Good morning
I'm looking for information on the MTH operating milk car. Is it a good operator? nice and smooth? what activates the operation? Any issues or concerns? Does appear scale size? Kadee couplers possible?
Thank you
Clem
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Clem,
Regarding the MTH operating reefer cars...
Is it a good operator? nice and smooth?
Yes and yes.
what activates the operation?
An operating track section from just about any manufacturer.
Any issues or concerns?
None, really. It's slightly more difficult to add smoke fluid than with an engine, although you can quickly get the technique right.
Does appear scale size?
To me it does.
Kadee couplers possible?
I don't know for sure, although may Premier cars come with Kadee mounting plates.
I have several of these cars and have retrofitted them with ERR Mini Commanders for TMCC operation, without an operating track, anywhere on the layout. I recommend them as an excellent operating car.
I have the Rolling Rock reefer and can second everything Barry says. It's a very smooth operating car. It's on par with the K-Line dairy/milk cars in that it smoothly slides the cargo out of the car rather than forcibly ejecting it as with the Lionel milk car. I've had mine for a year and it's held up great. My only wish is that it held more than 4 pallets to unload.
Thank you Barry and Seattle
I like the idea of the mini commanders
Now I have to just find one
Clem
MTH and K-Line went with can motors to operate many of their operating cars, Lionel's being designed a LONG time ago typically use solenoids. That's why they have such different operating characteristics.
Yeah, I know they went with solenoids and vibra motors back in the day because that's all they had. What I don't understand is why they haven't switched to can motors since then. I bought a radar tower last year and the vibra motor made it louder than a real radar tower. Wound up replacing the motor with a can motor - huge improvement. I can see how in some situations the vibra motor is a simpler alternative. The barrel unloaded car is a good example. The ramp/vibra motor is no doubt simpler and less expensive than a conveyer belt.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
MTH and K-Line went with can motors to operate many of their operating cars, Lionel's being designed a LONG time ago typically use solenoids. That's why they have such different operating characteristics.
I have the beer version. It operates very smoothly. I have not used the smoke/fog feature, but the beer cases come out very smoothly. It is nicely scale sized. It was a crowd pleaser this year on the layout.
It uses both the sliding shoes and roller pick up to work, so I don't know how that would work with Kadee trucks. Here are the MTH instructions with nice diagrams.
http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...ction/20rs12555i.pdf
Also, here is the video on the MTH site.
http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...d/vid/20rs12555v.swf
Good luck!
Rick, Mpls.
