Premier U1F Mountain

Well, I seriously doubt you'll be able to run it on O36, that's a long shot.  As far as the 5V PS/2, you most certainly should be ready for the likelihood that sooner rather than later that board may well croak.

Out of the 5(?) MTH u1F numbered locomotives has made over the years, I have managed to the 3 proto-sound 2.0 ones (6060, 6076, 6079).  Yet to acquire the 2 proto-sound 3.0 ones (6069, ????) for my collection so couldn't provide any info on hardware performance comparison... 

The locomotive is quite big and long actually and wouldn't risk it (again) on O-36 track.  Even had a derailment or two on O-72 fastrack (but I blame the track segment on that one!).

It is a very handsome and well running engine though, If you find one for a good price definitely go after it.  Part of me just wants to slowly build up a full set of 20 (with unique car consists) and renumber the remaining 15 to their prototypical numbering.... (but with MTH gone that's pretty much just a crazy and impossible dream)

@VonFrank posted:

Does anyone own this engine? 20-3057-1

It's a beautiful piece and I've always kinda wanted one, but I don't know if it will fit on my layout.

The website claims a required curve of O-54.  Since MTH skips O-36 and goes right down to O-31 on their tolerances, I'm wondering if there's any chance this engine will actually work on my layout.

From O-54, MTH track does go to O-42 before it goes down to O-31.

I run my Railking Triplex on O-31 instead of the recomended O-42 but I  had to rework the pilot truck and some things on the tender.     I run it carefully on my O-27 6 foot oval test track.

Aside from what GRJ says about the 5 volt board , I  would be concerned about the smaller diameter track mostly because of the large diameter rigid mount drive wheels .

It is a handsome unit though John M. 🙄

I appreciate the responses so far!

Seems like, realistically, this engine wont work on O-36. I kinda figured so, but hoped this might be one of those rare exceptions where the engine functions on smaller curves than you would expect... The curse of living in a condo: never enough room for trains.

I'm also not too keen on the idea of the PS-2 board potentially failing on me at some point in the near future. Especially since this engine would be a used purchase.

I have the 6060, but my smallest curves are O-72. I doubt this locomotive would even negotiate O-42. It's a beautiful locomotive and 1 of few truly Canadian steam locomotives in O gauge; not just labelled for a Canadian road. If the 5 volt PS2 electronics fail, I'll upgrade it to PS3 (if available) or Blue Rail.