MTH Traxx SBB-CFF Cargo pictures...now with video of the NJ Transit Alp 46

Looks nice. Any idea if the sound system will be from the real loco?

I hope so. At one point I was told MTH's recording equipment traveled with Mike to Europe, so presumably recording one of these motors (electric locos) was part of the agenda.

I have one of these on order so I'm brimming with anticipation. This isn't the first time a pre-production TRAXX has appeared on MTH's Facebook, although this entry says "production sample".

The same entry says the ALP-46 version is also expected for the "holiday season", so maybe hopefully the whole batch is just about ready to hit the water.

---PCJ

Hi RailRide,

Yes, that's right. The sound for this engine was made from a real TRAXX loco in November 2009. We also have one of these (production sample) here in Switzerland, and we have positive feedback from our costumers. Also correct lightning for Switzerland and Germany is installed but only the two pantos (for Germany) to the middle operate automaticly and the two pantos to the cab are "cosmetic" but you can lift them manually.

Regards, Stefan

....and -- based on my interpretation of the photos on the FB page -- it looks like the outer pans have the narrower width 'Swiss profile' shoes [ compared to the wider German ones ]; nice touch, MTH !!
Still no Indusi or Integra pickup shoes -- are you going to have an add-on package for those, Stefan ?
Interesting that MTH is also going to come out with the older AC1 Traxx version -- and in Railion livery again. Why not DB, I wonder -- licensing the logo ?
Best rgds, SZ

Steinzeit,

Yes, we are going to make a add-on package with Indusi/Integra pickup shoes. We might add the break disks on the outside of the wheels and maybe a new lens for the head lights to make it look more prototypical.
We knew for over a year now that MTH is going to make the Traxx AC1 version, it just wasn't meant to be announced in this catalog already. I can't say that I was surprised in a positive way about that. Also for me it is kind of strange to see two SBB Cargo and two Railion locomotives. MTH didn't say a word or didn't ask you anything about these before announcing them.

Regards, Stefan

The biggest surprise was the BLS scheme...and at least for this one not gonna be a 4 years wait...

With the Traxx, MTH really choose the most versatile Euro engine..

quote:

Originally posted by Lafondue:

With the Traxx, MTH really choose the most versatile Euro engine..

Well, I would disagree with you -- but in a friendly way, I assure you !
I think the most versatile modern engine for MTH to have chosen, especially once they announced the Taurus, would be the Hercules/Eurorunner diesel -- just as many paint schemes [ more or less ] but suitable for non-electrified lines as well as 'under the wire'. Just my opinion, of course.

Best rgds, SZ

@Steinzeit can't comment on the Hercules/Eurorunner...have no knowledge about this engine.

The Taurus on the other side is well also a very versatile engine with so many possibilities...even Amtrak...but since not in use by any Swiss Railways, well not really under my radar...except maybe for the Austrian Railjet, that could do the trick

quote:

Originally posted by Stefan Bürki:
Hi RailRide,

Yes, that's right. The sound for this engine was made from a real TRAXX loco in November 2009. We also have one of these (production sample) here in Switzerland, and we have positive feedback from our costumers. Also correct lightning for Switzerland and Germany is installed but only the two pantos (for Germany) to the middle operate automaticly and the two pantos to the cab are "cosmetic" but you can lift them manually.

Regards, Stefan

So, the locomotive would sound something like this unit while accelerating?


---PCJ

Here's a shot of the Eurorunner. Looks a lot like the Traxx except it's diesel rather than electric.

quote:

Originally posted by RailRide:
So, the locomotive would sound something like this unit while accelerating?

---PCJ

Wow. That sounds a lot different from the ALP 46. It usually has a more mellow sound with a frequency shift around 25mph. But perhaps the Euro ones sound different.

OBB Taurus decorated with the Italian flag...

http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...ture.aspx?id=2446822

quote:

Originally posted by Glenn Fresch:

quote:

Originally posted by RailRide:
So, the locomotive would sound something like this unit while accelerating?

---PCJ

Wow. That sounds a lot different from the ALP 46. It usually has a more mellow sound with a frequency shift around 25mph. But perhaps the Euro ones sound different.

Well, I can see why it would sound differently; the 189's are a Siemens product [ = a multi-voltage Taurus ], not from the Traxx family.

But along the thought of 'sounding different':
1. It would be interesting to know if the NJT ALP-46 sounds differently than the 46A under identical circumstances -- I would think it might, if one has "calibrated ears", since they use different electronic drive systems [ GTO vs IGBT ]; Stefan, do the two different versions [ eg, announced by MTH ] of the Cargo 482 sound differently to your knowledge ?

2. I suppose it's also possible that NJT units might sound differently than their European equivalent, aside from the HEP sounds added, if different electronic frequencies were chosen [ to avoid harmonics ] because of the different AC cycles, both commercial and rail.

Best regards, SZ

Steinzeit,

Yes, the two versions of the MTH's SBB Cargo Re482 would sound different in real live and so do the NJT ALP-46 and ALP-46A. The ALP-46 is based on the German BR 101 and the new ALP-46A is based on the TRAXX F140 AC or TRAXX P140 AC2.
Also, the BR189 from the video clip above sounds different then the Taurus engine that MTH is going to make. BTW Lafondue, you are correct, no swiss railway is using or the Siemens Taurus, but Hupack is leasing them and the dispolok.com Taurus are regular visitors in Switzerland besides the austrian Railjet who runs every hour from Austria into Switzerland. But, I don't think MTH is going to make any difference with all the models...

Regards, Stefan

Well, this is interesting: MTH has posted photos of the Railion-liveried Traxx electric on the F'book page, and it's an AC1, not an AC2, version [ look at the lower ends of the frame = straight, not curved as on the Cargo version already photo'd ]. The r/number and number of pans also agrees with the AC1; an AC2 would have 2 pans, the curved frame ends, and a 185.2x r/n. So everything is consistent in the model, it's just the description that's "backwards"?

And does anybody else think that MTH makes many of its reds too orangish, or do they just look that way ?

Best, SZ

I already have a number of electric locos and will buy this and the Crocodile.
So, when is someone going to make some decent catenary for O scale?

I asked MTH on thier Facebook page if the RAILON Model was an AC1 instead of an AC2 and the commentators responce was that to his knowledge this is an AC2 because of the difference in the Steps between the Two Models.

GARDNER,

I think you misunderstood something from MTH's Facebook comment. The moderator there says; "...to my knowledge the Railion body does appear to be a AC1." But, he is not correct with; "The big feature between AC1 and AC2 are the steps..." because the whole cab is acctually different. Look closely on the "body contures" of the SBB Cargo vs. Railion.

Regards, Stefan

Gardner, it appears the MTH F'book person changed their statement to reflect that the model is an AC1. The steps referred to, incidently, are on the ends of the unit, and they are different between an AC1 and an AC2 -- although it wouldn't surprise me to see AC1's with the wider steps appear over time due to overhauls, damage, etc.

I would like to point out that this is, in my opinion, a very nice model, and gives scope for MTH to produce other variants in the future [ such as a DB 146.1, which could be a good seller ]; it's just that MTH is handicapped by having their catalogue description "backwards".

With best regards, SZ [ one of "....the many..."]

I`m glad MTH has clarified the Model is most likely, as Formites here have suggested, an AC1. I also had noticed that the Upper Part of the Cab seems to be a separate Part so MTH can better Model different Prototypes.

Interesting wise the operation manual is now online...1 nice feature is that the lighting of the engine can be switched between running on German or Swiss tracks(layout)..also can be switched either if the engine is pulling a train or run on it's own....

http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...ction/20dl15555i.pdf

Yes, one white rear light is for switzerland when it is on a train, but like in germany, we have two (or sometimes just one) red lights when the engine runs on its own. BTW, we already made the first samples for our add-on kit; the new silver break disks look great and the Indusi/Integra pick-ups look sharp too. I have a Traxx AC2 dummy on order wher I will make my own mechanism/drive. I also start to like the white "Crossrail" version. I just might wanna get one of these too...

Regards, Stefan

From the MTH website...now video of the NJ Transit version...

http://www.mthtrains.com/news/486

Sound is interesting...PFA is upgraded, still have the standard announcement...look good

I was amazed and disappointed to see, both in the NJT still photos and apparently the video, that the gear train [ of the MTH drive ] is readily visible between the wheels ! Are other MTH diesels / electrics like this ? The posted photos of the Traxx Railion / SBB electrics are not taken from a low-enough view to be able to tell on those units.

I imagine the gearing can be covered with a plastic shield [ which hopefully is missing on this model ??], but 'as is', based on Euro forum comments about exposed gearing on some HO models, is not going to be good for MTH's "scale model vs toy train image" over there. Just my opinion, of course.

Best regards, SZ

WOW, somebody whopped that train with the ugly stick.

@Steinzeit...that's a good observation...it sure look not right...on my other MTH engines, do not have this so visible..hidden behind the truck armature...

Will see if they will differ on the Euro model since it seem the trucks are different....

Hi Steinzeit,

Exposed gears on diesels is standard practice for MTH, Lionel, and Atlas in O scale. Steamers have enclosed gears and electrics vary depending on the Prototype. Since the drivetrain of the APL/Traxx engines are so similar to a diesel, exposed gears would be expected. I doubt they have considered any kind of a "shield" to cover the gears, as MTH has never done one on any other model. The gears are only visible on one side of each truck, and generally they visually concealed behind the side frames. Since these engines don't have outside truck frames the gears are far more exposed than normal. Some kind of concealment would seem in order in this case.

All of the MTH HO models (steam, diesel, and electric) have fully enclosed gears.

quote:

Originally posted by dave hikel:
Hi Steinzeit,

Exposed gears on diesels is standard practice for MTH, Lionel, and Atlas in O scale.

Interesting. I take it "standard practice" = "China drive" ? I would imagine Atlas' diesel switchers do not have exposed gears, since they use a similar drive train to my [ Atlas ] ALP's, and they don't have exposed gears.

Another good reason not to use roofing granules with magnetic properties for ballast !

SZ

Hi guys,

I just got my SBB Version last week. Only problem, no lights, either in analog or in DCC. Also the pantographs are a bit unpredictable. any suggestions, am I missing something in the instruction? This is the two rail version and I have triple checked the switches on the bottom of the loco.

Thank you and all the best,

Miketg