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HO Union Pacific 9000 Class Steam Locomotive ShipsCheck Them Out In This All-New Video
Known as a "Union Pacific" type for their wheel arrangement unique to the U.P., the 9000s were also the most successful three-cylinder rod locomotives ever built in the United States. The third cylinder was placed between the two outside cylinders and drove a rod connected to the second axle, which was shaped like a crankshaft rather than a straight axle. A pair of hinged rods driven off the outer cylinders, and clearly visible on the pilot deck in front of the cylinders, operated the third cylinder’s valve gear — a design borrowed from English locomotives like the Flying Scotsman, and known as Gresley valve gear. The rest of the middle cylinder’s machinery, however, was not so visible or accessible and tended to receive less than the optimal amount of attention from shop crews. Despite the maintenance headaches of the third cylinder, however, the 4-12-2s proved versatile and dependable. When faster and more powerful Challengers and Big Boys replaced them as the UP’s premier freight engine, the 9000s became the principal freight power on the Nebraska division, where they served until early 1956. Engine No. 9000 was saved from the scrapper and resides today at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, CA. The 9000 Class 4-12-2's return to the M.T.H. HO lineup in 2020 and are available in four different cab numbers, including the original No. 9000. You can see the locomotive in action on video by clicking HERE. Check out all the cab number 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. The Last Of . . . Premier O Scale GP40 DieselsFlorida Tri-Rail Livery
November 3, 2020 - M.T.H. Electric Trains released the last of its Premier O Scale Alco S-2 diesel locomotives this year in Clinchfield Coal Company livery. The last of these unique locomotives are still available for order now from any M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or directly from the M.T.H. Online Store or by calling the M.T.H. Sales Department at 410-381-2580. ABOUT THE EMD GP40 DIESELBoth under the hood and under the frame, the GP40 exemplified EMD’s product line in transition. Along with its less-powerful sister, the GP38, the Geep 40 was the first EMD locomotive with the model 645 diesel motor. Its predecessor, the 567 diesel that had powered EMD locos since the late 1930s — named for its 567 cubic inch displacement per cylinder — had become inadequate to meet customers’ demands for higher horsepower. Remarkably, the 645 was the same external size and weight as the motor it replaced, with the power increase achieved largely by increasing the cylinder bore. In its normally aspirated form, with a Roots blower pressurizing the incoming air, a 16-cylinder 645 cranked out 2000 horsepower; this was the motor in the GP38. The same engine with a turbocharger, however, put out 3000 hp in the GP40, with lower fuel consumption and emissions and improved high-altitude performance; the tradeoff was higher maintenance costs for turbo-equipped engines. A design problem with turbochargers is "turbo lag": because the turbo’s air compressor is powered by engine exhaust gas, the turbo doesn’t become effective until the engine gets up to speed. In Alco diesels, this issue produced thick black smoke as the motors ramped up, earning them the nickname "honorary steam engines." In the 645 motor, EMD’s engineers solved the problem with a gear train and over-running clutch, which drove the turbo at low engine speeds until the exhaust gas took over. While the GP40 heralded the introduction of a new motor, it also marked the beginning of a long goodbye to the four-axle road diesel. Under the frame, railroads were seeing that six-wheel trucks, once an expedient for spreading out engine weight on lighter-duty track, were more suited to the increasing tonnage and speed of modern freight service. The GP40 and its successor, the GP40-2, were the last high-horsepower, four-axle Geeps to sell in large quantities. During a six-year production run that began in 1965, over 1200 GP40s were sold to U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads. Notably absent from the list of original owners, however, were western heavy haulers Santa Fe and Union Pacific; both roads purchased fleets of six-axle EMD SD40s and SD40-2s. Although the lighter-duty, four-axle GP38 series continued to be a strong seller, the transition to the six-axle, high-horsepower unit — which would become the standard road diesel of the 21st century — began in the era of the GP40. These unique locomotives can be ordered from any M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or directly from the M.T.H. Online Store or by calling the M.T.H. Sales Department at 410-381-2580. The Last Of . . . One Gauge 40' ReefersBNSF Livery
November 18, 2020 - The M.T.H. G Gauge BNSF 40’ Reefer Car is in-stock and still shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers. The cars are available in very limited quantities at your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or directly from the M.T.H. website. The Last Of . . . S Gauge PS-2 HoppersPennsylvania Livery
November 18, 2020 - The last of the M.T.H. S Gauge Pennsylvania PS-2 Hopper cars are in-stock and now shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers. The cars are available in limited quantities at your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or directly from the M.T.H. website. |
Third Archive Auction Scheduled
Cabin Fever Auctions will be conducting the third of several auctions of the official M.T.H. Archive Collection from M.T.H.'s 124,000 sq. ft. Maryland warehouse. The third auction is November 18, 2020, and can be previewed online by visiting the auction preview listing. www.CabinFeverAuctions.comor call 800-789-5068 or 610-587-8139 2020 Christmas Collection Now Shipping
HO Nickel Plate Berkshire Steam Locomotives Now In Stock
The Nickel Plate’s 2-8-4 Berkshires belonged to one of steam’s finest family trees. The first 2-8-4, Lima Locomotive Works A-1, inaugurated the superpower era in 1925. You'll find a complete list of this year's HO Berkshire releases by going HERE. But hurry, supplies won't last long. 2020 - 2021 HO Scale Catalog Now Online
Order items through any M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or by contacting the M.T.H. Sales Dept. at 410-381-2580. Hurry Before They're Gone, Just Five Or Fewer Of These Items Remain In StockNovember 18, 2020 - Each week, M.T.H. releases product lists spotlighting quantities of Five Or Fewer 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. 2020 Volume 2 O Gauge Catalog Now Online
It's Easy To Add WiFi To Your DCS LayoutCheck Out The Quick Start Video
Click HERE To Learn More About DCS and WiFi Control 2019 - 2020 S Gauge Catalog Now Online
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