RailKing O Gauge 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward Steam Locomotives Now In Stock

Check It Out In An All-New Video

July 1, 2020 - M.T.H. Electric Trains has released its 2019 Volume 2 RailKing O Gauge 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward steam locomotives in two different livery options. In addition to the prototypical scheme featured in the above image - available in two different cab numbers, a second option was produced featuring the Southern Pacific's colorful Daylight scheme. All three offerings are in-stock and available from any M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or directly from the M.T.H. Sales Department at 410-381-2580.

About the Cab Forward Steam Locomotive

Part of the first transcontinental railroad, the Southern Pacific's passage over the Sierra Nevadas, from Sparks, Nevada to Roseville, California, has always been a challenge for man and machine. Grades in both directions approximate 2.5%. Thirty-nine tunnels and nearly 40 miles of snow sheds protect the track from snowdrifts and avalanches - Sierra Nevada, after all, is Spanish for "snow-covered." Seeking more muscle for this route, the SP took delivery of two Baldwin articulated 2-8-8-2s in 1909. Initial trails, however, revealed that heat and exhaust gases in the tunnels and snowsheds made life nearly unbearable for the engine crew. Although cab forwards had been tried before in Italy and northern California, legend has it the SP cab forwards were inspired by an engineer who turned a Baldwin articulated around and ran it tender-first, putting the smoke behind him so he could breathe while he did his job.

The first true Southern Pacific Cab Forwards were delivered in March of 1910 and proved so successful that the SP eventually bought 254 more in various classes. Because the firebox and tender were at opposite ends of the locomotive, the cab forwards burned oil, piped under pressure from the tender to the firebox. The cab in front gave the engineer the best forward visibility of any steam locomotive. Engine 4294, the inspiration for our RailKing replica, was the last new steam engine delivered to the Southern Pacific and is today a centerpiece display on the main floor of the California State Railroad Museum.

To see the entire 2019 Volume 2 Premier lineup, click here.

2020-21 HO Scale Catalog Now Online

June 24, 2020 - M.T.H. Electric Trains has published its 2020-21 HO Scale catalog to the M.T.H. website.

The catalog can be viewed online by clicking the following links:

2020-21 HO Scale Catalog

This catalog will NOT be printed and mailed to M.T.H. mailing list subscribers, MTHRRC Railroaders Club members, or M.T.H. Authorized Retailers.

Monthly 2019 - 2020 S Gauge Catalog Product Spotlight

July 1, 2020 - Each month throughout the year, M.T.H. will be spotlighting various items from our 2019 - 2020 S Gauge Catalog.  This week's feature will focus on the S Gauge F-7 diesel locomotives in Western Maryland livery. Each of these items is currently slated to begin delivering in August 2020.

EMD NW-2 Diesel Switcher - Electro-Motive Division’s F7 was the zenith of the "covered wagon," or carbody-style diesel. With 3,849 units built between 1949 and 1953, the F7 was both the most popular carbody diesel and its last hurrah. By 1954, U.S. railroads had virtually stopped ordering F-units in favor of hood units like EMD’s GP9 and Alco’s RS-3. The side walkways of hood units offered better access for maintenance and better visibility for backup moves, making them truly universal locomotives useful for both mainline runs and road switching.   continue reading

Each of these items is available for order now from any M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or by contacting the M.T.H. Sales Department at 410-381-2580.

To see the entire 2019 - 2020 S Gauge Catalog lineup, click here.

O Gauge Items Just Released During The Week Of June 19, 2020

July 1, 2020 - To review last week's list of the O Gauge items M.T.H. Electric Trains released during the week of June 19, 2020 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.

2020 Volume 2 O Gauge Catalog Now Online

See It 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 Stock

July 1, 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.

RailKing One Gauge

M.T.H. HO Scale

Premier O Scale 2-Rail

Premier O Scale 3-Rail

RailKing O Gauge

M.T.H. S Gauge

Tinplate Traditions

2019 - 2020 S Gauge Catalog Now Online

See It Online

Order items through any M.T.H. Authorized Retailer or by contacting the M.T.H. Sales Dept. at 410-381-2580.

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