Wouldn't it be nice if Lionel made a Lionchief Plus Triplex that negotiated O31 curves?
They could make it in many of our favorite roads.
I'd like to have one make the circuit of my small layout.
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 | $499.99 | USED 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 - Erie Cab No. 5015 |
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| USED 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 - Erie Cab No. 5015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| USED 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 - Erie Cab No. 5015 This Engine is used but in Excellent condition. The box has some wear and does not come with original instruction sheets. We will give a 1 year Warranty with this engine and print a copy of the instructions. In 1914 the Erie Railroad accepted delivery of a gigantic Baldwin-built 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex steamer. The P1-class tipped the scales at 853,050 pounds, and the third set of eight drivers, placed under the tender, meant that 89 percent of that weight was available for adhesion. When the Erie saw plans for the Triplex, they thought it represented the perfect solution to their primary operating problem: hauling heavy freight over Susquehanna Hill, a route where a short, steep grade significantly reduced the capacity of most road steamers. The Triplex eliminated the need for additional pushers to help a load top the hill. The engine's articulation also meant that of the total driving wheelbase of 71' 6", only 16' 6" was rigid - ideal for the winding track over Susquehanna Hill. Best of all, because it distributed its weight over such a large number of wheels, it combined high tractive effort with moderate axle loads, which meant it ran well on reasonably light track. It was so successful on the Erie's tricky Susquehanna route that the railroad ordered two more Triplexes in 1916. The difficulty of maintaining full steam pressure combined with the cost of maintenance on what was essentially three engines in one led to the Triplex's retirement in 1927. This extraordinary O Gauge die-cast locomotive debuts in the RailKing lineup for the first time but with more detail than previous RailKing steam locomotives have possessed. In fact, this all-new locomotive will be the first in a series of RailKing Imperial Steam locomotives - each wonderfully detailed, yet affordably priced. Did You Know? The Triplex was engineered to haul 640 fifty-ton cars in a train almost five miles long, but because the draft gears of the early twentieth century could not have handled such a load, the 2-8-8-8-2 was never put to a full test. Features - Die-Cast Boiler and Tender Body - Die-Cast Metal Chassis - Authentic Paint Scheme - Metal Wheels and Axles - Constant Voltage Headlight - Die-Cast Truck Sides - Remote Controlled Proto-Couplerr - Engineer and Fireman Figures - Metal Handrails and Decorative Bell - Decorative Metal Whistle - Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoker System - Locomotive Speed Control - (2) Precision Flywheel Equipped Motors - Proto-Sound 2.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring:- Freight Yard Proto-Effects - Unit Measures:22 1/4" x 2 1/2" x 4" - Operates On O-42 Curves
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Pat beat me to it....MTH's Imperial Triplex is your answer, except it does NOT go around 0-31...0-42 is the minimum and they mean it. Super cool engine.
No. It would be the same size as all the other Lionelchief steamers and look just as silly as the others do.
-Greg
-Greg
Why stop at O-31? Make it run on O-27!
Greg Houser...........real nice post on your part.
In my opinion, this is one engine that does not lend itself to be shrunk to accommodate 0-31.
I would categorize making a grand steamer like that forced to go through a o-31 curve as "train abuse"!
Stick with the non-articulateds on tight curves.
There are some of us that love these massive looking locomotives, but can't run more than the O31 curves. I have a K-Line Big Boy that I run on O27 all the time! Sure, it sticks out and hits things that are too close to the track, but it's sure since to run an example of my favorite locomotive. And if a Big Boy can take O27 curves, then getting a Triplex to do that same is no issue. The reason it isn't done is because too many cry fowl at seeing the overhang, it's not realistic. I understand that there are people want them to look and act like the prototype, but there are some of us that also like the less realistic stuff. These are toys people, let us play with our toys how we want! I'd be all in for a Triplex that ran O31 curves, even if it's only basic LionChief.
Originally Posted by sinclair:
I'd be all in for a Triplex that ran O31 curves, even if it's only basic LionChief.
Great, the first $800.00 LionChief locomotive...
Rusty
From a prototypical standpoint, the triplexii were not very successful. The boilers could not produce enough steam. Therefore, not very many built. And since I don't care for such large engines, that is fine with me. I would not have one on my layout. I just don't care for them or most articulateds. A C&O Allegheny, now, might just run my head.
Just asa an FYI, the MTH Rail King Imperial Triplex (PS2 and also PS3) will negotiate O31 curves and has a tom of detail, although it is not scale sized.
I don't know why anyone would want a triplex that runs on O27 or O31. Even the MTH RK triplex looks bazaar.
The triplex begs to be only made in scale, and that is fine with me. If it was done by Lionel with legacy then I would be all in. Otherwise It should not happen.
Originally Posted by Sal:
Greg Houser...........real nice post on your part.
Thanks...appreciate it. 
If having a Pacific, Berk, Hudson, etc which are all the same length is your cup of tea then by all means go for it. To me it looks silly. No biggie if you feel differently.
--Greg
If you like mechanics and machines, there's no other steam locomotive that is as interesting to watch as the Triplex. It was MTH's golden achievement. I've only seen the Premier version - it was awesome.
Lionel has been stuck for years in only making models in certain roadnames. This is partly why MTH has been so successful - they make everything in every roadname. Well, use to anyway.
Here ya go... a "Triplex" that goes around O27 curves... 
The RK Triplex - I've got one, re-lettered - is the best RK steamer ever done. So good
that it obviates my need for a "scale" one. It is compressed, with full or near-full 1:48 proportions in the cab, boiler girth, cylinders and elsewhere. I've said it before: it reminds me of a full-scale model of a smaller prototype.
Runs flawlessly under DCS or conventional - high praise from this TMCC guy. I've considered converting it to Lionel's operating system, but, no. PS2 is not my choice,
but this loco operates well.
I do have 072 curves, so the loco looks better than the scale one there. Even 072 can
make some big locos - diesels included - look really gawky.
As nice as the RK triplex some people think it is, it cannot compare to the premier version in any way. IMO the premier triplex is the best engine that MTH ever made.
David, I agree with you completely. The Triplex is indeed an engine that MTH should be very proud of.
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