Comparison of the RailKing Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range SD9 diesel loco to the 3rd Rail Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range diesel loco

Photos of 164 and 166 - from the Don Ross collection. 

John in Lansing, ILL

Both are very handsome locomotives!  Looks like MTH is closer to the actual color and graphics which surprises me since the Sunset model is twice the price and touts scale fidelity.  The 3rd rail version definitely has more detail but that is to be expected for the price.  I must say I like the 3rd Rail motor/transmission system much better than Mike's "China Drive" but also realize that most guys do not have 6 feet to turn their locomotives around (me included). Excellent comparison, this clarifies things for a lot of modelers.   Thanks for the photos!

Mike

I have a sunset 2-rail version SD9, and mine will go around 48 inch radius which is 4ft.    

I really love the drive.    It is smooth and easy to control down to very slow speeds.   

The detail is very good and I think the  sound is good.   

I have a sunset 2-rail version SD9, and mine will go around 48 inch radius which is 4ft. 

Good to know, I was under the impression the 2 rail needed at least 36" radius which is 6 ft.  I have some old 2 rail Red Caboose GP9's that will do 24" radius (4 ft) but was afraid to purchase the Sunset SD for fear it would derail cars on such tight turns.  If I see one second hand, I may take a second look. 

NOTE: I said 48 inch radius!

Sunset SD9 is a  one motor Horizontal drive v.s. the two can vertical assembly MTH. 

For the price tag, Railking scale Locomotives are very hard to beat.  MTH does a nice job with getting you a nice looking and running product for a reasonable price.  These can be had for under $300.

Mike CT posted:

Sunset SD9 is a  one motor Horizontal drive v.s. the two can vertical assembly MTH. 

Also - all wheels powered and ball bearings in all axles. 

falconservice posted:

While I have posted photos of both the new RailKing Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range SD9 diesel-electric locomotive and the 3rd Rail Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range SD9 diesel-electric locomotives separately, this is the first time they have been photographed side by side for a comparison. 

DM&IR 110 is the 3rd Rail model.

DM&IR 153 is the MTH RailKing model.

Notice that the 3rd rail SD9 110 will need the yellow diagonal stripes added sometime. I just need to find the right decals for the diagonal yellow stripes. 

Andrew

Falcon Service

I own both the B&LE SD9 and the DMIR SD9 by 3Rd Rail.   I don't own any MTH SD9's.   Appearance wise,  both models look pretty close as far as the paint schemes each is sporting.   To me the most glaring  issue/mistake has to do with the short hood mounted bell.   On the MTH model,  it is completely missing.   On the 3rd Rail model,   that dinner bell they have mounted(my B&LE is the same way) isn't even close to the correctly mounted bell that is on the real locomotive as can be seen in any photos of the real DMIR/B&LE SD9's.   I have purchased some cast brass brackets/bells to correct the problem.   Running wise,   the 3rd Rail models will creep along on speed step 1 or 2 as can be seen on a video about a year ago by Dave of Mercer Junction.

Nick

prrjim posted:

NOTE: I said 48 inch radius!

Yeah - that's an 8 foot diameter - O-96.

The RK scale SD9 is certainly a better value. The detailing on the 3rdR loco is superior. Swinging pilots/short handrails are always irritants, but it does not take a small barn to turn them around.

Lionel's kinetic pilot (the correct name?) that swings only when it needs to - so no broken-jaw diesels coming around the corner at you - essentially solves one of those problems. The trailing pilot does swing, but is far less noticeable in operation.

Some of these DMIR's went to the Birmingham (Ala) Southern; I have seen one when up that way, in the past, it seems. Same DMIR paint scheme, re-lettered, as I recall.