MTH SD60's Vs Lionel SD60's

I prefer MTH as far as sound and smoke go. However, smoke may not be relevant for buyers of modern diesels. MTH, IMHO, has the better sound set, since their prime mover sounds are reasonably accurate, and their PFA sequences are a mile better than Lionel's. The deciding factor for me would be whether or not the MTH model can negotiate O-31/O-36 curves or not. Aside from that, what I've heard on the forum is that one of the few differences will be whether or not you prefer gloss or flat paint. Frankly, I'm going to stick with MTH, if the SD60E can go around O-31.

I have both and I prefer the MTH.

Likely determining factors will be paint finish (glossy vs. flat/satin); sound fidelity and accuracy; Legacy vs. DCS control system preference; and of course, adherence to the prototype SD60E via new tooling details -- not in any particular order, since different folks will rank those features differently.

No wrong choice to be had on this one.  Life is good.

David 

Would someone on this forum know if the MTH version would be an updated version, made with new tooling or would it just have the newer paint scheme on an older model made from existing tooling?

I ask because Lionel has mentioned multiple times on these forums that this SD60E would be made from new tooling except for the trucks. But MTH according to other hobbyists on this forum has not been making many newly tooled models. Currently I almost exclusively buy MTH locomotives since unlike Lionel, MTH makes 2-rail locomotives but even $440 for an incorrect SD would not make it appealing to me.

These are just my opinion,

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

Being that I am not really a scale oriented operator, I will vote for the Lionel Legacy Version, as I like the sounds, the smoke, the slow operating ability, and the new tooling ideas. I ordered both models of Lionel's new color schemes...

It all comes down to personal preference. Both companies make a great product.

i have both and like them the same

Naveen, according to MTH and the info they have posted on Facebook, this will be all new tooling, including the ability for us to get the 2-rail versions.  This is NOT a warmed over SD60 unit from previous releases. I believe this is just the beginning of MTH going with the newer tooled versions including SD70 and 60 units. 

If MTH is indeed going with newer-tooled versions of older models then the SD40-2 should be next.

Lionel is doing a newly tooled SD40 so this opens the door for MTH to so the same with an SD40-2 where the fuel tank will be the correct size and the trucks will be pushed further out closer to the pilots.

Or, they could just use the SD45 frame and place an SD40-2 carbody over it and install a set of HTC trucks and that could pass for a reasonable facsimile of an SD40-2.