MTH Railking Imperial ES44 (CSX)

I just ordered the NS N&W heritage one. Should be here in a few days. I'll post pics if nobody chimes in

SJC:

What are you using as an LHS, now that Catoctin Mountain trains has closed?

Those are nice engines.  The Imperials are a great value.

Thanks.

John, 

I've just been going to Engine House Hobbies as it is just convenient and an easy drive up 270. 

I do have a preorder with Dan Danielson's new store out in Manassas as well. 

For those of you on the fence, I purchased the Imperial CSX ES44 last Saturday. What a beautiful loco. I had the Imperial SD70 (sold it) and I think this is layers above the SD70. A beautiful loco. My runs like a dream. Only issue I had was one of the cab window shades fell off. A little dab of glue solved that problem. Just a great engine so far. Really happy with it in performance and looks. 

Love the RK Imperial line.What curves will your ES44 handle?

When I had the SD70, it would run on 0-27 curves. It didn't look pretty but it ran fine. I bought the ES44 thinking I could use it on the 0-27 loops and the larger loops as it appears the truck design is the same. 

Nope...it won't run around an 0-27 so the advertised 0-31 is about as tight as you could go. It stays on my 0-42 loop where it is currently pulling a C&O passenger train (I call it the "what if" CSX/Chessie/C&O business train!)

Where did you get it from? dealers have them already MTH product locator states it will be out in OCT. 2015,  

I bought it from my LHS, Engine House Hobbies. According to the MTH Product Locator, other dealers have them in stock. Perhaps a different production run is shipping in October 2015. 

Hi Matt, I just spoke with the owner of EHH the engine you bought did come out in Feb 2015 the next MTH CSX RK imperial  es44ac will be out in oct 2015 only difference is the stickers on the side of the engine and it's a proto 3 engine you had me trying to figure out how you bought the same engine when it wasn't released yet not that the small safety stickers really matter still a great engine I have one on order from another dealer for $265.00 free shipping when it comes out. 

Looks very very nice. MTH makes a great bargain with best details/functions for $265 w/free ship...wow...