Has anyone heard update on when MP might put out a 2nd version (with all-wheel tender pickup) of this beautiful loco? Mr. Trager was quoted as saying sometime during 2007. I e-mailed MP several weeks ago, but haven't heard back. Anyone know anything more? Scott
I know nothing, but I love the looks of MP's little engines (2-6-0, 4-4-0). If they ever get the tender issue squared away I predict a great future. One of my N-Trak buddies has a newer 4-6-2 with the traction tire and it runs/pulls great (albeit a bit noisily). He uses it to haul an eight heavy weight car passenger train and it performs admirably while looking very nice indeed.
I would be ineterested in hearing from someone that gets one as far as it's performance. I have a Roundhouse 2-6-0 Mogul that I love to peices. The roundhouse version looks great, and runs great. I wonder how the MP will do in comparison.
The MP 2-6-0 with the traction tire pulls very well for a loco it's size. It's worth the purchase. Stay cool and run steam.....
I have only seen photographs of these two offerings from Model Power but they certainly are attractive little critters. I, too, would be curious as to how they run. Some issues back the NTRAK newsletter had a review of Model Powers Mike with traction tire(s); eight heavyweight behind a Pacific is acceptable; nineteen cars behind a Mikado ain't diddlysquat. And, no; I ain't going over to the Atlas forum where they (apparently) appreciate a negative comment or two.
My mike with traction tires tops out at 45 cars on level track. At that point it starts nosing and lifting the front drivers off the rails which causes it to derail in the corners.
I've read the archives regarding the first run of 4-4-0's and 2-6-0's but haven't seen any follow up threads. Have the wiring issues been resolved? Will these units go through turnouts without stalling, or is there more at home mods needed to get these to run reliably? I'm definitely in the market for a small steamer to take a couple of shorty (vintage Con-Cor) passenger cars on my NYC branch line, but don't want to shell out $100 for something that isn't a good runner-no matter how cute Anyone with recent experience?
I have two MP 2-6-0's. I installed decoders in both steamers and they do run very well with DCC. Each MP steamer is different and you should have them tested before you make a purchase. I've had no problems with the wiring. The original 4-4-0's had wiring problems that were taken care of by MP. The new run of 4-4-0's had a metal plate covering the wiring passing through the drawbar. The initial run didn't have the metal shield protecting the wiring. Stay cool and run steam....
Thank you! I really appreciate your hands on experience. I don't live near a hobby store that stocks MP products so I'll probably have to rely on mail order and keep my fingers crossed. I gather the Moguls are better pullers than the Americans because of the traction tires. You haven't by any chance tried one of the 8 wheelers since they modified them have you?
My original 4-4-0 was returned to the e-tailer which was then returned to MP. I have three second run 4-4-0s. Each of the new 4-4-0's was test run by the e-tailer I do business with to make sure each steamer ran well. I installed decoders in each 4-4-0 and they all run well. The first loco I received back didn't have a metal shield covering the wiring, but I could see the difference in the way the wiring was installed in the drawbar from the first run. The remaining two had the metal shield covering the wiring in the drawbar. This is the first 4-4-0 I received back without the metal plate covering the wiring in the drawbar. There is enough slack in the wiring from the loco to the tender, which wasn't there in the first run causing the wiring to break in the loco. Stay cool and run steam.....
Sounds like both little engines are winners now. Kudos to MP for getting/making it right, and thanks so much for the feedback! Now which one....decisions, decisions
Mr. F, are these original (1st run) models, or do they have all-wheel tender pickup as was being discussed this last summer?
MP hasn't come out with all wheel pickup in the tenders of any of its steamers. Stay cool and run steam....
