MTH or Lionel Tier 4 Units

I really like the look of the ET44AC engines. They just look powerful. It may take a while for me getting used to the look of the SD70ACe-T4. I understand the new prime mover is taller but that hump is a bit too much and the new trucks look like they were made from an I beam. MTH is due for some new tooling and I hope they make one these.

I really would like to see both of these engines made. And, if they would make them in the current BNSF livery, I would purchase one of each. 

Paul - yes, the new SD70ACe-T4's I like, but your right, the middle with though's trucks don't look that good. If they had 4 axle trucks, I think would look better.

RTR12 - yes, I think the BNSF paint scheme would look very nice. For me because I live in the east, I like the CSX version about 15% more. One reason why, is because this past Saturday up in Mentor, a CSX Eastbound Intermodal stopped under Route 615 and I was there and the engineer talked to me a bit and then was under way. But the engine was CSX ET44AH #3345.

Same for me, only I live right near several BNSF tracks and that is what I have on my layout for the most part. Nothing personal against CSX. Also the reason I have mostly MTH engines and rolling stock. Lionel seems to make very little in the way of BNSF and MTH has more than I can afford! Also BTW, nice pictures and it was pretty cool you got to talk to the engineer while you were there. I enjoy a lot of the pictures and videos you post as well.

rtr12 posted:

Same for me, only I live right near several BNSF tracks and that is what I have on my layout for the most part. Nothing personal against CSX. Also the reason I have mostly MTH engines and rolling stock. Lionel seems to make very little in the way of BNSF and MTH has more than I can afford! Also BTW, nice pictures and it was pretty cool you got to talk to the engineer while you were there. I enjoy a lot of the pictures and videos you post as well.

Yea, he was talking to me about the length of trains CSX are doing. His train here was 14,000 feet long or 2 and a half miles long. When I seen him go by when I drove up to Unionville, he was going 50MPH and it took him 3 to 4 minutes to pass. But yes, I agree with you with MTH and Lionel. One thing Lionel's GEVO and MTH's are different is, if you do a side by side comparison, something about Lionel's version looks a little shorter and also doesn't look as impressive as MTH's. 

I wouldn't mind seeing one in three rail...

I'm sure that the various 3-Rail model manufacturers are NOT going to rush into producing any of these "experimental" Tier 4 models, until both GE and Progress Rail/Caterpillar finalize the designs of the real locomotives. 

wrawroacx posted:

rtr12 posted:

Same for me, only I live right near several BNSF tracks and that is what I have on my layout for the most part. Nothing personal against CSX. Also the reason I have mostly MTH engines and rolling stock. Lionel seems to make very little in the way of BNSF and MTH has more than I can afford! Also BTW, nice pictures and it was pretty cool you got to talk to the engineer while you were there. I enjoy a lot of the pictures and videos you post as well.

Yea, he was talking to me about the length of trains CSX are doing. His train here was 14,000 feet long or 2 and a half miles long. When I seen him go by when I drove up to Unionville, he was going 50MPH and it took him 3 to 4 minutes to pass. But yes, I agree with you with MTH and Lionel. One thing Lionel's GEVO and MTH's are different is, if you do a side by side comparison, something about Lionel's version looks a little shorter and also doesn't look as impressive as MTH's. 

2-1/2 mile train, that's pretty impressive. Did the engineer have any opinions or comments about the train and it's length?

I have never seen the Lionel and MTH side by side, but I'm glad you think the MTH is the better looking one as that is what I have. 

rtr12 posted:

wrawroacx posted:

rtr12 posted:

Same for me, only I live right near several BNSF tracks and that is what I have on my layout for the most part. Nothing personal against CSX. Also the reason I have mostly MTH engines and rolling stock. Lionel seems to make very little in the way of BNSF and MTH has more than I can afford! Also BTW, nice pictures and it was pretty cool you got to talk to the engineer while you were there. I enjoy a lot of the pictures and videos you post as well.

Yea, he was talking to me about the length of trains CSX are doing. His train here was 14,000 feet long or 2 and a half miles long. When I seen him go by when I drove up to Unionville, he was going 50MPH and it took him 3 to 4 minutes to pass. But yes, I agree with you with MTH and Lionel. One thing Lionel's GEVO and MTH's are different is, if you do a side by side comparison, something about Lionel's version looks a little shorter and also doesn't look as impressive as MTH's. 

2-1/2 mile train, that's pretty impressive. Did the engineer have any opinions or comments about the train and it's length?

I have never seen the Lionel and MTH side by side, but I'm glad you think the MTH is the better looking one as that is what I have. 

For the engineer mentioned to me that 2-1/2 miles long is way to long. He said his train should be split in half and make 2 trains.

Hot Water posted:

I'm sure that the various 3-Rail model manufacturers are NOT going to rush into producing any of these "experimental" Tier 4 models, until both GE and Progress Rail/Caterpillar finalize the designs of the real locomotives. 

Well to add to this, the ET44AC's & ET44AH's are already out on the main Class 1's, but the SD70ACE-T4's are still in experimental testing. I believe though UP does have a few out. 

Will Lionel make the SOO LINE GP30, GP35, U30C, and SD40 models before or after the new SD70ACe-T4s?

Andrew

falconservice posted:

Will Lionel make the SOO LINE GP30, GP35, U30C, and SD40 models before or after the new SD70ACe-T4s?

Andrew

I know what you mean. Yes, they should be bring out other models. I just wanted to put up this idea for the Tier 4 ET44AH's and ET44AC's.

How many demonstrator and railroad schemes can they produce?

wrawroacx posted:

For the engineer mentioned to me that 2-1/2 miles long is way to long. He said his train should be split in half and make 2 trains.

I was wondering if that might be what he thought about the long train, I think I would have to agree with him!

You can probably bet Mike will not spend the $$$$$ on the tooling, he didn't for the ES44's HS Heritage units.  And on one of the SD70's could not get the paint correct.  And I am a big MTH fan making this comment!

falconservice posted:

How many demonstrator and railroad schemes can they produce?

Well, the CSX 3345 I saw in Mentor which I posted photos of came out in Nov 2015 as seen in the builders plate photo. That's not a demonstrator. NS also has ET44AH's and ET44AC's already out.