Recently, I sought out two MTH Premier locomotives found in the 2007, volumes one and 2, catalogs. One was a die-cast early diesel-electric, a Reading Alco-GE I/R(Ingersoll Rand) Boxcab; and, the other unit is a Conrail E44 Electric Engine.
I'm pleased to report that I am very happy with these new arrivals; and both seem to be working, just fine.
Re: this thread's title -
Prior to purchasing both these engines, I did some research... I like to know all about what I'm getting.
I perused MTH's online Product Locator and their 2007 volumes one and 2 catalogs. While doing my research, I discovered that there was significant misinformation stated/printed about the Conrail E44(20-5600-1).
Specifically, the MTH volume 2 catalog states: under the "what's new in this catalog" heading, found on pages one and 2, "Conrail fans will want to check out the new Premier E44 electric"...
- on page 129 of the catalog: ..."E44 joins the MTH lineup, complete with fully die-cast body...
- ..."and authentic single arm GE-Faively pantographs that raise and lower automatically according to the direction of travel"
On MTH's product Locator:
under features, it states: "Intricately Detailed Die-Cast Body"
- "Opening doors"
- "Opening hatches"
- "Operating smoke unit"
Luckily, I found out ahead of time, that MTH's new Premier E44 doesn't contain those features. Instead, it has a ABS plastic body; the doors don't look like they can open; I haven't found any opening hatches; it doesn't have an operating smoke unit and the pantographs are manually raised... they don't raise and lower, automatically.
When I was first considering this particular model, not only did I like it's looks, but I liked the fact it was supposed to be die-cast; and, at a good price... $429.95.
When I found out the locomotive wasn't die-cast, I was a bit disappointed, but I ordered it anyway. I checked out some videos featuring it, and it looked pretty good.
One thing that puzzles me is - I was under the impression that this was a new model or at least, that it has new tooling... because that's what is states on page 129 of the catalog, "New Tooling".
I also note that mine has MTH's older style trucks... with flange-less wheels located on the inner end of the trucks, near the center of the locomotive; plus, the controls are located underneath the locomotive. Again, the old way of doing things...
I can see making a small error, but this, to me, is significant. I would have been pretty upset, had I expected all those features and found something very much, different.
I won't give you my opinion of these two new models, here; the point of this thread is "due diligence".
Rick
