The MTH 2015 Volume One Catalog has been out about a week now and I am surprised no one has made any mention of this new MTH diesel smoke feature on the forum, or anywhere else.
In viewing the new MTH catalog, all Railking and Premier diesels with smoke units have the following feature, "Operating proto-smoke unit WITH 8 INTENSITY LEVELS" (emphasis mine). The operating protosmoke part is nothing new, but the "8 intensity levels"is new. The steam locomotives in the new catalog do not have this feature mentioned in there features section. I also checked the MTH 2014 volume two catalog to make sure the 8 intensity levels feature was not offered before. Sure enough, there was no mention of it in that catalog.
So I am correct this seems to be a new feature. There is no mention of it in the beginning of the new catalog where MTH usually mentions its new features, like the new quillable whistling steam for the future Big Boy, and new PROTO 3 upgrade kits. "New features and improved sounds" are mentioned, nothing about about 8 intensity levels for all Railing and Premier diesels that have smoke units. There was no mention made about it at the MTH booth last week at York.
Assuming the text in the new MTH catalog is not a mistake, the question becomes, what is this new feature and what does it do? I have no idea what it is. If this is indeed a new feature, MTH has not done a good job of publicizing it.
Post your responses below of what thou think it might be.
Thanks.
Erol Gurcan