The down side of MTH engines with scale wheels

The scale-ish locos just need to be run in the proper environment. They are designed for a more
realistic/less forgiving layout world. One must use the appropriate tools, and not bring a knife
to a gunfight. 3% grades, or the locomotive, are just inappropriate.

I heartily agree that the looks are an improvement, but until your layout is changed...

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even more disappointing the really anemic pulling ability without rubber traction tires-maybe 4-5 cars up a 2.5-3.0 degree slope.

bullfrogsnot

Russ,

I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of the scale wheels version. I have the Lackawanna Hi-Rail version.

I have a MTH CN ES44DC scale wheels locomotive, and I really like the look of the scale wheels. I also have the Hi-Rail version of the CN ES44DC model; and I like both models.

I knew the scale wheels version came without MTH's remotely controlled coupler, and I installed Kadees... BTW, I can't remember if the mounting screws for the Kadee couplers came with the model... you might just have to purchase the couplers.

I bought some Hi-Rail wheels, in case I want to swap out the scale wheels.

Besides, the fixed pilot on the scale wheels model, I think the scale wheels are a major feature favorite for me; and I have no plans to change the wheels for the Hi-Rail versions. If you need more power to move your trains... you might want to add some additional powered units into the train.

Forty-six of my 47 locomotive models are Hi-Rail. I like the remote coupler capability, but I really like the overall look of the scale wheels models. I'm debating on getting one of MTH's new Premier UP or CAT SD70ACe models, from the 2012 Vol. one catalog, that come with PS3. Hi-Rail or scale wheels, I haven't been able to decide, yet.


Rick

I have a few with scale wheels with more coming. Each has had no problem pulling 8 Atlas scale-wheeled cars (read, heavy cars) on the club layout. Where problems happen is overly-sharp curves and/or uneven track, or overly-steep grades. Our mainline grades are 1.5% and the mountain branch is a little over 2%. You'll be subject to slipping on a steep grade, especially if curves are part of the grade. I don't know whether or not the hi-rail wheelsets have traction tires.

As for couplers, the scale-wheeled diesels come with the screws to mount Kadee couplers on the pilots. They're in the bag with the snow plow. The best option is to use Kadee 804 or 805 couplers and shave about 1/8" off the rear of the box to clear the three-rail coupler mount on the truck blocks. You can also use a Kadee 806 coupler which has a shorter box, but it also has a shorter shank that doesn't provide as much swing. As it stands, even my 6-axle diesels can handle 36" radius (O-72) curves fine using modified Kadee 805's.

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Hopefully the high rail conversion kit has rubber traction tires

Yes, they do come with traction tires.

Russ -

I just picked up an MTH FM Trainmaster last week, and it quickly became one of my favorite diesels. I have the high rail wheels, and I just pulled 25 cars on a 1% grade without any issues. It seems to be a very strong puller.

I really like the scale wheel look as so much more prototypical, but I'm not ready for the Kadee couplers yet, and like the electro couplers. Don't know whether you considered Drew's bullfrog snot to help with the traction, but after seeing that video, I was impressed.

Just wanted you to know that the Trainmaster is capable of pulling quite a load.

Mike

The bullfrog snot video plays automatically when I click on the thread. Pretty strange because at first I didn't know where the audio was coming from.

I'm using Firefox. Does this happen to anyone else?

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Does this happen to anyone else?

Yep! Happened to me, as well.

In fact, it did it again just as soon as I posted this for the first time. Interesting!

Not to appear too stupid, but what was the video attempting to demonstrate?

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Originally posted by scrapiron:
Not to appear too stupid, but what was the video attempting to demonstrate?

That an HO engine pulls better with this snot stuff on the drivers?

The MTH FM is twelve wheel drive. Too bad the new Lionel version of the
scale Train Master is only eight wheel, and those from a couple years
back featured the ridiculous "one wheel drive". The original Lionel
FM demos were twelve wheel drive machines...and then they had to go El
Cheapo, and try to tell us we were getting a better chooch!

One other thing to be aware of with scale wheel diesels is that because the pilot does not "float" with the trucks, there may be a greater chance of the pilot striking the rails and shorting entering the grade. As suggested above, these engines weren't designed with some of the features of traditional toy train layouts in mind.

As for no traction tires, my solution is multiple unit consists. I like the more prototypical look of the RP25 wheels and never, ever, must I worry about throwing or replacing traction tires.

RM

Hopefully there will be a happy resolution to the traction dilemma. I will order the conversion high rail wheel set with the rubber traction tires. Sounds like the Trainmaster has the potential to be a puller, just like the original version. The larger flanges has never been much of an issue for me and on the Trainmaster the flanges are well hidden by the truck sideframes. Also probably easier than rebuilding the layout as D500 suggested. I am also toying with the idea of creating a dummy high rail compatible coupler that will take the place of the Kadee but it does look like a tight fit with limited room for lateral movement. Maybe "graft" the dummy coupler on the Kadee shank. Anyway thanks to all for the advice. Russel