Reply to "MTH GN S2 4-8-4 engineering sample"

At first, I didn't have the money to make this run. I actually bought another 3 rail engine later on to get the working guts out of. That second engine came without the board. Another story. I wasn't sure if those parts would work anyways. I hate to wreck any engine that could be a runner.

I had emailed MTH in the beginning and was told there were no parts available for this. So this engine was destined to be a shelf queen. I got some parts from MTH after finding another engine's parts (gs4?) matched this one. It came from a tip here on the forum.

So I'm tinkering right now to see what I can do. I couldn't get the correct flywheel or motor mount. I have spare HO flywheels in my stock pile. I figure I could manufacture a motor mount fairly easily?

I spun the drive with my drill to see if the gears meshed and spread out the grease. I was surprised at how low the gearing seems to be.

So just maybe this will run soon? I may borrow parts from that 3 rail engine or try not to? I have spare parts and old RK 3rail engines laying around that don't match up.

I may sell off that 3 rail to gain money to get this one running.  It's always tougher to find good 2 rail versions.

I was surprised to see that it was set up for the board installed into it's boiler. Most MTH engines that I own, are in the tender.