Premier versus "scale" RailKing engines ???

I like 'em, I will say that.  I realize not all Railking models have to be compressed and I'm glad some are scale - RK is a super value in most cases I think. I'm nearly entirely into scale locos and rolling stock and so I really appreciate this. Maybe not all the detail and "separately applied parts" you would expect today on Premier-priced locos, but that is fine by me - most of that gets lost on you when the loco sweeps by at a scale 50 mph anyway.

If you consider that MTH never retooled this into a more detailed Premier model, this is your only chance to buy a dash-7 at a reasonable price with updated electronics.  

Now if you take the dash-8 railking scale, that makes no sense.  Why save $100 when you could have a much better (more accuracy and detail) engine for just a little bit more?  

Either way, you can't blame MTH for re-using old Premier tooling, especially in the dash-7 case.  If you have DCS for example, its the only practical way to get a dash-7 onto your roster and running in your layout.

The only thing I dont like about the railking C30-7 is the axle spacing doesnt look right.

It also gives you another shot at some of the engines that were originally released in smaller numbers. On the flip side, it gives MTH more value out of its original tooling.

They've been doing that with a few of their old PS1 models (SD45, FP45, C30-7, SD60, SD9, GP9).

It's too bad that the C30-7 hasn't been done in Premier. You can make it look better by adding a Lionel U33C fuel tank or Atlas Dash 8 tank.

MTH has been doing this for a while IIRC.....I like it.....but most MTH locos are out of my comfort range today.....

It would also be nice to see somebody do the much-less-produced B36-7 (3600HP!)

Flash, where was that picture taken? Looks a lot like Mojave CA.

I'd really like to see a B23-7.

I look forward to MTH doing more of the scale RK line.

Comments Appreciated:

At one time it was my understanding that the RailKing line was limited to engines that would run only on conventional O-27 layouts.  It also included predominantly smaller, less detailed and "shorter" non-scale rolling stock. 

Now it appears that this distinction is not always the case. Witness the new "scale" RailKing diesels and Imperial RailKing engines.

RailKing used to mean "not to scale" while Premier ENGINE were always to scale.  Most original RK was selectively compressed but some equipment was actually oversized (e.g. 1800's era equipment).  Premier rolling stock was usually scale but occasionally was shortened for typical home layouts (e.g. 72 streamlined passenger cars).

The best (IMHO) RailKing Scale diesel is the Alco RS-1.  It has separate grab irons, smoke, lighted number boards, coupler cut levers, deck tread, and cab crews, just like a Premier level diesel.  The only features missing to make it a true Premier diesel are cab interior lights, and pre-drilled holes and pads for Kadee couplers.

Stuart

Martin H has it on the definitions. And RK products start with 30- and Premier with 20-, easy to differentiate. Easy to tell the difference, unlike Lionel.

This RK Scale locomotive thing is not a new thing at all; it's been around for several years.

It's a great idea, especially for those of us to whom extreme and often delicate

detailing means little, so far as the essential -image- of the prototype is present.

Unfortunately for those of us who are mostly about steam the RK Scale group is a

diesel show, almost entirely. I can understand this, actually.

Almost? Though I do not believe that they were ever marketed as "RK Scale", both the

MTH USRA 0-8-0 and the low-end version of their USRA 0-6-0 were/are both full

O-scale items. These are, of course, small or small-ish locos, and can take very

sharp curves. The RK 0-6-0 is not the same tooling as the true Premier version of the

0-6-0, and the 0-8-0, while a nice model, is simplified in its detailing. 

My favorite is the VO1000

My one eyed, one horn, flying purple people eater.... Patiently waiting for decals for a planned re-paint job. While the RK may lack details, the PS2 on RK provides all of the same features as the Premier version.

Gilly