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With the possibility of MTH ending production within the year I thought it would be fun to look through our collections and have people post their most favorite MTH creation in this thread. If it’s too hard to pick one item maybe you can pick one item from each category: loco, car or accessory. 

I’ll kick it of with the following. 

Loco: Amtrak Phase III F40PH. Always wanted one as a kid who only had PW and MPC options that were very dated. It’s actually this model and the Superliners and Amfleets that brought me back to the hobby after college. 

Car: The soon the be delivered Strykers, Bradley’s and Humvees. You just can’t beat those as a last call for rolling stock!!

Accessory: I still need to hunt one down. The operating McDonalds with the drive through sound effects is so cool. 

Let’s hear what is on your short list!

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My favorite MTH item is the first diesel engine Mike announced at York in the spring of 1993. I ordered this CSX Dash8 directly from Mike at his table at the spring 1993 York meet. It was delivered in October 1993 to me at my house by UPS. I was thrilled with it and still run it occasionally. The nice thing is it is conventional and can run on any AC transformer. Here is a picture of the engine and the catalog Mike gave me to convince me I should order it. I have bought many many more MTH engines and cars.

A6751552-DB04-4E95-A1A1-33AF196E205A406DC7DE-5927-42BB-8409-204EF64BD6D6F4005CD9-F67B-452C-A986-A39958245C83E8C0EBDA-C915-4B64-8912-CFDC94F8B8E2

 

 

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Last edited by DG

Dudley, I well remember those first 'catalogs' - brochures actually and became an authorized dealer. His next announcement was for the full-scale die cast UP Challenger that blew everyone away!  The heft, detail, and ProtoSound were truly 'state of the art' back then. One of my customers had brought in a R.O.W. brass articulated steamer to show us which was impressive, but the MTH Challengers were far above it in everything and man, could they smoke!

Last edited by c.sam

Guys and gals

My top favorite steamer would be the Railking Imperial PS-3 (2017 era.) U.P. Challenger #30-1724-1 it is my 3rd one. This engine is all LED's now.  My top favorite diesel would be the Railking green/ white Southern PS-1 (1999 era.) NW-2 #30-2157-1 and still has its orginal electronics and bulbs with the JW BCR and still runs.   Finally my top favorite car is the Railking Aquarium blue marlin car #30-79280 (2010 era.) still operates well.  I still love the Railking trains but some steamers look funny (too compressed or odd looking if compressed in wrong places) I don't why that is but some do and some don't.  The Challenger looks bit short from the cab which should have moved back at least 1/4 inch then it will look right oh well.   It took me while to get used to it's short cab.  I like it's well cast in details which is impressive for one piece cast metal boiler.  I am sorry it is the end of the Railking line in Jun 2021. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 ERV (easy to read version)

Tiffany (widowed, Sept ,15,2019)

When I reentered model railroading in the late 1990's, I was taken by MTH's better scale models than Lionel. I started buying various cars and locomotives. I was able to collect the first 12 MTH Premier boxcars and tank cars. About 10 years ago I sold off all but the first 6 boxcars and tank cars, which are on display.

DSCN0342

And my favorite locomotive is the Railking Family Lines EMD MP15

DSCN0316 

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@Ed Boyle posted:

Jim, 

Z 4000.   Great choice.

Hope a follow on MTH entity keeps making new ones, even if they are antiques, they are still great for O gauge.

Just did a Collector's Gallery article on it in the Feb/March issue of O Gauge Railroading.  It's developmental history is fascinating!

Ed Boyle

Ed,

I just read that article last week.  Never knew about the Z-2000 previously planned.  I'm also amazed that the Z-4000 hasn't had to have a redesign in all these years, and they have been able to make the things without parts obsolescence.  I'm sure they have had challenges to keep pumping them out.  I do know at least one of the 2 main boards in it has had revisions.

Most of the repairs I've done has just been the pots that control the throttle.

Jim

@Jim Sandman posted:

Ed,

I just read that article last week.  Never knew about the Z-2000 previously planned.  I'm also amazed that the Z-4000 hasn't had to have a redesign in all these years, and they have been able to make the things without parts obsolescence.  I'm sure they have had challenges to keep pumping them out.  I do know at least one of the 2 main boards in it has had revisions.

Most of the repairs I've done has just been the pots that control the throttle.

Jim

Jim, the Z-4000 sold today has had some changes over the years. The boards for the early ones 1998-around 2001 are NLA. Not sure if there have been other changes since but the early ones should be avoided.

Pete

I'm grateful for MTH itself .... because the company was/is the game changer in O gauge model trains.  There are so many products which are my favorites and I'll begin with

the Z4000  ... Proto Sound and all its incarnations & Proto Smoke ... the RailKing line  - especially RailKing scale and articulated steamers such as the Y6b.  ..... the huge variety of road names especially the obscure short line and switching roads, the Premier BL-2, the Docksider, the Premier P5a modified, RailKing buildings such as the Car Dealership and Brewery with smoke,  the work caboose with air whistles.  I'll be back with more MTH I love.  Meanwhile here are a few photos IMG_3344-2

Short lines IMG_3367-3

RailKing DocksiderIMG_2868

Premier P5a modified. IMG_1309

 

 

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Last edited by trumpettrain

I'd have a very long list of MTH engines that all have been my favorite. So thinking it over, I really think the whole DCS system has been my favorite. The available upgrades made the system shine. I have it inside all types of engines and it's allowed me to own and run together more engines than I had expected to ever own. I have built consists that have handled long trains with grace.

 I hope what MTH started will be honored in the history of O and the rest of the scales for many decades. Making a quality product that's a true value for what it does and what it can do for many years. I'm proud to own what I've got.

There is lots to love about what MTH did O Gauge and if were not for what I think were some crucial mistakes venturing in to HO, S and Gauge one. I believe MTH could be viable right now. 
But I would have to say the Scale Wheel 3-2 models with fix pilots are the bell of the ball for me. I can finally have the reliability of 3 rail operation with fixed pilot more prototypical look.

I think they would have done good make all there trucks this way cheaper production and more offerings.

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