MTH Taurus ES64 / Traxx F140

Hello Maverick0394......I have the Hupac Taurus ES 64 engine, as pictured.  However, I won't be able to answer your question "exactly".  My track is, and most of my turns are, Atlas 072 and 081....but I do have some 054 sidings.  I just tried the ES 64, and the  ES 64 will run through the 054 sidings, so I would imagine it should be ok on a "normal" 054 curve (maybe not an 054 "S" curve though).  However, there is a problem:  If you retain the knuckle couplers that come with the engine (which I retain on mine) the swing of the knuckle coupler can interfere with the spring bumpers that are used with the European market coupling system. I found this is a problem if you are pulling the MTH European freight cars.  Even on the 072 turns the knuckle coupler is right up against the spring bumpers with the European freight cars.  (I haven't tried this engine with domestic freight cars though)......I hope this information helps!

The MTH Hupac Taurus is a fantastic engine.  I love the sounds!  I have a few of the MTH European engines and in particular the steam engines are a "work of art"..........(I also have numerous MTH US engines).  I regret that MTH will not continue, and certainly wish MTH would have built more of not only European engines and rolling stock, but engines and rolling stock from other parts of the world.  I know that MTH still owns the tooling for what they have already produced, so perhaps someone else will pick this up and make a good business case for them to produce and succeed with it?  I have looked at some of the other manufacturers' engines and rolling stock like ACE and ETS, for example, but don't see anything that in my opinion would compare to the MTH engines.                  (just my 2 cents)   

@AMF posted:

Hello Maverick0394......I have the Hupac Taurus ES 64 engine, as pictured.  However, I won't be able to answer your question "exactly".  My track is, and most of my turns are, Atlas 072 and 081....but I do have some 054 sidings.  I just tried the ES 64, and the  ES 64 will run through the 054 sidings, so I would imagine it should be ok on a "normal" 054 curve (maybe not an 054 "S" curve though).  However, there is a problem:  If you retain the knuckle couplers that come with the engine (which I retain on mine) the swing of the knuckle coupler can interfere with the spring bumpers that are used with the European market coupling system. I found this is a problem if you are pulling the MTH European freight cars.  Even on the 072 turns the knuckle coupler is right up against the spring bumpers with the European freight cars.  (I haven't tried this engine with domestic freight cars though)......I hope this information helps!

The MTH Hupac Taurus is a fantastic engine.  I love the sounds!  I have a few of the MTH European engines and in particular the steam engines are a "work of art"..........(I also have numerous MTH US engines).  I regret that MTH will not continue, and certainly wish MTH would have built more of not only European engines and rolling stock, but engines and rolling stock from other parts of the world.  I know that MTH still owns the tooling for what they have already produced, so perhaps someone else will pick this up and make a good business case for them to produce and succeed with it?  I have looked at some of the other manufacturers' engines and rolling stock like ACE and ETS, for example, but don't see anything that in my opinion would compare to the MTH engines.                  (just my 2 cents)   

Hey AMF...thanks for info, I have 054s with no "S" curves...I would be getting the Hi-rail version of the engine which has the american "knuckle" coupler as standard, my consists will be american knuckle couplers but I can see your point as to the european coupler system though. Thanks again for reply....now to just find one in the wild, lol.

I have 0-54 curve and a number of years ago purchased a different roadname of this great sounding locomotive based on the "initial" documentation that it's minimum curve was 0-42.  Looks great, put it on the track, great start-up and pull-out sounds only to find it would not even come close to making it through the 0-54 curve at any speed.  There is very little swing movement to the trucks and IIRC subsequent documentation says high-rail min-curve is 0-72.  I don't think MTH ever corrected their online product min-curve data for the earlier respective models.

really? oh wow...different answer than previous post but thanks for info, appreciate time.