PRR T-1 Duplex 20-3227-1

I have the PS/3 version, it has one set of grooved drivers on the rear set of drivers.  If there are no grooves, it wasn't designed for traction tires, but I find that really unusual! Truthfully, even with traction tires the T1 Duplex suffers from the same issue as the prototype, poor traction.

Why did you replace the drive block?  Did the old drive block have traction tires?  FWIW, the user's manual for the 2006 model "appears" to show tires on the last set of drivers, but it's hard to say from the pictures.

Is it scale engine?

It’s a premier so yes

Hey John,

the original wheels had some rot to them,

so I needed to replace them, and since the wheels don’t come individually I had to replace the drive block

and yes the manual shows the rear wheels having the traction tires,

but the original wheels had no groove either

this is the ps-2 version

The wheels have to have grooves or the tires won't be on there for more than about 50 feet of running!  Since I don't have a PS/2 version, I can't say for sure they have grooves, but I'd bet money and give odds that the stock PS/2 locomotive did indeed have at least one set of traction tires.

From the user's manual for the MTH 20-3227-1 T1 Duplex...

Thanks John,

the original wheels were pretty chopped up

but the drive wheels still showed no grooves in them

I can’t see the previous owner milling them down and I highly doubt it would be a coincidence that the new ones don’t have a groove either

its definitely a puzzle for me

once I’m home I’ll have to snap some pictures for you

I don't know how they ended up without grooves unless it was a manufacturing error.  I've never seen any modern (command equipped era) 3-rail steamer without traction tires, especially something like the T1 Duplex.  I'm sure that model was intended to have traction tires, I have no idea why yours doesn't.

Is this a scale wheel engine and not the hi-rail model?

I agree 100%

but you can’t get anyone at mth to talk to

I tried over a defective part for my big-boy

only through email and not very helpful

Not familiar with the term 'drive block' I picture an assembly with axle and wheels in place that you can swap out.  If that is so, is the other set of drivers an identical drive block that is physically the same except for  no traction tire grooves,  mistakenly put in by the factory and that is the replacement set they sent?

Hey guys got an answer from MTH

apparently I got the scale wheels so they are sending me out the right part

thanks for all of the input guys

Like I said, scale wheels.   I figured there had to be some reason you didn't have grooves for the traction tires.  You'll also notice that the new drive block will have much larger flanges on the flanged drivers.

Thanks John

That was my original question to you in post 3   I asked is it scale, you answered Premier.  They also have smaller flanges and do not do well on all track types.  G

I saw thank you

my mistake I took for granted that if it’s premier it’s scale

@GGG posted:

That was my original question to you in post 3   I asked is it scale, you answered Premier.  They also have smaller flanges and do not do well on all track types.  G

Well, the Hi-Rail engine is a scale engine as well, I think the key was does it have "scale wheels".   I finally tumbled to what was going on.  FWIW, the product number was also incorrect, the scale wheel version would have a different number.

Well to be honest they really are not perfect scale.  But terminology matters.  Could have said 2R or 3R but MTH tends to use Hi rail and scale wheels.   

@GGG posted:

Well to be honest they really are not perfect scale.  But terminology matters.  Could have said 2R or 3R but MTH tends to use Hi rail and scale wheels.   

Well, if you're gonna' nit pick.   I tend to look for scale wheels or Hi-Rail wheels since, as you say, that's how MTH describes them.