MTH vs Lionel vs Atlas O GP35s

I have two MTH Premier GP35`s and they are both great engines. NS GP35 is scale wheels version. I order also Lionel NS GP35 low nose version and i wait that very much. Here is our short video:

 

 

Oh, I've seen your videos!  Sweet!

I just bought the Lionel Santa Fe GP35.  Here is the forum link to some pictures.

 

All in all it is a nice unit with a good bit of detail. However, from the thread you can read that some would like more detail so for some the detail level is sufficient and for others it is not.

The MTH and Lionel units are nearly identical in terms of construction. Both MTH and Lionel units follow postwar FM trainmaster construction. They both have plastic cab/body atop a sheet metal chassis equipped with die cast metal fuel tank, trucks, truck side frames, and pilots. They both have all metal gearing. Twin vertically mounted motors drive the wheels.

The Atlas O unit has a hefty die cast metal chassis. With exception of the plastic body, the Atlas unit is all cast metal and is quite a bit heavier than the Lionel or MTH units. In this regard the Atlas units are superior.

 

MTH, Lionel, and Atlas all have an electronics package. The electronic package is located between the two can motors in all three units. All three share the same construction again in this regard. MTH has DCS system, Lionel the Legacy system, and the Atlas unit has Trainmaster Command Control.

 

Since I just received my GP35 one would think that your NS GP35 by L would be on its way soon.

I have a set in the "Bookend Patch" scheme. I figure if I spot one in the Blue/Yellow Warbonnet scheme in 2-rail, I'll grab it. The detail is pretty good. There are movable mirrors on the cab and the rear truck is very close to the rear pilot as with the prototype.

 

Operationally, the units will creep along at 2 SMPH without stuttering. I opted for the scale-wheeled models and used Kadee 745's up front and 743's (short box) on the rear. 

 

Here's the "inventory shot". I've been pretty busy and haven't shot any video of them in service. Unfortunately, three shipped from MTH with the same road number so I'm working on changing the numbers on two of the units.

 

Atlas all the Way for the Santa Fe. I did not want to crash the party on the other thread about the New Lionel GP35, But they Missed it on not painting the nosetop and walkway Blue.

 

I agree, I was lucky enough to find an Atlas, but now I need some others to fill in the power lineup. Hence, the side-by-side shot request with the MTH.  Hopefully, they're close enough that they'll look "right".

Thanks,
Mario

I had forgot that MTH did a Yellowbonnet - All that I could dig up was the catalog photo with Alco trucks.  They got the nosetop and walkways colors correct on their Santa Fe U25B, SD45 and SD40-2, I would assume the same on the GP35. I would like to see a photo though.

Ok, so the Atlas O Master (Powered/TMCC/RS4) and MTH Premier (non-powered / lighted) are close...

 

The only visual details that are visibly different are the nose logo (MTH is bigger / higher), the handrails (MTH are smaller / Atlas are more robust), and the Atlas has cab sunshades.  Some of the more fine differences are the MTH's long hood is wider, the MTH has a radio antenna, the horns are slightly difference,

 

Is the plow correct or the standard front pilot?

 

Sorry for the grainy pictures, I forgot my camera.  I'll try and get better shots if someone wants them.

 

The Atlas is the 6135, and should be on the left in most of the photos.

 

 

 

 

They'll run just fine together...

 

At least on later units, the larger/higher herald is correct.  NYC 6135 became number 2379 in the renumbering, and 6142 became 2386.

 

 

 

Next up... comparisons between the Lionel and MTH NYC RS11s.

 

Thanks,

Mario

 

 

 

I did not realize that MTH ever offered models of EMD GP35 units equipped with former ALCO trucks.  Very nice!!

All that I will say, is that I have a Lionel Legacy GP35, and it is a thing of great beauty, with amazing sound, voluminous smoke, and wonderful performance. 

I'd love the Lionel units... Some day.

Plow or no plow?  I tried to watch NYC Odyssey volume 2 last night, but fell asleep! I noticed the GP30s didn't have plows, and I think I saw that the 35s didn't, either.

Thanks,
Mario

 

No plow.

 

 

MTH:

FYI – Variations exist between companies on the latest power and dummy units.

 

Both companies have oversights. I buy MTH power units and Lionel Dummies.

My MTH PS3 B&O dummies have a design issue where the rear side trucks were put on a grinder in China to make them fit next to the rear steps. Not much brake shoe metal left.

 

Two B&O 35’s just back from MTH, they didn’t fix any of the detailed issues. Had to tie wrap the new replacement coupler after they changed it. PS3 GP-35’s new style rollers don’t run over Gargraves switches without hesitation. I had to file the roller housing plastic to fix the issue.

Uncoupling issues due to coupler – frame rub on O42 curves– They filed the metal and didn’t re-test it.  

 

MTH - No cab shades.

MTH – Has plows, figures, cab lights, lighted number boards on dummies with switch, stack grilles.

Lionel - No plows, figures, lights or stack grilles on dummies, higher price.

 

Both companies continue to have un-coupling issues even after being sent in for repair and another style coupler was installed. I had to add tie wraps to the Lionel’s when they came back from Lionel repair.

So it’s a toss-up between the two.

I can’t speak for Lionel power units other than the high price.

 

 

       
       


I dont get why Atlas couldnt put all the roof details on the Santa Fe's??? They got it right on GP60's. I can paint the nose and walkways blue, especially if I have to add all the details anyway.

All the details on top the Santa Fe units such as air conditioners and such did not get put there until Santa Fe rebuilt the units as GP35u in the mid 1980's.

 

Here is a picture of Santa Fe GP35 #3332 bonnet with the dress blue siblings. The only detail that the Lionel or Atlas units are missing is the strobe light on top. Horns and everything of both the Atlas and Lionel units are placed correctly.  Pic is from railnet. I have been able to find pictures that pretty much match both the Atlas and Lionel units. 

 

 

 

Both the Atlas and Lionel units are perfectly reasonable GP35's as they were prior to being rebuilt. 

 

If one wants a GP35u, then they will have to move the horns, and put all the roof top details on top the roof. 

 

I like the Atlas unit due to its cast metal frame and I like the Lionel units due to the LionTech truck design.