MTH's European Engines & Rolling Stock

I have had the European series 241 (French 4-8-2) for several months.  It is one of the most detailed, finely painted, and impressive locos I have.  It runs very well (PS3).  Sound is not equal to the best Lionel Legacy, but good.

The difference in scale 1:43 is significant when it is up alongside 1:48 scale locos.  It does not quite fit in so I don't leave it on the layout of run it too often.    

I mainly like American Trains, but I think MTH has made a very astute move...not to mention fun and interesting ... into HO, S and European O and HO.. I enjoy reading about all the Trains in their Catalogs and watching the Video reviews and promotions MTH, and LIONEL for that mater, makes..Another area I`d like to see MTH go is into European Tinplate..MTH`s quality, detail and Electronic Features are stellar in all of these Lines.. 

One idea that has always fascinated me is European locomotives in American road names.  Fascinating, for example to wonder about how a Reading or N&W Garratt locomotive would look.  Or maybe some of the many European electric locomotives lettered for NYC or NH.  The rationale, if one were needed, could be that the American roads were using the European motive power as test units.

Greetings Art,

MTH appears to be putting their best foot forward(whatever that means) when it comes to their European products.

A few years ago, I ordered one of MTH's then new Duchess class models; but, when it arrived, at my dealer's and was tested, she wouldn't start. Back it went; and, I never asked for a replacement.

So far, I haven't actually purchased a European model; but, I do think they look quite nice.

Rick

The concept of models of foreign prototypes decorated for North American roads is not a new one. A few examples in N scale follow.

An Italian diesel painted for New Haven by Lima:

http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/limadiesel.html

A Japanese diesel painted for Union Pacific:

http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/centercab.html

The Japanese locomotive was manufactured by Kato and distributed in the states by Con-Cor.

Bob

I just got the Traxx SBB "Cargo" electric and some tank cars and I'm very impressed. Excellent detail, smooth operation, and crisp graphics. I love the billboard effect with the single word "Cargo." The detail on the tankers is superb. I'd like to add a steamer when I can afford it - maybe one of the French or German passenger engines, or perhaps MTH will, someday, make a Beyer-Garratt. 

While I relabel nearly everything on my layout Union Pacific (I painted a Southern Crescent Pacific in flat black and re-lettered it, etc. . . .).  

I don't see doing that with European locos and have no interest in buying ones with Americna roadnames on them..  I'd love to have some UK locos but would leave them GNR, LNER, BR, etc. Similarly the French and German locos will remain in their European roadnames.  

 The Swiss 2 axle freight cars are impressive indeed; I've never seen such detail in a plastic model.  I would say MTH is being pushed hard by it's European partners to rival the quality provided by the finescale Eurpopean O manufacturers.