Differences between MTH Premiere E8s from 2000 and 2014?

From what I've been told, the trucks are the same ones. That's all I've heard.

If so, then they are probably still using the original Weaver dies...  

They did update detailing on the F40PH that I got. So...??? maybe they did on the E series?

I can't believe these companies expect us to plop down money on some rendition, that we have no idea of what we'll get!

http://mthtrains.com/premier/spotlight/09_2014/b

 Edit: this is from the new 2017V2 catalog:

 Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body -  Die-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and  Fuel Tank -  Metal Chassis -  Metal Handrails and Horn -  Moveable Roof Fans -  Metal Body Side Grilles -  (2) Handpainted Engineer Cab Figures -  Authentic Paint Scheme -  Metal Wheels, Axles and Gears -  O Scale Kadee-Compatible Coupler Mounting Pads
-  (2) Remote-Controlled Proto-Couplers -  Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting -  Directionally Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlight - LED-Illuminated Cab Interior - LED-Illuminated Number Boards - LED-Illuminated Class Lights -  Operating LED MARS Light (Where Prototypical) -  (2) Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motors -  Operating ProtoSmoke Diesel Exhaust -  Onboard DCC/DCS Decoder
-  Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments -  Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable -  1:48 Scale Proportions -  Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital  Command System Featuring Passenger Station Proto-Effects -  Unit Measures: 18” x 2 1/2” x 3 7/8” -  Operates On O-31 Curves

I purchased the SP ABA set just a few months ago at a great price. I dont have the earlier ones so I don't have a comparison.  I'm willing to post some pictures if you have some specifics that you are looking for. 

I have several Proto 2 E8 sets. They use to be all inclusive with two powered engines and a B car. Now you have to shell out around 700.00 for just one engine in Proto 3. If you want the complete ABA set, your looking at a better part of $1,300.00. They use to be $550.00 for all three retail.

If I remember correctly the 2000 SF Warbonnet E8's had lousy paint on them. When MTH received them from China they discovered problems with the paint and attempted to "fix" them in Columbia, MD.  When customers received them the "fix" was obvious and most all were returned...or maybe MTH recalled them all and had new shells made then shipped them back out....Can't remember how it was taken care of as that was quite awhile ago.

I own the PRR E8 set 20-20398-1 from 2014.  Bennett Levin owns the prototypes of the 5711 and 5809 from this set.  He is a patron of my local shop.  I was at the store one day when he was there around the time this set was delivered.  I watched him inspect the set and his comment to the store owner was something like, they did a really good job with these.

I don't have any older E8's to compare them too, but the comment from Mr. Levin was all I needed to hear.

Tony

Thanks for all the responses fellas. Main concern is the detail of the pilot as the catalog illustration appears to be the old smooth one. The flyer posted by Joe above clearly shows good detail in the pilot. Hopefully other detail was added/improved as well with these later releases. I'm referring to the ABA sets with the tethers - not the newest individual units.

I have four sets of the older Premier E-8's 5 volt systems and have had and sold three sets of the newer PS-2   3volt systems. The latter all had issues with the trailing A unit motors seemingly not being synced to the leading A unit. The trailer motors would always drag before starting. Replaced a few motors with no success. Sold them off at a loss.   Joe

Here is the picture of the 2014 E8s. I think the ditch lights are new.

Anyone have some photos of the Santa Fe?

I have the Bennett Levin PRR E8s and the Santa Fe E8s, both in PS-3. The catalog picture in the 2017 Vol 2 is wrong with respect to the pilot if my two PS-3 E8 pilots are what will be on the new E8s. They are not smooth as in the catalog image. If you Google MTH Santa Fe E8 you will see a video that indicates the detail on the pilot. In my subjective opinion, the PS-3 sound packages for the cab unit Es and Fs is superior to their PS-2 predecessors. Obviously, this is my opinion. And a correction to a post above. The catalog price, 2017 Vol 2, is $479.95 for a powered unit and $199.95 for a non-powered B unit and $249.95 for a non-powered A unit.

I suspect these are more expensive than their PS-2 predecessors, but at least you don't get stuck with a B unit which many railroads did not have (C&O, PM, etc.) I personally find the Frisco units, with their race horse names, alluring. Many years ago I spent a number of summers hiking the Boy Scout "Bluegrass Trail" in the beautiful horse country around Lexington, Kentucky. I remember one old timer telling us about Man O' War and Citation at the end of the trail, at the Man O' War memorial. Citation was the first race horse to earn $1 million and is considered, according to Blood-Horse Magazine, in its ranking of U.S. Thoroughbred Champions of the 20th century, the third greatest race horse of the century, trailing only Secretariat and Man O' War.

Frisco wanted to name one of its E8s "Man O' War" but his name was licensed and the railroad did not want to pay the fee. So they named an E8 "Big Red," which was Man O' War's nickname. So...I will more than likely pre-order Citation (which is the non-powered E8) and swipe bodies with one of the powered ones (either Sea Biscuit or Messenger.) On my railroad, Citation will once again be in front, leading the "Meteor."

Good info Rick, but to clarify, are yours the ones from the 2017 catalog (individual units)?

I'm inquiring about the sets from 2014 or so with the earlier ABA tethered units. MTH 20-20355-1.  Trying to get a photo of the pilot on the Santa Fe...

Rickwright of the CONUS lines stated:

I have the Bennett Levin PRR E8s and the....

I have those too! Mine are the PS2 version acquired second hand and they are da bomb!

The difference:

C.Sam, the PRR units are tethered. The Santa Fe E8A and E8B are separate units. They are the ones shown in the video.

Are the weaver and MTH  E_8 shells interchangable? I know they are for the MTH to MTH E-8's but have never seen the Weaver to mth swap.

I always have to mention the fact that the original Weaver tools for their E-8's were missing the exhausts on the roof. Smooth. I have a NYC AA pair. Exhausts. Just. Not. There. I assume MTH corrected this...

======================

Speaking of smooth: the "smooth" pilots are not necessarily wrong; they emulate - poorly - the "passenger" pilot typically seen on the PRR; the NYC used a "freight" pilot on many - not all - of their E's.

Now, a lot of these locos were modified through the years, and the smooth pilot could use a few detailing touches, but it's not so much wrong as incomplete. Like the Lionel PW F-3 pilot. I always wanted to say: "that's it?" when I saw one. 

Of course, you want them to be properly RR-specific. I also prefer the look of the "freight" pilot, which was used on many a "passenger" loco. Certainly the terms were as much GM marketing hype as anything else. 

The price!

I own the first ABA set from 2000 and saw a friends set 20-22355-1 from 2014. First, the pilot is more accurate with greater detail. The trucks have plastic applied detail parts to give a more detailed look, rather than die-cast in detail. The smoke unit has two smoke exhaust ports rather than the one. My 2000 set, I hate that sometimes I forget to poor smoke fluid down the wrong hole (it's plugged). The number boards have a little bit more detail and stand out more. And of course as you are all aware, has Proto 3. I am pretty sure , this is the last ABA you could purchase as a whole ABA set. MTH/Lionel started with separate sale A and B units. Very frustrating and cost much, much more... I am on the hunt for this 20-20355-1 2014 set. Now I need to sell my 2000 set!