Premier O Scale 44-Ton Diesel Switchers Now In Stock

Check Out It Out In Action In All-New Video

September 4, 2019 - The 44-tonner was a workaround. In 1937, seeing that new diesels were putting the fireman’s role in jeopardy, the railroad unions negotiated the "90,000 Pound Rule" with the railroads — specifying that any engine with a weight on drivers of 90,000 pounds or more would require a two-man crew

General Electric’s 44-tonner, introduced in 1940, skirted the 90,000-pound rule and was thus the largest locomotive that could legally be operated by one person on a common carrier railroad.

But while the 44-tonner put the fireman out of work, it made the engineer’s life easier than it had been on the 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 steamer it replaced. The greenhouse-like cab in the center of the engine offered 360-degree visibility, a decided advantage in the chaos of the switchyards, industrial areas and railroad back shops where the 44-tonners usually labored. In the event of a collision, the engineer had the protection of a hood at each end of his locomotive, unlike an end-cab switcher.

While our Premier model is not the first O scale 44-tonner, we believe it is the best. Die-cast metal construction and twin vertical can motors provide extraordinary pulling power, while versatile tooling allows us to produce early Phase 1c and later Phase 3 body styles in exact 1:48 scale, with correct scale-width hoods. Proto-Sound 3.0 provides sounds recorded from a 44-tonner running today, the ability to throttle down as slow as 3 scale miles per hour, and a "lash-up" feature that allows you to operate the 44-tonner as a shop switcher moving around steam engines or diesels many times its size.

You can see the locomotive in action on video by clicking HERE. Check out all the roadname offerings by going HERE.

These locomotives are still available from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer. They can also be ordered from the M.T.H. online store by clicking on the item number when you go HERE.

Hurry Before They're Gone, Just Five Or Fewer Of These O Gauge Items Remain In Stock

September 4, 2019 - Each week, M.T.H. releases product lists spotlighting quantities of Five Or Fewer Premier and RailKing items that are remaining in our onhand inventory. In many cases, these items will NOT be re-run in the future and these lists could be your last chance for ordering them before they're GONE FOR GOOD. Don't miss out on these items! Click on the appropriate product line link below and then any item number in the corresponding list to purchase that item from the M.T.H. Online Store or order directly from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

Premier O Scale 2-Rail

Premier O Scale 3-Rail

RailKing O Gauge

O Gauge Items Just Released During The Week Of August 22, 2019

September 4, 2019 - To review last week's list of the O Gauge items M.T.H. Electric Trains released during the week of August 22, 2019 click HERE. You'll find these at your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

As always, you can stay apprised of the latest shipping dates by checking the M.T.H. Shipping Schedule. Once items have shipped, use the M.T.H. Product Locator to find a retailer reporting the item in stock.

2019 Volume 2 O Gauge Catalog Now Online

See It Online

Order items through any M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

It's Easy To Add WiFi To Your DCS Layout

Check Out The Quick Start Video

Click HERE To Learn More About DCS and WiFi Control