Should I buy? (MTH SD70ACE)

It is my favorite engine. I have it with 9 of the husky stacks. Here is it on my test track. https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/12270977817180292

Mike -

The set lists for 399.95 on the MTH website.  Most dealers would discount it up to 10%, which would bring it down to about $360.  So your guy is giving you another 10 bucks off.  Although my NS SD70 is the Premiere version, it looks very impressive on the rails because of its length and its black finish that makes it seem even more massive.  It has great sound, and it's smooth running at low speeds, a strong puller.  I think the Premiere version alone was $429 before discount, so I don't what the differences are.  Most of the time it's just added detail and maybe more realistic trucks and a few extra lights.  Anyhow, if you like it, you're getting a few bucks off.  See if he'll do it for $325.  Doesn't hurt to ask.  I have a few Rail King diesels and a Rail King steam with many miles on them, and have never had any problem with them.

Mike 

Yes!  I have a Railking SD70Ace and absolutely love it.

The RK SD70s are top notch. MTH's First and so far only Imperial diesel. I've got the BNSF PS2 version from the Husky Stack set released in November 2010. I believe some of the earlier sets had paint issues on the SD70 but MTH is aware of it. My engine had major paint issues a few months ago and MTH, no questions asked, replaced the shell free of charge despite being way out of warranty. I've pulled 50+ cars with it without an issue. It spent all of last Christmas on the Christmas layout, and racked up a significant amount of miles.

I am kind of where you are in the hobby, I think, i.e. 'new.

I have seen these in person:  CSX, Western MD and NS.  All very nice.  I have not seen running, but I suspect very good quality operation. LHS told me they ran very well.  Details are excellent.  Price wise, seems fair to me.  I would buy it and if not happy you can turn around and sell here or at your local auction web site.  If there is a reason you do not want to get it, then do not.  If you are asking if quality and operation are good, my opinion is that you will be happy.

you won't be dissapointed with the engine. Can't help you with cost.

I would buy it no doubt about it before I could even say SD70ACE. I have the U.P version and love it. It works great with DCS and great in conventional too. They smoke great and sound like the real thing. The detail and lighting effects are really top notch. I paid $250.00 for mine and it was worth every penny. I will definitely buy more so I can run them as lashups with DCS. You can see mine running in this video I took. 

I have the Union Pacific and the CSX Sd70ace sets.  These engines are incredible, just flat out awesome!  I have 8 Ps2 engines, when this 2.0 engine fired up it definitely wowed me! The Railking SD70's are fantastic.  I originally bought the UP SD70Ace and an Amtrak F40 sets at Christmas but set got damaged in shipping by UPS. The F40 PS2 Amtrak set didn't compare by any means.  I decided the SD70Ace was a much better option than the F40 set so went with the CSX SD70Ace set.  My layout is all Realtrax and the SD70Ace navigates the entire layout and 15 switches flawlessly - (not the case with the F40).  

If he's saying $250 for everything but the cars and you've developed a good relationship i would certainly go for it.  That engine sells on for $235-$290 (eBay), in this case he was good enough to split the the cars out and give you a great price - the three cars sell for $135-160 on eBay, hobby shops want around $55 each.  If he's giving you the (NEW) locomotive, track, lock-on, IR remote and receiver, plus the z-500 power supply you should do it, you could easily sell everything but the engine for $75-$85...

I'd like to get a deal like that on the Husky cars like you did (about $33 each), been looking for a couple of UP and CSX Husky cars.

I have the Premier versions (Katy/UP, CNW/UP, Bush 41/UP, ATSF Isle of Denail, and Demonstrator). They're all great. A couple of members have the Rail King Imperial versions (which I believe are the ones used in the sets.) They look, sound, and run great. Unless the Premier unit is parked next to it, from a distance you can't tell what it is -- the MTH size compression was very well done. You can't go wrong buying one.

It got harpooned by something!  . I bought it for an ogr sponsor seller - Aaron's train City, I took pictures of the gaping hole before i even attempted to open the box and then opened the inner carton and there was the sealed set and that too had the harpoon hole...  went right through individual Railking engine box and into the styrofoam and right into the wheel set of engine.  It was a sad sight.

The seller was very nice about out it, I had to file a claim with UPS and they picked it up the next day, not sure what UPS did with it once they picked it up?  Not sure how that works but Aaron's got reimbursed after a couple of days and then they sent me the replacement.  

Another thumbs up for the MTH SD70ACe

I got mine in the N/S Freight starter set with ps3.  I paid $348 for the set with shipping thru Mario's.  It runs incredibly smooth at slow speeds, makes massive smoke and has very good crew chatter/PFA.  One of the crew guy's accents is thick enough that it was almost unintelligible at first...but I like it, cause to me it adds to the freight yard 'feel' (much more natural than my 4-6-0 Pennysylvania's freight talk).  The engine sounds are great, and it runs just fine on O31, but looks like a monster doing it.  Very good choice!

Robert

well i like mine here is video of it

yes.

$348 is good number for the set

Since you brought up cab talk I have a quetion, can I edit one of the PFA first words?  I have two of these engines (dfferent road names) and the cab PFA says "aaa - how many carz you got dare". "aahh I got eight cars"... Very cool chatter for one engine but would like to mix it up for the other.

Does the PFA (3.0 set) first start out this with these same sound clips?   Are the PS2 engine sounds of the same recording as the newer PS3?  I would like to mix up the talk on both engines and possibly dowload an altogether different sound package for he other.  Only would do this if the sound quality was as awesome as on the original.

The first things friends say and clearly hear the identical chatter (and they lip sinc the "how many cars got there , aaa got eight cars").

Can you put a PS3 file in a PS2 engine?

Hi Litegide24, I want to say it sounds like ken vs ryu's clip above (although I can't seem to recall if it went on as long as that one).  I've been pre-occupied with a steamer and haven't run it in a couple weeks, so I'll see if I can make a clip of the PS3 version this weekend.  I don't seem to recall the car count though.

I have the Railking UP version and it is awesome!!! Buy it!

I bought a BNSF set for my father in law for Christmas. It is a great engine with awesome sounds.

Mike, YES I would buy the engine!  My wife and I have 6 of the Railking SD70Ace engines.  They all run great and for the price you can't go wrong. We have never had a problem with any of them.  We would highly recommend the engine. We are looking forward to getting the NS Heritage engine which we should get any day.

Ralph & Laura

All of the superlatives are warranted...I have the CSX SD70ace set and the engine is truly great.

You can't go wrong.  Enjoy!

I have the Heritage Series in the WP road name.  Matt

Matt, Absolutely beautiful engine you have, I'd like to get the heritage CNW, the silver makes the paint scheme pop.  Very nice, do you have the matching caboose.

Brad,

I like your variety of the Lionel TTUX and RK Husky cars, looks good.

Ralph & Laura,

6! Thats quite a bit, but pretty neat at the same time.  Do you have any dummys or are they all powered?  If any dummys, where did you get them?  Eventually I'd like to have more than one at the head of my train.

Chris,

You may have, they were on an endcap next a set of the BNSF Husky stacks.  They had $125 listed but went down to $100.  He already had a set break-up Norfolk Southern and BNSF engines on the table.  I have not been to Brady's trains, but I did just buy another NS Husky car and it was from them.  Got in on eBay and since I live about 20 minutes from there, I received it in 2 days.  Would definitely buy from them again.

Mike

Sounds from a UP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGDsNFA4NDY&feature=share&list=UUTXhipGFojgyVCe9p37Ds1A

Ralph,

Thanks!  I see some that are hi-rail on there.....and eBay.  Either better than the other? Hi or not?

Thanks,
Mike 

Ok, thanks, I didnt realize that the hi rail meant they were the Premier version, that helps a lot, so do the model numbers!  I plan on sticking with the Railking.

I have the RailKing Imperial Alaska SD70ace.  A very fine locomotive in every respect.  No complaints at all.

Mike, I thought you might like to see a photo of our engines.  When the engines are not on out very small layout I have them in a curio cabinet.

Did you get one yet? It sounds like the general consensus thinks you should get 1,maybe 2  

Great idea Ralph and thank you!  Nice collection

Brad, not yet, I have to call the guy again but probably within the next 2 weeks

Think about it like this:

For $200 you are getting the engine, w/ sounds, two elec couplers etc....for the price of the board.

For another $50 you get the track (12 piece at even $3 each is $36.00), any cars, lockon, DCS lite and transformer!!! (a transformer!!)

Either one is a deal, together, a great deal. No, actually...a no brainer. MTH sets are the pick of the litter when it comes to prices and bargains! Have been for years. 

Does not take much thought in my mind. Greg (Unless you are spending the rent/food money, in which case you should pass! That is why it is called " disposable income." )

Another cool engine I suggest is the SD70M.  I have the MTH Premier in my own road name...the Brisbane & Bushong Railroad.  Matt

Thats a great way to look at it.  However, "disposable income" is more like "a very little extra" for me haha.

Really, really cool.  How did you do that?  

By the way, your weathered rails look great!