Questions About MTH Swiss Crocodile - Updated 10/5/13

Why don't you ask MTH?

Eddie,

Because MTH knows nothing about their engine running on Ross turnouts and Gargraves track.

Barry,

I can't answer your questions but can offer one insight about one of your questions.

I wanted a certain engine rated for O31 but wanted to use it on a part of my layout that has 27" curves (along with bigger ones).  I tried putting a 27" curve, then a straight, and then the 2nd 27" curve thinking this maybe comparable.  NOPE.

The problem that I ran into was that the trucks would not rotate enough to allow it to make it thru the 27" curves.

I know that doesn't answer your question, directly, but.....

- walt

FYI...from May, 2012

Gerry,

That post is old news. Later, when the production engines arrived at MTH, they tested them and found that they would derail on O42 curves (MTH trackage) but worked fine on O54 curves.

I need info about Ross/Gargraves trackage.

Walt,

That trick works for some engines and not for others, I need to know if it will work for the croc.

Doesn't anybody have a "pet Crocodile"?

To Barry:

I have been running my Swiss Crocodile on Lionel Fast Track 048 curves with no problems at all. Enough said? When MTH, Lionel, Sunset Models, etc. announce a new model and until they get a production model and run it on their test track they do not know for sure what the minimum operating curve will be. On 048 curves I also operate the Sunset Models (3rd Rail) the New York Central T-3 electric locomotive and the New Haven FL9 diesel locomotives, the MTH ALP 46 New Jersey Transit electric locomotive, the Pennsylvania P5A and the P5AM electric locomotives, and several others that are listed in their catalogs as minimum curve 054 but do operate on 048 curves.

Ed,

That's the kind of information I'm seeking. Now I know that the crocodile should have absolutely no issues with my O54 loops.

The other question is as follows. I now know for certain (from MTH) that the croc will derail on the MTH O42 curves (most likely RealTrax rather than ScaleTrax, but maybe both) and from you that it will traverse O48 Lionel FasTrack curves.

The  remaining question is will the engine navigate my Gargraves and Ross O42 curves and switches.

You mentioned that your ALP-46 will negotiate your O48 curves. It might surprise you to know that my ALP-46 will negotiate 1/4 circle O42 Gargraves curves. That's one reason I've got some hope that the croc will also navigate my 1/4 circle O42 Gargraves curves, particularly of they're "broken" with a short straight track in the middle of the curve.

Thanks very much for responding!

Is there a difference between MTH and Ross/GG O42?  Isn't O42 just O42?

The difference is often in which rail the manufacturer uses as the reference for the 42" diameter measurement.

Unfortunately, no, not all O-42 is the same.  Depending on the manufacturer and the size O-gauge track diameter is sometimes measured center rail to center rail and other times measured outside rail to outside rail.  For the sake of comparison lets use center rail to center rail as a standard means of measurement.  This is the method of measurement used by RR-Track software.  According to RR-Track, which in my experience is HIGHLY accurate, O-42 curve track circle diameter can range from 40.33 to 42.00 inches.

MTH RealTrax = 40.33"

Lionel tubular = 40.75"

Lionel O-27 = 40.75"

Ross = 42.00"

Gargraves = 42.00"

There are variations in other sizes as well.

O-31

 RealTrax = 28.58"

 ScaleTrax = 28.58"

 Lionel tubular = 28.60"

 Ross = 31.00"

 Gargraves = 31.00"

O-54

 RealTrax = 54.00"

 ScaleTrax = 54.00"

 Lionel tubular = 53.30"

 Lionel O-27 = 52.75"

 Ross = 54.00"

 Gargraves = 54.00"

 Atlas = 54.00"

O-72

 RealTrax = 72.00"

 ScaleTrax = 72.00"

 Lionel tubular = 72.50"

 K-Line O-27 = 70.75"

 FasTrack = 72.00"

 Ross = 72.00"

 Gargraves = 72.00"

 Atlas = 72.00"

Atlas, Ross, Gargaves, and FasTrack consistently used center rail to center rail measurement across their product ranges.  Lionel O-27 consistently measured from the inside edge of an outside rail to the other.  Lionel tubular, RealTrax and ScaleTrax all vary depending on the size.  MTH essentially matched their measurements to Lionel tubular so track plans for each are interchangeable.

In short, Barry's Ross O-42 curves are a little bigger than MTH's RealTrax curves, so there is at least a chance the Crocs will make it.

Dave,

That's encouraging - thanks!

Is there anyone out there who has tried to operate the croc on Gargraves or Ross O42 trackage?

Also, does anyone know if there's an English language sound file for the engine?

Thanks!

Today I brought home the Swiss Crocodile and placed it on the layout.

I found that it will, indeed, negotiate my layout's O54 and O2 Gargraves curves!

However, it ail not cleanly negotiate my O42 Ross turnouts. The good news, however, is that it can operate with pantographs in automatic mode on the layout's upper level, crossing between the O42 and O54 loops. It just cannot traverse the ramp between the upper and middle levels.

The last remaining question is whether or not there's an English sound file for the engine.

Hi folks,

I have this MTH Swiss Crocodile but not yet powered. I have a DCC command system. Before I make some mistake I'd like to select the DCC/DCS switch in the DCC right position: it may be a very stupid question but I am not able to locate this switch on the loco; the Operator's manual says it is under the Tender but it refers to steam locos.

Anyone could help me? Thanks.

Maurizio.

Rome, italy

 You should wait for someone who has this exact engine to respond. I don't have this engine.

On all the MTH engines I own with PS3, this switch is very small (tiny!). Much smaller than all the other switches. It might be hard to see.

Thank you Engineer-Joe. The problem is that there are a lot of switches: two are located  close to the master volume controls on the underside of the front chassis and two other ones on the underside of the rear one, and unfortunately the setting of the switches- which are small indeed - is not labeled in a readable way (black against black!!!). I have sent a message upon the matter directly to MTH but so far no reply