread from January :
Yes it does, Corey! Money is a little tight right now. Maybe I'll get a used one someday! :-)
Mark, I hope money is tight because you are building a layout!
Corey,
Fortunatly I have been able to acquire a lot of what I need for the new layout when we had extra money. The summers have always been tight since my wife has been working at the school. She will get her first check of the fall in a couple weeks, but I will be only working 3 days a week for a while until they kick off the next phase of a multi year project. Of course the small pension checks will still be coming in the first of the month.
Three days a week, maybe I can get started cutting lumber a little sooner than I thought!
Corey, Thanks for posting the photo and restarting this thread. I totally forgot about it!!
I forgot to mention, the Amtrak body is different from the first release of 44 tonners. The front and rear hand rails and no radiator grill on front or back. Grill is moved to the sides
Clem
clem k posted:I forgot to mention, the Amtrak body is different from the first release of 44 tonners. The front and rear hand rails and no radiator grill on front or back. Grill is moved to the sides
Clem
Yep, this version is Phase 1c of the prototype.
I'm actually amazed MTH altered the tooling of its first run to make this entire second run a variant, especially since some of the new paint schemes were never applied to 44-tonners in the real world. There must have been a reason then for the change other than prototypical accuracy. Maybe to differentiate it from the Williams by Bachmann 44-tonner?
I picked up the Amtrak version to add to my expanding roster of MTH 44-tonners (small motive power has long been a personal favorite). If/when a U.S. Army version appears I will be first in line for one or more. In the meantime, I am quite satisfied with the way they little gems look and perform. They will see plenty of operating time on my new layout, once it gets up and running.