Skip to main content

I don't consider myself a true 3RS scale guy. I am pretty much OK with big knuckles and even swinging pilots but on road diesels like steam engines the big front knuckle is unnecessary. I am pretty impressed with MTH's version of the SD70. The detail and especially the paint is incredible. Some of the warning signs need a microscope to be read but the lettering appears crisp and clear. The engine fails in large gap between the body and swinging pilot though.

Fortunately I was able to purchase a pilot used on a two rail SD70 though not in the same paint scheme. The pilot was stripped in acetone which also unglued the stair treads and cut bar eyelets. Easy enough to replace after repainting.

I was able to reuse the front handrail by rebending it. A new handrail next to the cab was fabricated. Other than that it was a bolt on modification.

MTH should consider including a fixed pilot with handrails with all of their 3 rail engines. They would only have to make a minor modification to the stanchion the front handrail mounts to the make it a simple swap.

Before: 

After. 4141 is a two rail engine.

Pete

Attachments

Images (2)
  • image
  • image
Last edited by Norton
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Engineer-Joe posted:

I am not alone in saying that the swinging pilot steps makes the O scale engines look bad. The first time I saw it I hated it. It stood out and grabbed attention. 

 Now that engine looks the part the way it should. Nice work !

 That’s great work Pete, looks 10 times better.  I think that’s one of the main reason I don’t have any diesels yet. That ugly swinging pilot.  But there is good news, I may have put a reservation which will return  exiled diesels  to my pike

 

Thanks guys. Lionel did a better job on the swinging pilot on this particular engine. If I had one of those I might have just changed the coupler. Or the Lionel pilot could have been mounted to the frame. Mounting the MTH swinging pilot to the frame would not have made much of an improvement to the appearance.

Pete

Last edited by Norton
Norton posted:

MTH should consider including a fixed pilot with handrails with all of their 3 rail engines. They would only have to make a minor modification to the stanchion the front handrail mounts to the make it a simple swap.

Why would MTH do that when it is easier to make a 2-rail model with fixed pilots and full-length handrails that can be converted to 3-rail by simply swapping out the wheels? The 2-rail models come with pick up rollers in a parts bag if you want to go that route.

How much is the wheel kit? MTH charged me 20 bucks for the pilot. Their cost I am sure is only a few bucks. A fixed rear pilot will require a larger radius than a swinging pilot. Even with large flanges many with smaller layouts would not be able to run this engine not to mention most do not want to switch to scale couplers.

FWIW 4141 is a two rail engine with pickup rollers installed. 

Pete

Last edited by Norton
  1. this is a search on the MTH site just from the new 2019 V2 catalog:
  2. 22-21234-3

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels)
    Erie Lackawanna
    F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels) - Erie Lackawanna Cab ...

     

  3. 22-21235-3

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels)
    Great Northern
    F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels) - Great Northern Cab ...

     

  4. 22-21240-3

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels)
    Santa Fe
    F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels) - Santa Fe Cab ...

     

  5. 22-21201-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Susquehanna
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Susquehanna  ...

     

  6. 22-21202-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Susquehanna
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Susquehanna  ...

     

  7. 22-5735-2

     

    O Scale Premier Ce 6/8 II Crocodile Electric Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Brown
    Ce 6/8 II Crocodile Electric Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale ...

     

  8. 22-21203-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Rock & Rail
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Rock & ...

     

  9. 22-21204-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Rock & Rail
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Rock & ...

     

  10. 22-21209-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Indiana Southern
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Indiana Southern  ...

     

  11. 22-21210-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Indiana Southern
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Indiana Southern  ...

     

  12. 22-21221-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Norfolk Southern
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  13. 22-21222-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Norfolk Southern
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  14. 22-21229-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Delaware & Hudson
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  15. 22-21230-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Delaware & Hudson
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  16. 22-21233-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Erie Lackawanna
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  17. 22-21234-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Erie Lackawanna
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  18. 22-21235-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Great Northern
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  19. 22-21236-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Great Northern
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  20. 22-21240-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Santa Fe
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  21. 22-21241-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Santa Fe
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...
  22. 22-21058-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    BNSF
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  23. 22-21059-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    BNSF
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  24. 22-5734-2

     

    O Scale Premier Be 6/8 II Crocodile Electric Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Dark Green
    Be 6/8 II Crocodile Electric Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale ...

     

  25. 22-21237-3

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels)
    New York Central
    F-7 B-Unit Diesel (Non-Powered Scale Wheels) - New York Central ...

     

  26. 22-21205-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    New England Central
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - New England ...

     

  27. 22-21206-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    New England Central
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - New England ...

     

  28. 22-21207-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Western Maryland
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Western Maryland ...

     

  29. 22-21208-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Western Maryland
    GP-40 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Western Maryland ...

     

  30. 22-21223-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Toledo, Peoria & Western
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  31. 22-21224-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Toledo, Peoria & Western
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  32. 22-21225-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    East Penn Railroad
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  33. 22-21226-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    East Penn Railroad
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  34. 22-21227-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Elgin, Joliet & Eastern
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  35. 22-21228-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Elgin, Joliet & Eastern
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  36. 22-21239-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Nickel Plate Road
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  37. 22-21062-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Union Pacific
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  38. 22-21063-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Union Pacific
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  39. 22-21064-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Chicago North Western
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  40. 22-21065-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Chicago North Western
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  41. 22-21155-2

     

    O Scale Premier SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    George H. Bush
    SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - George ...
  42. 22-21156-2

     

    O Scale Premier SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Union Pacific
    SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Union ...

     

  43. 22-21157-2

     

    O Scale Premier SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Kansas City Southern
    SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Kansas ...

     

  44. 22-21238-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    New York Central
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  45. 22-21237-2

     

    O Scale Premier F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    New York Central
    F-7 A Unit Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  46. 22-21060-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    CSX
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  47. 22-21061-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    CSX
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

     

  48. 22-21160-2

     

    O Scale Premier SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Missouri Pacific
    SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Missouri ...

     

  49. 22-21231-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Central Texas & Colorado River Railroad GMTX
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  50. 22-21232-2

     

    O Scale Premier GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Central Texas & Colorado River Railroad GMTX
    GP38-2 Diesel Engine With Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - ...

     

  51. 22-21159-2

     

    O Scale Premier SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Chicago North Western
    SD70ACe Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) - Chicago ...

     

  52. 22-21161-2

     

    O Scale Premier AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels)
    Canadian Pacific
    AC4400cw Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Scale Wheels) -  ...

I caught on to the two-rail diesel models after watching Rich Battista's video "It's All About The Trains!"  I bought an ABA set of Premier F3's  with one powered A unit in two rail.  It will be the lead engine in the consist.  I don't run on track curves that are narrower than O-72, so tight curves are not a problem.

I love the look of fixed pilots and scale-sized couplers in scale-sized pilot openings.  I have very few "modern" diesels such as GP's, SD's, U-boats, etc, so that type of conversion is not a concern to me. 

I'm pretty deep down the rabbit hole on this.  It started with putting  body-mounted Kaddee couplers on some of my rolling stock, and just grew from there!

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×