Mth triplex

hello guys and gals.........

Are the 3 sets of drivers powered or just the first 2 ?

the woman who loves the S.F.#5021

Tiffany

All three sets are powered on the Premier version.  I have all 5 versions of the Erie  The last one I purchased for 650 on ebay  Most of the first release go for about 800-900

I would love to see picture of the gray boiler version if you have it.  What is the correct color scheme for the Erie ?

Its hard to tell because all the pictures are in black and white of these engines.  I hate the original Russian blue  I like the gray but my favorite is the all black.

Well...I guess I am the rare one that likes the Russian blue version.  They are all nice regardless!  I purchased mine from a OGR forum member for about 800.00.  It is my favorite steam engine right now and believe it or not, it goes through a 054 switch..

With all of the drivers and two smoke units, it is the most interesting locomotive to watch...get one, you won't be sorry!

Alan

>>>The triplexes were were among the last, and probably the largest, engines built with Russian Iron boiler jackets.  The bright finish of the iron was rather reflective.  The "blue" finish was a metallic blue paint that was intended to duplicate Russian Iron reflecting a bright blue sky.<<<<

To get a good perspective of the true color of Russian Iron, check out the all color book published by Morning Sun "Trackside around Detroit"

In 1923 Henry Ford had 10 USRA switchers produced in Russian Iron for his new Flat Rock assembly plant and for the DT&I RR which at the time he owned.

Henry Ford kept these engines in pristine condition throughtout their running life.

Book has a few beautiful color shots taken in the mid 40's that capture its true blue color and brilliance.

Joe 

I have 3 now and have had up to 6. Great runners and pullers. Also have 2 on my outside layout. Great action and smoke. Go for it!   Joe

I have the 20-3360-1 set. The engine is a behemoth; it runs (and looks) like clockwork. I've only had two service issues:

1.  When I first got it, the engine smoke came out from under the front of the boiler. This was because the engine smoke unit was misaligned with the stack. I had to open the boiler shell to correct it.

2.  The tender smoke unit failed. This is very unusual for an MTH product. Don't know why it happened.

It's very impressive on the layout when everything works.

i have both the first produced erie triplexes-the premium and railking-both are great runners and smokers-the only minor complaint i have is that the premium,s tender smoke unit clogs and i have to blow into it to make it operate but i love both engines and would not sell them

Count me in the group that likes the blue Erie version from the first run. I regretted not getting it when the engine was first released and looked for the blue version at York for at least three years and finally found a new one at Vince's tables.

Since I was running strictly TMCC at the time of purchase (Legacy was not then available), I walked down the aisle a few feet at York and gave the engine to TAS to convert. This engine catches the eyes of every visitor to the layout as they have never seen anything like this engine.

Aaron's Trains in Ohio recently listed that he has new Erie Triplex sets. If you have a chance to get one, I sure would if I were you.

Good luck in your search!

As you can see I went with Russian Blue version and have a Angus in Russian Blue on order as a companion.  The "Russian Iron is an interesting metallurgical "process."

From B&W (actually Gray Scale) photos I have found it is evident that the boiler is a different gray scale than the cab and tender.  Of course some other photos seem to have one consistent gray scale except for smoke box.

A very interesting, no actually fascinating model to watch running.  Three sets of drivers with corresponding flashing movement of valve gear and a puffing smoke stack at each end! 

none of the triplex in the 2008 catalog show a grey boiler,  does any one have picture of the production model in both the greversion lack version.

Here is a photo of my Erie Triplex, first version, in Russian Blue for a comparison.

I have the Triplex, 20-3360-1E, which has the five Erie coal cars and bobber caboose which listed for $1499.95 in the 2008 Catalog, Vol. 2. The Angus 0-8-8-0, 20-3118-1 uncataloged. As PRRron bh states, "they are fascinating to watch", especially when paired as a pusher with the 2-8-8-8-2. Both are in the Russian blue colors.

First photo was taken on Mercer Trains' layout, this was first time the locomotive was out of the box.

The 'Angus' was out of the box for pictures only.

Hi Mike,

The "grey" version is still blue.  It's just less blue than the original "blue" version.  If you see them side by side they're easy to tell apart, but the "grey" version by itself still looks blue.

Now online MTH info shows 20-3361-1 as black and the description calls out as "Erie (Black)."  The "latest" catalog shows as 2008 Volume 2.  The product locator identify three dealers that have these.

I also seem to recall the the Virginian version is black.

The scale version is wet your pant's gorgeous.

If the price bothers you I have the smaller Railking

versions. It's smaller and does not have the smoking

tender, but it's half the price and will run on 036 fast track...

>>The "grey" version is still blue.  It's just less blue than the original "blue" version.  If you see them side by side they're easy to tell apart, but the "grey" version by itself still looks blue.<<

The MTH model of the "999" is the one with the grey boiler.

Joe