Basic RailKing v. Imperial: N&W 4-8-4 J

First of all, it is no larger. I had one of the originals (Mt-1105) and added most of these detail pieces long before the Imperial line was introduced. I have since moved on to scale Premier Js.

The Imperial will have:

Real Coal load

Engineer & Fireman figures

Constant Voltage Headlight

Firebox Glow

Cab Light

Tender Safety Chains

Builder Plates

Detailed Back Head

Pronounced differences from 3 feet, no. Premier quality details "up close", yes.

If you're looking in a catalog, one of the problems could be MTH uses stock photos. What is in the catalog may, or may not accurately present what is actually produced. This is a very good example of where your LHS is priceless.

For a non-scale sized J, you can't find one with better details than the MTH RK Imperial.

James,

Are you talking the non-Rugged Rails model?

The non-Rugged Rails Model is the regular RK line engine - same as the Imperial model, just before the Imperial Details.

If you are talking about the Rugged Rails one (also known as the Bantam and found in the RTR sets), you've got a major difference in length, size overall, detail, etc. I'm not kidding when I say there is a substantial difference.

Another thing to consider, stay away from the 5v board versions that were some RTR sets and generally before circa 2005.

If you can spare the $$ go for the Imperial model...

BTW - Going to York?

Gilly & SJC,

Thanks so much! A forum member (who has been really helpful) has a Bantam J with PS2 for $100. I guess this is the most cosmetically basic of the MTH Js. Still, I was really tempted by it having the PS2 functionality. It is from an old RTR set so it almost certainly has the 5V system. 

Which way I go on a J is going to be limited by the layout I build. As of two months ago, I finally got my own place. I'll be using a spare bedroom as the train room. The room isn't that big so the outermost loop will most likely be comprised of O-42 and O-54 RealTrax. The inner loop will be a mix of O-31 and O-42. My rolling stock is almost all MTH. I figured that my mid-sized rolling stock will be limited to the outer loop and sidings. My smaller stuff can go anywhere on the layout. 

I see that some of the older Premiere Js can navigate O-42:

http://mthtrains.com/20-3132-1

The same from 2008 require O-54:

http://mthtrains.com/20-3132-1

The newest ones also require O-54:

http://mthtrains.com/20-3571-1

Money is a very real issue for me (long story). Based on your advice, I think I'll wait for a used Imperial or maybe even a Premiere with 3v PS2. Earlier in the year, I got a steal on a Premiere PS2 Empire State Express (loco + 7 cars for about $450). With so much love for the 611, it may be a long time until I come across a similar deal for a N&W J. For the latter, I already have the passenger cars so I just lead the loco and tender.  

@SJC: If I so go to York, it will likely be up and back on Saturday since I have work until Friday afternoon. 

Thanks again, guys!

James

Manassas, VA

James,

I think one of the PS2 Imperial J's would be ideal. I think they were circa 2008 and have recently been redone with PS3...I wouldn't be surprised if some of the PS2 Imperial J's start popping up. The should do 0-31 with ease. I would be very, very surprised if a Premier J could do 0-42

James in God's Country:  If you get the model number of the Bantam J, it's easy to find out if it's 5-volt or 3-volt.

Just remember there are three different sizes

-the premier model is full scale size

-the Railking model is smaller and sized about the same as the Lionel postwar and the Williams J

-the bantam model is much smaller than all of them

The bantam is toy like size.  MTH did make the RK size in the Freight set and the Imperial is very similar in detail.  Premier is another level of detail and full scale size, plus a Pittman type motor.

The True RK J or imperial would be nice fits.   G

The Imperial version was in a recent catalog, has it shipped yet?

I have one of the Imperial versions on pre-order.  hasn't shipped yet...

Thanks

I have the Imperial PS3 that was in the 2014 volume 1 catalog and shipped last December.

http://mthtrains.com/30-1633-1

Its a very nice engine, you won't be disappointed.

Don't forget about the Williams brass Crown Edition N&W J.  It's brass, it's scale, and can be found for less than $600 and often below $500 on Ebays Buy Now.  Of course another $180 for PS2 so that puts it around $700-$800.  I think I paid $450 for mine a year or so ago.  It's 14 lbs of pure beauty.

Don't know how the looks compare to a MTH Premier J, but being it's streamlined there's not a lot of detail hanging off them anyway, smooth and sleek on the outside

Thanks to all for the great input! Even though it is a deal, I think I'll pass on the PS2 Bantam and see what pops up. Maybe an older Imperial or a PS2 Premiere though I'd be limited as to where it could go on the layout. Once again, thanks! 

FWIW and it is added late to the discussion, the early (5volt) PS2 Bantam J has a different and a much less quality whistle/soundset than does the second (3volt) PS2 bantam version.  I have the early RTR PS2 21" bantam J (#612) which also does not have an external charging port and the 25" Imperial 30-1375-1 (#611) PS2 (3v) versions.  The Imperial version is a very nice engine compromise to look good and handle my tighter curves (0-31, 0-42 & 0-54) as compared to a full scale version.

There are a number of online videos of most if not all versions to use to compare.

RJR, I just realized how close you live to me. Did I meet you at York in the Spring? Shoot me an email at james.murray@yahoo.com.