MTH Triplex Review

I've always liked this locomotive since learning about it years ago.  Then when I got into O gauge and found out there was a model, I wanted it.  I just wish Lionel made it in the LionMaster Line with Legacy control.  If Lionel never does it, then once I've gotten all the other Legacy locomotives on my hit list, this'll be the 1st one I get and it'll be my gateway into DCS I'm sure.

Nice review, I bought the black version. It is awesome to watch in motion.

I'll have to remember about the crossing softkey button.

Thanks.

 Aaron's City Trains had a couple of these gems -- albeit the PS2-version -- when they were liquidating inventory earlier this year.  I was doing everything I could to avoid buying one for around $850-ish, since I already owned the MTH Triplex and Angus L-1 in matching Russian blue iron finish!  So I couldn't justify another one -- even at that great price.  By the time the liquidation discount got to 40-50% off, the Triplexes understandably disappeared pretty quickly.

With DCS control, it's great to watch a string of hoppers being pulled by an Erie Triplex up front along with the slightly smaller Angus  0-8-8-0 helping out in the rear.

A truly unique Locomotive, and I'm glad MTH produced this stunning locomotive years ago and offered a re-issue this year.  If I were to spring for one of the re-issues, I might jump on the Virginian livery for a good price.  I don't view the "as delivered" Virginian 2-8-8-8-2 to be "a mistake" (i.e., vs. the more common and historically accurate 2-8-8-8-4 configuration for the Virginian RR), 'cause it's just a compromise that often happens when today's importers leverage existing tooling to offer more variety in roadnames.  Lionel did the same thing with their "fantasy" liveries when they produced the Giant locomotives several years ago.  That's how I got my Lionel Legacy DM&IR "Yellowstone" for a sweet deal from Charlie Ro.

Back to the Triplex though... based upon the whistle in Eric's video, it seems MTH used a much different "steamboat style" whistle in the 2016 re-issue, whereas the Triplex whistle from the early 2000's had more of a much higher-pitched, hooter-style whistle.  Regardless of whistle styles, whichever model Triplex you choose to purchase, you won't be disappointed!

David

We have the Gauge ONE Triplex in the Virginia livery and she's a real piece of work. Sits prominantly on a shelf above my office TV

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

 Aaron's City Trains had a couple of these gems -- albeit the PS2-version -- when they were liquidating inventory earlier this year.  I was doing everything I could to avoid buying one for around $850-ish, since I already owned the MTH Triplex and Angus L-1 in matching Russian blue iron finish!  So I couldn't justify another one -- even at that great price.  By the time the liquidation discount got to 40-50% off, the Triplexes understandably disappeared pretty quickly.

With DCS control, it's great to watch a string of hoppers being pulled by an Erie Triplex up front along with the slightly smaller Angus  0-8-8-0 helping out in the rear.

A truly unique Locomotive, and I'm glad MTH produced this stunning locomotive years ago and offered a re-issue this year.  If I were to spring for one of the re-issues, I might jump on the Virginian livery for a good price.  I don't view the "as delivered" Virginian 2-8-8-8-2 to be "a mistake" (i.e., vs. the more common and historically accurate 2-8-8-8-4 configuration for the Virginian RR), 'cause it's just a compromise that often happens when today's importers leverage existing tooling to offer more variety in roadnames.  Lionel did the same thing with their "fantasy" liveries when they produced the Giant locomotives several years ago.  That's how I got my Lionel Legacy DM&IR "Yellowstone" for a sweet deal from Charlie Ro.

Back to the Triplex though... based upon the whistle in Eric's video, it seems MTH used a much different "steamboat style" whistle in the 2016 re-issue, whereas the Triplex whistle from the early 2000's had more of a much higher-pitched, hooter-style whistle.  Regardless of whistle styles, whichever model Triplex you choose to purchase, you won't be disappointed!

David

I agree. I really don't care if it's a 2-8-8-8-2 instead of a 2-8-8-8-4 because that's just how it goes in the model making business. I'd rather them put out the Virginian as a 2-8-8-8-2 than not at all due to cost concerns. I felt I had to mention it, however, just to cover all the bases. 

Thanks,

Eric Siegel

Enjoyed the review. I have the RK Imperial Triplex; certainly it is not the impressive beast that the Premier item is, but if anyone wants a Triplex and cannot "afford" (in space or money or both) the full-scale one, it can scratch the itch pretty well. I've bragged on it here before; it looks more like a scale model of a smaller prototype, rather than a "sub-scale" piece.

But, your review got me looking on DaBay for a black-boilered Premier...I have got to stop watching these reviews! 

It was touched on above, but the VGN Triplex was a completely different loco from the Erie design, and not just in wheel arrangement. Both were Triplexes, but otherwise different designs. I don't fault MTH for this; it makes marketing sense (lots of tooling to split a small, expensive niche) - but an interpretation of the VGN 4-wheel trailing truck (I believe that there's room) would have been a nice touch on the VGN loco.

Great review.

I also have a ho triplex that MTH has made. It looks, runs and sounds the same as the O scale one. The only difference is that on the Ho version smoke only comes out of the stack. 

c.sam posted:

We have the Gauge ONE Triplex in the Virginia livery and she's a real piece of work. Sits prominantly on a shelf above my office TV

Sam, that thing will pull a stump out of the ground! 

I am glad you measured the drawbar pull of this engine - indeed it is stronger due to the 3rd set of drivers - just like the prototype.

Here's a short video of one on our layout, though I forgot to turn the lights on:

MTH Triplex

I still have 5 in stock sale priced $250 off MSRP:

• MTH 20-3611-1 MTH Premier Erie 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
• MTH 20-3612-1 MTH Premier Erie 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)
• MTH 20-3613-1 MTH Premier Erie 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0 (Hi-Rail Wheels)

I always buy too many of the engines I particularly like - that's why I am up to my xxx in Niagara; Class A's; Y's and Consolidateds..... and Triplexes!

I'm fortunate to have the older PS-2 version and it ranks in the top five prized engines in my collection. I thoroughly enjoyed the video. I always like to guess what feature Eric is going to name. It would be nice if he did a review of MTH Wifi.

Another outstanding review Eric, for which thanks again. I have the PS2 version of this engine, which has the same bodywork and I agree with all you have said about the detail of this engine.

I also agree about trying to avoid handling it! I can't believe now that years ago within a day or so of getting mine I had it apart because the main smoke unit was misaligned with the stack and so smoke was coming out under the boiler. 

This is the only MTH engine I have that has ever had smoke unit issues. The tender unit on mine failed and had to be replaced. I never found out the cause; "It just happens" said the dealer repair guy.

That aside this is a great engine and with smoke belching from both ends it is a show-stopper on the rails.

Okay, I have a question now, MTH has made these in all 3 locomotive "trim" levels - Rail King,  Rail King Imperial, and Premier - correct?  Which have smoke out the tender exhaust?

sinclair posted:

Okay, I have a question now, MTH has made these in all 3 locomotive "trim" levels - Rail King,  Rail King Imperial, and Premier - correct?  Which have smoke out the tender exhaust?

Just Premier and Railking Imperial, no "basic" Railking.

Only the Premier has smoke in the tender.

Also to note - the Imperial's tender drivers are not powered. Only the Premier has all sets of drivers powered.

Excellent review of the Triplex.  

Here's a bit more history.  The major objective of theTriplex was to reduce the number of crews--in effect operating three consolidation type locomotives with one crew.

Erie's first Triplex 5014's grate area was too small. It had its grate area enlarged. The 3 Erie Triplexes were used as pushers for about 12-13 years before being retired in 1927.

The Virginian 2-8-8-4 was a complete failure.  It couldn't pass through one tunnel, because its size overwhelmed the tunnel. There was literally no room for the smoke and steam to escape.

It NEVER made a successful trip.

 It was returned to Baldwin which created a 2-8-8-0 and a 2-8-2 from its parts.  Amazingly both locomotives stayed on the Virginian roster till 1953.

Source:  George Drury, Guide to North American Steam Locomotives (Trains Magazine, 1993).

Lew Schneider

Nice review and video......Greg

SJC posted:

sinclair posted:

Okay, I have a question now, MTH has made these in all 3 locomotive "trim" levels - Rail King,  Rail King Imperial, and Premier - correct?  Which have smoke out the tender exhaust?

Just Premier and Railking Imperial, no "basic" Railking.

Only the Premier has smoke in the tender.

Also to note - the Imperial's tender drivers are not powered. Only the Premier has all sets of drivers powered.

Thanks for the info.