MTH U25b's, and potential special runs

If MTH would commit to do part with fixed pilots and kadees, I think there would be more takers.  Scale wheels could be a side sale item.
IMHO of course. 🤔

They actually have the tooling to do fixed pilots.   While this engine is too long  to operate with fixed pilots in 3 rail, with a curvature less than about 0-63, I can ask them about making available a kit with 2 rail wheels and the fixed pilot pieces....

beth

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

They actually have the tooling to do fixed pilots.   While this engine is too long  to operate with fixed pilots in 3 rail, with a curvature less than about 0-63, I can ask them about making available a kit with 2 rail wheels and the fixed pilot pieces....

beth

I’ve earlier run models that came with scale wheels and fixed pilots. I swapped out the scale wheels for my 3 rail layout. I use 072 and 096 curves and utilize curved 072/096 turnouts to “expand” my options.
A kit would be better than nothing but I’d prefer product delivered with pilots fixed.
A kit from the factory painted for a Specific model would be good as paint would match perfectly.

Here’s the goal - one of my MTH 3rail beauties with fixed pilot and kadees !!!

@TrainBub posted:

Here’s the goal - one of my MTH 3rail beauties with fixed pilot and kadees !!!

This is exactly what I would want but only in Penn Central with WHITE mating worms logo. Fixed pilots, long handrails, kadees, and hi rail wheels. MTH used to do that back in the day. Why not now? If MTH would do this, I would preorder A Penn Central u25b.  Guess I would settle for a u25b since I cant seem to talk any dealer  into doing a Penn Central RS-1.

I guess I’ll offer a counterpoint. I’d buy one if it could do O-31 curves. I don’t even mind the Premier cost versus Railking. I’d like a U-boat in bloody nose SP. But I’m O-31.

MTH needs to start offering fixed pilots and handrails again. These engines look to nice to have toy pilots.   I have some of their scale wheel diesels and run them on 3 rail or 2 rail tracks.  

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track I will take 3 SF road numbers in fixed pilots if you can get them run.

@Mark Holmgren 110217 posted:

I guess I’ll offer a counterpoint. I’d buy one if it could do O-31 curves. I don’t even mind the Premier cost versus Railking. I’d like a U-boat in bloody nose SP. But I’m O-31.

They used to offer them both ways. Why not do that again - especially if it generates more orders ???

Fixed pilot kits sound great.  Any chance the PRR could have the train phone antennas?

I only have one diesel on my pike, and it's a small switcher with fixed pilots.  I'd have more diesels if MTH or Lionel with include easy conversion to Kadee and fix pilots.  Those swinging pilots just kills the look of those diesels.  I have the large curves to handle it so if anyone is listening?   Sorry but not a fan of AtlasO and I can't afford 3rdail which I know both come with the option to covert.

@Glenn Fresch posted:

MTH needs to start offering fixed pilots and handrails again. These engines look to nice to have toy pilots.   I have some of their scale wheel diesels and run them on 3 rail or 2 rail tracks.  

Be nice to see your examples with the fixed pilots !!! 🤔 😉

Hi Beth, If you can get these done in Scale wheels with fixed pilots for 2R operation I would take 2 in EL, 2 in Chessie, and 2 in Great Northern if you could get them done. I would also continue to purchase other models if offered in 2R. I started a post not long ago asking MTH why they weren't offering scale wheels anymore. It sounds like they are open to it if a dealer makes the MOQ order which seem to be somewhere between 50-75 units total.

What I REALLY want to see is a continuation of scale wheel steam engines. I'll buy just about any PRR, Erie, or NYC scale wheel steam you bring out. I'd even commit to multiple road numbers on my more favorite engines like an Erie USRA Heavy Pacific or NYC Hudson, or PRR anything... I'd be in for 3-4 PRR H-10s in fact.

I’ll take several in any SF paint scheme. Fixed pilots or no.

A fixed pilot option is sure sale from me

@Mark Holmgren 110217 posted:

I guess I’ll offer a counterpoint. I’d buy one if it could do O-31 curves. I don’t even mind the Premier cost versus Railking. I’d like a U-boat in bloody nose SP. But I’m O-31.

Hmmm. I just checked the MTH features tab for this model. As issued, it requires minimum O42 curves.

@jonnyspeed posted:

Hi Beth, If you can get these done in Scale wheels with fixed pilots for 2R operation I would take 2 in EL, 2 in Chessie, and 2 in Great Northern if you could get them done. I would also continue to purchase other models if offered in 2R. I started a post not long ago asking MTH why they weren't offering scale wheels anymore. It sounds like they are open to it if a dealer makes the MOQ order which seem to be somewhere between 50-75 units total.

What I REALLY want to see is a continuation of scale wheel steam engines. I'll buy just about any PRR, Erie, or NYC scale wheel steam you bring out. I'd even commit to multiple road numbers on my more favorite engines like an Erie USRA Heavy Pacific or NYC Hudson, or PRR anything... I'd be in for 3-4 PRR H-10s in fact.

Hi Jonnyspeed,
Thanks for popping into this thread. I’ve been contributing into the topic you started. A lot of good crossovers. I’ll encourage everyone here to check it out - MTH and “Scale Wheels” related.
It would be great if a 50-75 Total MOQ is correct. Especially if that could be, say 5 different roads. It would be even better For All if those 5 could be split into a scale closed pilot version and a swinging pilot version.  There’s only Modest assembly differences (IMHO) and the both would have the advertised 3/2 capability. It should actually be cheaper for MTH to build a model without the 3rail couplers.

So, what is the overall general consensus for a road name?

Generally 036 R will allow a 42 R in most cases.  If there is a kit for the fixed pilot, modelers can make the change.  I prefer high rail wheels....

Beth,

I would be very interested in a Penn Central version!

Best,
Bryce

Beth, I also would be interested in Pen Central also'

Thank you'

Beth, would you consider doing a Chessie?

Fingers crossed for a P&LE and / or Chessie scheme!

Put in for a Conrail.  Hasn't seemed like the most popular in this thread but I'm intrigued.

There have been a number of requests for Conrail.   One of the 1st engines painted CR blue with the rail snail, was a U25b.

U25b, (early numbers), was one of the few, more modern, diesels to have the Pennsylvania Radio Phone Antenna.  Bowser Models, at one time, 20 + years ago, sold an antenna stanchion kit, to be used with brass rod, for an add-on antenna.   Something different.  The late issue, Weaver BP 20, also had the Radiophone Antenna.

I ordered a New Haven version yesterday at JR Jct in Syracuse.

Just remember - MTH in 2012 Volume 1 catalog had the Chessie U25B with PS3

20-20220-1 Powered - cab numbers 8108, 8113, and 8118

20-20220-2 Powered with scale wheels - same cab numbers as 20-20220-1

20-20220-3 Non-powered - cab number 8127

I have the powered version - cab number 8108 (3 rail version)

Be sure to request different cab numbers for a special run

I wonder why no one has offered for sale the Demonstrator paint schemes, there were two sets beautifully done.

a Red/ White Scheme : http://rrpicturearchives.net/s...ture.aspx?id=5448655

and a red/white/Silver scheme :  https://www.whiterosehobbies.c...51-with-loksound-nos

https://www.thedieselshop.us/U25B%20[196306]%20%28RFS,%20OCRSIE%29.pdf

rock island if no one else does it first. plus bn green would be nice.

Anyone besides me interested in Frisco ??? Here’s a HO model to see what to expect.
Gee !  It has a closed pilot 😮🫢🫣😉😉

I’d be in for two of these if offered !!!!

I would honestly like to see a Pittsburgh and Lake Erie U25.

Anyone interested in seeing unpowered units offered again ??? MTH offers unpowered F diesels for both “A” and “B” units. Why not other diesels ??? Everyone doesn’t need big power. I sure don’t. My empire is only 8x12.

1. P&LE will be put on the potential list.  They actually had early U28b's, that were built in U25b car bodies

2.  Non-powered units....MTH would do them if they thought there was the demand.    Considering that its not easy to even get 20 powered units of one railroad pre-ordered, non-powered units dont seem plausible at this time.

I'll be doing a mass email campaign about the U25's in the next week.  Then we'll see if the demand is there....

beth

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

1. P&LE will be put on the potential list.  They actually had early U28b's, that were built in U25b car bodies

2.  Non-powered units....MTH would do them if they thought there was the demand.    Considering that its not easy to even get 20 powered units of one railroad pre-ordered, non-powered units dont seem plausible at this time.

I'll be doing a mass email campaign about the U25's in the next week.  Then we'll see if the demand is there....

beth

Thanks Beth !!!!  
Lots of “action” on this thread !!!!!  That’s Great !!!  
These are Really nice models. Non powered units have been seeing premium prices in the secondary market. The demand could be there if offered. Won’t know unless they try !!!  I bet many would tack on an unpowered unit to go with a powered unit.  Not everyone needs big power.

Cheers 😉

Fixed pilots might stand a better chance to be resurrected than unpowered units. 🤔. Hope we see ……….😉

There are so many luscious road names that can be done with this model, hard to choose from.

Beth,

I have one MTH Premier U25B NYC R/N 2500 in 2 rail with a fixed pilot, predrilled for Kadees and the correct handrails. I would buy two more early NYC U25B's, R/Nos 2500-2529 if they had fixed pilots and were 2 rail, with different R/Nos than 2500, and of course Premier.

A four axle diesel may not require a swinging pilot on most layouts due to their shorter length, and a fixed pilot makes them MUCH better looking going down the track without that swinging pilot bouncing around.

(I would have ordered two Premier LATE NYC U25B's instead of the early road numbers, but they had two piece windshields, a shorter low nose, and a different handrail stanchion mounting, so the CORRECT R/N is really important, and the earliest series of low nose U25B's were classics.

A 2 rail U25B low nose in the GE demonstrator color scheme (in each road number) would also be an attractive option, and I am not aware that this locomotive with this color scheme has ever been offered in O gauge/O scale.

2 rail SP please.

If you did EL fixed pilot 3 rail I’m in