October 29, 2025 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the 2026 Premier S-2 4-8-4 Northern Steam Locomotive in FIVE different schemes next Spring. The locomotive will be available in extremely limited quantities and are expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in April 2026. The locomotives can also be complemented with two different Premier Heavyweight Passenger car schemes coming from Atlas O next Spring. You can learn more about the Atlas cars by going HERE.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

ABOUT THE PREMIER S-2 4-8-4 NORTHERN STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

The first 4-8-4 Northerns to appear on the Great Northern did so in 1929 after arriving from the Baldwin Locomotive works. Designated Class S, the locomotives were purchased by the Great Northern in two models, S-1 and S-2. Designated for fast passenger work, the S-1s featured 73" drivers but carried with them a reputation of being hard on the rails.

By 1930, Great Northern had received another 14 4-8-4s, this time designated as Class S-2. These locomotives utilized a radial stay firebox rather than the Belpaire variety found on the S-1. In addition, larger 80" drivers, the tallest of any Northern model, gave the S-2 fast speed ratings though she carried a reputation of being slippery when pulling a heavy train.

Designated for passenger service, the S-2, which pulled an all-welded vanderbilt tender, sported the classic cascade green livery of the Great Northern along with chrome plated cylinder covers and steam chest heads. The striking appearance made the locomotive the perfect choice for the Oriental Limited and Empire Builder passenger trains until the Northerns retirement in the mid 1950s. No. 2584 remains on display, in her cascade green livery, at the Havre, Montanna depot.

FEATURES

• Intricately Detailed, Die-Cast Boiler and Chassis
• Intricately Detailed, Die-Cast Tender Body
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Die-Cast Locomotive Trucks
• Handpainted Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Legible Builders Plates
• Metal Handrails, Whiste and Bell
• Tender Truck Chains
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Remote-Controlled Proto-Coupler
• O Scale Kadee-Compatible Coupler Mounting Pads
• Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
• Constant Voltage LED Headlight
• Operating LED Firebox Glow
• Operating LED Marker Lights
• Operating LED Numberboard Lights
• Lighted LED Cab Interior
• Operating Tender LED Back-up Light
• Powerful Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motor
• Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System
• Steaming Quillable Whistle
• Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
• Wireless Drawbar
• 1:48 Scale Dimensions
• Onboard DCC/DCS Decoder
• Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable
• Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Quillable Whistle With Passenger Station Proto-Effects
• Unit Measures: 26 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 4 1/8"
• Operates On O-42 Curves

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the 2026 Premier O Scale Flat Car with Construction Load in FIVE different schemes next Spring. The cars will be available with a 1/50th Scale Cement and Dump Truck, each in extremely limited quantities. The cars are expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in April 2026.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the 2026 Premier O Scale Gondola Car with Track Rails Load in FOUR different schemes next Spring. The cars will be available with 10 Track Rails, each in extremely limited quantities. The cars are expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in March 2026.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the 2026 45th Anniversary Flat Cars in FOUR different schemes next Spring. The cars will each feature a 1/50th Scale Box Truck each sporting a primary MTH logo from the company's long history. The cars will be available in extremely limited quantities and are expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in April 2026.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.