MTH Premiere 4-4-4-4 T-1 Duplex, thoughts as a runner

Well, it sure looks good just standing still.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't trade a Ball railroad pocket watch for even a REAL T-1!!!

+1 on that.  Toy trains may come and go, but the day will come when you wish you still had the watch.

My wife says the same. But I'm into trains more, cash low, and trades are always beneficial to both. Chance to pick up engines and passenger cars I need. Pocketwatches I have, "O" engines I need. Besides, it will cut back on having to daily wind them. LOL

So any opinions on how good/bad these engines are?

My point exactly. Many years ago, we got into some financial problems, and I had to sell my Ball (by Hamilton), My Elgin (23 jewel with up&down indicator), and a 23 jewel Illinois. Sure, we got a LOT of money for those three railroad pocket watches, but I still miss that Ball watch. 

Personally, I do NOT own the MTH version, but at least one of my friends does, and it really runs great, with excellent sounds. I still prefer my Sunset/3rd Rail PRR T-1 (up graded to TMCC), but I have to admit that MTH model is REALLY nice!

For what it's worth, I don't wind my pocket watch collection (in the safety deposit box at the bank) more than 2 times a year. The various ones I might carry when out on the railroad, get wound a bit more regularly. 

You can have my Speedmaster when you pry it off my cold, dead wrist 

I used to collect watches - it was a hobby before I got back into trains.  Eventually I got priced out of it, but I learned a lot in the process.   Even trading watches for other watches, there are still a few pieces I wish I would have kept and can no longer afford to buy because of how much the prices have gone up.   I'm looking forward to passing the watches I kept down to my kids.  Unlike a train, it's something that they can have with them every day for the rest of their lives.   Not so sure any of my trains will still be running then 

I don't know anything about pocket watch values, but within the last 6 weeks I bought an MTH T1 for under $400.  Be careful with your trade.

Thanks for input. We drove and looked at the engine, but he had no track to test run it. A beauty. But will wait if as said, these are going for under 500.00 used.

If anyone does have a runner on their layout, let me hear about performance.

If you are talking about the PS1 version (20-3043-1), I have had one since they came out in 2000. While not state-of-the-art by today's standards, it is a beautiful engine.

Mine has been completely trouble free. I have replaced the battery with a BCR.

I normally pull 8 MTH 18" passenger cars with it.

There is a later PS 2.0 version which came out in 2006, I believe.

I have to agree with everyone above. Don't trade the pocket watches!

The MTH is a nice model, but it not worth giving up a fine mechanical timepiece.

Those pocket watches are from a different time when fine mechanical work and the work of a skilled artisan meant something.

You can buy very nice wooden stands for pocket watches and convert them into a desk clock...something I am considering myself. 

When the boards fail in the MTH, which they will at some point, you may well be kicking yourself. 

I have the MTH T-1 but do not like the skirted drivers.  I just picked up an early Lionel (open drivers) that I plan on converting to DCS.  When done, I will be selling my MTH that has low mileage and a 3 v board.

Time and money? Wish I had both, at present, time I have. Thanks for all the input. It is the MTH PS2 version I'm interested in acquiring.

Now I like the skirted drivers.

 I saw so many posts about this engine, I got one. I test ran it only, and it sounded good (PS1). I figure I would upgrade it down the road. All this "skirt" talk about it makes me want to get it out and have a closer look!

the PS1 Buck Rogers sounds good and pulls well.

The PS1 version is on my hit list.  I love all the skirting of the prototype T-1 #6110.

I pre-ordered the MTH T1 version in 2000 that was cataloged, as you recall, as the unskirted version. MTH then changed it to the skirted (6110 Buck Rogers) version.

While I preferred the unskirted version, I still got the skirted version, which is a great looking engine.

I had planned to get the Lionel version when they re-released it, but finally gave up on that happening in my lifetime and found a NIB engine (6-28063) for a good price and bought it last year. 

pennsyk4 is that a 3rd rail version?...Id just picked up a 3rd rail Q2 that im modding into the proto type..im with hot water on this on..Id would rather get my hands on a 3rd rail version...can at time pick them up for less then 500..seen some went for alittle under 400...

The T1 in the video is a MTH PS1 came out around 2000.

All I'm getting is prices in the 800.00 to 1000.00 ranges on these whenever I ask on price. That's why one train collector told me he would trade for some of my pocket watches for one. If under 500.00, I'd buy one now.

We are talking the MTH PS 2 version right? One reason why I also am going to a 072 radius layout.

At least one of the MTH versions has the drivers in each set "reversed", i.e. the 2nd driving wheel in each set should have the heavier counterweight.

I upgraded a friend's PS1 T-1 to PS2 and it runs great and looks great. It will be a good puller and DCS makes it work very well.  Just make sure you know which one you are getting, a PS1 would have to be a lot cheaper than a PS2 version.  Hopefully it is PS2 with the 3 volt boards. I think it is one of the most beautiful engines ever.  Best of luck. 

x2, Makes me glad to hear all the good feedback.  I much prefer the as delivered versions as well.  The later versions just lose too much of the art deco charm.

The 6110 was one of the two prototype T1's delivered before WWI for evaluation 

The 50 T1's built following the war where all delivered with porthole pilots and full skirting as mentioned before on this forum.

The skirting was removed in the shops to facilitate maintenance on these locomotives.

Marty,

When you are ready to sell that T-1 let me know.. I would love to pick it up if the price is right.

I once traded about $4000 worth of plastic model kits for a 1973 Javelin. I never regretted the trade. Plus.....the kits I traded are worth maybe $2000 today but my Javelin is gone way up and I get more enjoyment from it! 

Boils down to what YOU value things at.

Not to hijack, but I'd love to see photos of the Javelin.  There has always been something about those cars that hits a sweet spot with me.  But then I've always been a sucker for American muscle.

think those javelins were made of plastic also.

You didn't want to lean against the grill.

That's one reason I would not have regrets on trading RR watches for what I know I would enjoy. As to the deal I had going, seems there's problems with the engine. It binds up, and started smoking when I brought some fast track over to check.

So, guess I'll keep looking for another T-1.

Anyone got one for sale or trade, keep me in mind.

Yep! It is! .....but so are much more valuable Mustang's, Cuda's and Camaro's of the same era....And go price a mint 73 Javelin grille....about the cost of that model collection I traded!!! Or better yet.....find a grille for a Hemi Cuda!!!!

And so we do not wander from trains......my Javelin is sitting on the one time C&O Greenbrier Div roadbed!!!!

joesf: I have the MTH Premier version and I love it, great runner the only problem I had was it was throwing traction tires but fixed that with RTV in place of the tires and really runs great and pulls 12 MTH Fleet of Modernism passenger cars with no problem, itis probable that I  could add more if the couplers would stay closed.

I like 3rd rail running gear..well its a belt drive on my S1 unskirted duplex and its fast and quiet runner..my Q2 is too but its a stacked gear drive fast and quiet runner....My next brass train will be the weaver T1,,love the port holes unskirted version of the T1 and weaver is the only ones that makes it..

I too love the Weaver T-1......for us conventional runners....perfect!!!

did you ever got one yet?

No I haven't. Did pick up some other engines. Still looking though, also for the MTH Sharknose

email me..found one for you..