February 22, 2022 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the RailKing O Gauge ES44 Diesel Locomotives in four select liveries in 2022. Each of these unique schemes will be available in limited production quantities and will begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in August 2022

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

ABOUT ES44AC IMPERIAL DIESEL ENGINE

Model the ground-shaking, high horsepower drama of modern railroading with, General Electric’s Evolution Series ES44AC. At the heart of the Evolution Series is a diesel motor designed specifically to comply with new Environmental Protection Agency regulations: the turbocharged four-cycle, 12-cylinder GEVO-12. While producing the same 4400 horsepower as its 16-cylinder FDL-series predecessor, the GEVO-12 uses less fuel and spits out 40% fewer emissions. Each of its cylinders displaces 950 cubic inches, more than twice as much as an entire Corvette V-8.

GE claims the EVOs are "the most fuel-efficient, most environmentally friendly diesel locomotives in history… If every freight train in North America were pulled by an Evolution Series Locomotive, the reduction of smog-producing pollutants would be like removing 48 million cars from the road each year." Everything about these locomotives has been examined, questioned, and re-thought, generating 25 new U.S. patents in the process. Today ES44ACs are rostered by every one of the Class 1 roads that dominate rail transportation in North America: Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Kansas City Southern, Canadian National, and Canadian Pacific.

Our superbly detailed, top-of-the-line RailKing Imperial model of this modern freight mover features a full range of locomotive sounds recorded from an actual ES44AC. Outfitted with twin powerful flywheel-equipped motors, all-metal wheels and gears, and our revolutionary Proto-Speed Control, our ES44AC will haul long freights at any speed from a crawl to full throttle. Remotely activated front and rear Proto-Couplers allow you to pick up and drop off freight wherever you like. Additional Imperial features on the ES44AC include operating diesel exhaust smoke and flashing ditch lights.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

IMPORTANT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

2021 RailKing RS-3 Diesel Locomotive Smoke Unit Overheating

February 23, 2022 - The 2021 M.T.H. RailKing RS-3 Diesel Locomotives released in January 2022 were mistakenly programmed with the wrong smoke unit temperature values in the Proto-Sound 3.0 firmware resulting in excessive external smoke unit housing temperatures which could cause the locomotive shell to distort and warp. The issue exists in both conventional or command operating modes.

Owners of the locomotives should immediately cease operating the locomotives with the smoke unit on until the firmware in the locomotive is replaced. Revised firmware has been uploaded to the M.T.H. website and is available for free download by visiting the support tab of each affected RS-3 diesel's landing page. The firmware can be replaced by consumers, retailers, or service centers using the DCS Consumer Loader Windows software and the DCS TIU. The affected RS-3 models can be found HERE.

See below for more details on obtaining the DCS Consumer Loader software and using the software to reprogram the locomotive's firmware.

WHAT SHOULD CUSTOMERS DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

1. Until the Proto-Sound 3.0 firmware is updated, turn off the smoke unit before operating the locomotive further. The smoke unit volume control knob is located on the bottom of the locomotive and must be turned all the way to the left (counterclockwise) to turn off the smoke unit. The location of the knob is detailed in the RS-3 User Manual on page 36. You can find the manual HERE. If you are operating the locomotive in command mode with the DCS System, you MUST turn off the smoke unit using the DCS System as DCS overrides the smoke volume control knob position (the smoke volume control knob has no control over smoke output in command mode).

2. If you own a DCS System and have a Windows PC or laptop available, you can update the Proto-Sound 3.0 software in any affected models by downloading the revised firmware code for your specific model and installing the DCS Consumer Loader windows software onto your Windows computer.

3. If you don't own a DCS System or do not have a Windows computer available to update the Proto-Sound 3.0 firmware into your locomotive, contact an M.T.H. Authorized Service Center to reprogram the locomotive; or contact the M.T.H. Authorized Retailer for instructions on returning the locomotive to them for reprogramming, or contact M.T.H. Electric Trains for a Return Authorization (RA) to ship the locomotive back to M.T.H. for reprogramming. If choosing to have M.T.H. reprogram the locomotive do NOT ship the locomotive without obtaining an RA number first. You can contact M.T.H. at 410-381-2580.

HOW TO OBTAIN THE DCS CONSUMER LOADER WINDOWS SOFTWARE

1. Visit the DCS Software Downloads page on the M.T.H. Website located HERE to download the free software.

2. Review the DCS Consumer Loader software installation tutorial video located HERE and then install the software onto your Windows PC.

3. Review the DCS Hardware Connection For Firmware Updates tutorial video located HERE and then connect your TIU to your Windows PC. Note: you'll only need to review the section about hooking up the TIU to the computer

HOW TO OBTAIN AND INSTALL THE REVISED PROTO-SOUND 3.0 RS-3 FIRMWARE USING THE DCS CONSUMER LOADER WINDOWS SOFTWARE

1. Review the DCS Loader Program Instructions user manual located HERE.

2. Download the revised Proto-Sound 3.0 firmware from the M.T.H. website by selecting your specific locomotive item number on the left side of this page. Once at the model's landing page, click on the SUPPORT tab and then right-click the Proto-Sound 3 icon. Select the "Save As" option and save the firmware zip file to your Windows PC.

3. Follow the DCS Loader Program Instructions to install the revised firmware to your locomotive.

Should you have any questions about this issue or require assistance in using the DCS hardware and consumer loader software please don't hesitate to contact the M.T.H. Sales Department.

O Gauge Items Just Released During The Week Of February 13, 2022

February 23, 2022 - To review last week's list of the O Gauge items M.T.H. Electric Trains released during the week of February 13, 2022 click HERE. You'll find these at your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

As always, you can stay apprised of the latest shipping dates by checking the M.T.H. Shipping Schedule. Once items have shipped, use the M.T.H. Product Locator to find a retailer reporting the item in stock.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the RailKing O Gauge Modern Reefer Car in four select liveries in 2022. Each of these unique schemes will be available in limited production quantities and will begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in June 2022.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

Scheduled Arrivals Thru February 28, 2022

February 23, 2022 - To review a list of items scheduled for arrival between February 15, 2022, and February 28, 2022 click HERE. Upon the completion of quality assurance inspections, the items will begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers and Distributors.

As always, you can stay apprised of the latest shipping dates by checking the M.T.H. Shipping Schedule.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the Premier O Scale 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Boxcars in four select liveries in 2022. Each of these unique schemes will be available in limited production quantities and will begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in July 2022.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

Hurry Before They're Gone, Just Five Or Fewer Of These O Gauge Items Remain In Stock

February 23, 2022 - Each week, M.T.H. releases product lists spotlighting quantities of Five Or Fewer Premier and RailKing items that are remaining in our onhand inventory. In many cases, these items will NOT be re-run in the future and these lists could be your last chance for ordering them before they're GONE FOR GOOD. Don't miss out on these items! Click on the appropriate product line link below and then any item number in the corresponding list to purchase that item from the M.T.H. Online Store or order directly from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

Premier O Scale 3-Rail

RailKing O Gauge