I recently purchased these two MTH locomotives from Train World. I thought the EMD F3 was a super deal at $129 for an MTH that's DCC and sound equipped. But, upon looking the model over the level of detail is pretty low compared to the better quality F units available. The ladders and grab irons are molded into the body, the screens are molded in, the roof fans lack detail, etc. On the other hand, I also bought an MTH GP35 and it's stunning in it's level of detail. Granted the GP35 was $90 more but I have been under the impression that all of the MTH line was produced to the same quality standards. I suppose $129 is a fair value for the F3, but if I knew the level of detail was as low as it is I wouldn't have bought it.
I wonder if the time line for their production makes any difference? Their standards might have changed as the years progressed.
MTH doesn't have a separate line for cheaper stuff, however the F3 they produce is considered to be a starter set engine. It does not have the same caliper of detail as the other MTH models. They sold these with their HO starter sets and then spun the line off to produce the engines separately. As far as I know (haven't worked in the industry in over a year), this was the only model MTH did with the molded on details and such.
It looks like a starter set locomotive. I immediately thought "Bachmann" when I took it out of the box.
I think you are being unreasonably critical of a $129 DCC & Sound equipped loco. Maybe MTH could market it under their Rail King logo (which is their "value" label for O scale 3 rail products), but that wouldn't change the fact that it's a real bargain for that price. Maybe you should have considered a Genesis F unit instead, but with sound and DCC, it would have cost much more. Bill in FtL
Bill, I think MTH needs to be very clear that this isn't up to they're normal standards. Yes, perhaps I am overly critical of a $129 locomotive, but if I'm buying an MTH locomotive I don't expect to get a Bachmann. I knew it was cheap but being it was an MTH I expected more. Personally, I think this locomotive does a disservice to the rest of their line.
woo woo woo.com is selling the DC version of this F3 for $83! http://www.¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤.com/MTH-HO-EMD-F3-A-SF-p/mth-85-2014-0.htm Here's an ad on ebay for the model I bought. if I paid that much I'd be seriously angry. http://www.ebay.com/itm/MTH-85-2014...t-With-Proto-Sound-3-0-Santa-Fe-/371217305159 And, not to rip Bachmann, because I bought this Bachmann DC GP30 for my, soon to be 9 year old grandson, for his birthday. The difference is I paid $44 for the Bachmann GP30. I'm pleased with the Bachmann GP30 because for $44 it's a nice model, but for $129 the MTH underwhelms.
Really? Most I ever spent for a Half Zero loco was fifteen bucks. You can add a whole lot of dcc/sound on top of that and probably have a better loco (and no MTH) when you're done. The simple fact that the manufacturer MANDATES not only dcc but THEIR version of dcc and sound should make you all run for something else. Dave
