New Video! Premier NYC Dreyfuss Set 1938

Very good looking set.

That is a really nice looking set. I was always a fan of the NYC Grey and blue striped colors.

These cars appear to match the engine which I think is a first for MTH. Any idea if these cars would match previous releases of the MTH Dreyfuss?

Pete

very nice

Thanks for the video.  I've yet to purchase either the engine or the cars.  I have the original PS-2 edition, and I put a lot of effort into replacing the "New York Central" name on the sleepers with "Pullman" from several Champs sets.  I was willing to do the work on the cars that came with the PS-2 engine, and the tail sign was the correct one for the "Century."

But on the new issue, a "Commodore Vanderbilt" tail sign on a train not only forever associated with the "Century," but one in which the PSA for the engine itself indicates it is the "Century," not the "Commodore!!??"  Sometimes I just don't understand MTH.  Where is the QA on stuff like this?

I'll admit though, the engine separate from the cars is tempting.

And always enjoy looking at one of the great hobby shops I've had the pleasure of patronizing on several Virginia-Michigan trips to pick up UM students/daughters.  Stockyard Express makes the suffering on the Pennsylvania (particularly) and the Ohio Turnpikes manageable.

We are doing some research on the train and we think that the reason for the Commodore Vanderbilt herald is the use of the same equipment on both trains. Also take note that the 5 car, 2 car and single add on cars are not available yet. Those will have 20th Century Limited as their herald and all of the coaches, particularly the sleepers, will have Pullman lettering. 

Always happy to see you stop by on your trips on the Turnpike! We are right in the middle of it after all!

Very nice set!  I like how MTH included the running lights above the drivers, sweet touch!

The whistle does not sound good to me, the sounds are the same as a standard gauge starter set I have. Nice looking though.

Fred

Quillable whistle?

Looks very nice.

I was looking at one of these at the MTH booth at York. The paint job is exquisite. if I didn't already have three Dreyfusses I would be getting at least one of these.

Pete

Nice video and review.  I have the loco and mine gave me lots of problems - dead out of the box (disconnected clip in the tender, fixed) and then a short after four hours of running (also fixed).  Its a nice loco though.  Good sound.  Great looking.

That is a great looking set!  Thanks for posting it. 

Great looking!

Art

It does have the quillable whistle we just forgot to play it during the video. It's alright but I think it will be much more fun once the DCS App is out!

We had problems with the first one we opened. Two of the wire fittings were too tall and touching the shell. Brian was able to bring them down though and now that one works perfectly.

Glad you are all enjoying it! There will be another video of this engine once the other cars get here. Hopefully we can have an 11 car train going around!

Okay, re the observation car, Doughty's "Great Steel Fleet 1948-1967" has an image of the "Commodore" at Englewood in '49 with the "refurbished observation car 'Thousand Islands' from the 1938 '20th Century Limited."  The car is in the "reverse" image of the '38 'Century,' with dark gray where light gray is and vice versa.  "Thousand Islands" has a "Pullman" letterboard.

Regarding the timing of the paint scheme change, Doughty writes, "In anticipation of the arrival of the new equipment, the 1938-era cars were gradually refurbished in 1946 and 1947 and repainted (first with a reversed gray--dark on top and bottom, light gray with pinstripes in the window band, then a second repainting when the pinstripes were removed).  These cars were placed in service and later integrated into the consists of the secondary trains, though for a time the 1938-40 '20th Century Limited' cars would be assigned to the second section of that train, the 'Commodore Vanderbilt' and the

Advance Commodore,' as well as the 'Southwestern Limited.'"

So the"Island"-series "Century" observation cars did run on the "Commodore" and just because I can't find an image in the original paint scheme doesn't mean they weren't found on the "Commodore."  (I've seen pictures of the "California Zephyr" with both FEC and PRR observation cars...so there is always the exception to the rule).  But explaining the "New York Central" letterboard may be a bit more of a stretch.

But those cars coming in the '38 scheme with "Pullman" letterboards, except (hopefully) on the RPO, baggage, and diner / lounge, does sound worthy of consideration.