Which MTH FM Train Master Should I Get? Help Me Decide.

I have the Railking Lackawanna with PS3 from a couple years ago. I am very happy with it and the sounds.

They're all postwar clones. The MTH version from 2011 https://www.mthtrains.com/20-20125-2 was improved, steps were different.

Either go with that one or the K-line version which was the most accurate.

I only have 2 but they are great.

MTH. SP. from the late 90's, a great engine, no problems ever, a real smoker.  Railing version, cost $250.00

The Virginian is a K LINE MODEL I bought a couple years ago, a great engine,  strong puller, no smoke which is OK.  Cost $100.00

I would recommend either , but ,K Line are used and only on Ebay*

SPSF posted:

They're all postwar clones. The MTH version from 2011 https://www.mthtrains.com/20-20125-2 was improved, steps were different.

Either go with that one or the K-line version which was the most accurate.

MTH Premier from 2011 onward was totally new tooling, not a postwar clone. Noticeably different in numerous ways, with road specific details. Railking remains a postwar clone.

Get a newer Premier, much better looking model than any other Train Master on market.

Either go with that one or the K-line version which was the most accurate.

SPSF posted:

Either go with that one or the K-line version which was the most accurate.

Yeah, my point is it isn't the most accurate, and that the MTH isn't a postwar clone as your original post stated.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...-pennsy-trainmasters

This thread details the problems with the K-Line Train Master for just one road and compares the MTH Premier to it. You could do the same thread for nearly every road they produced. They were a huge step up from the Lionel version descended from the 1950s, which was itself really good for the time, but the MTH version runs circles around the K-Line version for road-specific detail and for general scale-fidelity. 

And I'm only a marginal fan of MTH products, generally.

But, quoting yourself doesn't make the K-Line a better product, it objectively is not, save for price and availability depending upon road.

Thanks guys.

Ross.  The Lackawanna unit looks and sounds great.  The Lackawanna/Erie-Lackawanna is one of the color schemes I am considering.

I’m kind of leaning toward Premier.  I found a video on line and they also sound good.

I would definitely get the Premier   The FM is one of my favorite engines   I have every MTh version of Lackawanna / Erie Lackawanna and the detailing and looks of the Premier are awesome.

I’m looking for something with a bit of color. Reading or Lackawanna/E-L are top contenders. I usually stick with North East rail roads, but the Wabash colors are so nice that I may stray from my norm. Also considering an FM Demo or Virginian.

I have a Williams EL powered/dummy set.  Looks great, runs flawless. 

K-line FMs are great. I think I have five or six. Best detail, sound and smoke. Don

Lehigh74 posted:

I like a little variety and I usually get no more than one or two examples of any model locomotive.  I do have an FM Train Master, but it’s a Lionel 8056 from 1980.  The 8056 is one of my favorite conventional locos, but I don’t run it too much since it’s a conventional loco.  I’ve decided it’s time to get a modern DCS Train Master, but I’m trying to decide if I should get a Railking or a Premier model.

From what I have seen, both are scale models (17” long), both have cab figures, both have smoke.  As is generally the case, the premier has more details.  The on line images of the rear grill on the premier looks a heck of a lot nicer on the Premier than on the Railkng, but I’m not sure if I’m willing to pay another $150 for a nicer grill.

Also, not sure if I will like the sound.  I like diesel rumble and don’t like blower whine.  The real Train Master has a blower, but so does the real H10-44 and my H10-44 model sounds great.

So, I’m looking for some input from anyone that has a recent (last 10 years) MTH Train Master.  Do you have a Railking or a Premier? How does it sound?  Are you happy with the details?  Anything else that might help me decide?

Well it's up to you and what you want. MTH railking models are postwar clones with real RR paint schemes for the most part. The Premier models PS2 and current (with exception of last century premier models a.k.a ps1 models) are scale detailed to each roadname and rival that of brass models!

K-line and Lionel scale fms all have the " FM demonstrator" body. In other words the short hood sports a mars light and a headlight which is only good for wabash , Demonstrator, and n&w?) The K-line scale unit is also missing the short stubby air tank opposite side of The fuel tank from the dual air tanks. That was done to accomodate the pot adjuster for the tmcc.

Thanks for the help guys, but it was Mike Wolf that helped the most (forced my hand) with this decision.  As I said above, the Wabash paint scheme looks crazy nice, but the 2018V2 production run was cancelled.  I thought I might just wait till MTH came out with it again or till I could find a Wabash Premier Trainmaster from the 2012V2 run.

But since there won’t be any more production runs, I decided to get a trainmaster right now.  I found this NIB RK Lackawanna powered and dummy pair for a very good price at Ye Olde Train Shoppe in Boyertown, PA and picked it up yesterday.  The powered unit is the same loco that Ross showed above.

I like it. I’ve always liked the EL/Lackawanna paint scheme.  Engine rumble is excellent.  I like the marker lights.  You don’t get them on too many RK locos.  The smoke is great.  Love the side by side exhaust on Fairbanks Morse diesels.  I’m thinking about adding smoke and lighted markers to the non-powered unit.  If there is one aspect I’m not crazy about it’s that the engine sound is too quiet in relation to the other sounds.  If you turn the volume up to get a good rumble, the crew talk and horn is too loud.  I think I’ll turn the volume up and the crew talk off for this one.

I’ll probably look around for a nice premier trainmaster, but for now, I have my FM fix.

I like your choice.  My older brother said he has an "extra" one of these wrapped up in newspaper under his bed & "would I like it ?" .   So I am looking forward to having his extra MTH EL TM.   Hey bro', Christmas is coming !