I have one of these beauties! unfortunately not the Daylight versions but its an amazing model. I got mine in DCC Ready and added a Tsunami medium steam decoder. Blew my headlight out in the process. Only thing else I would do is go full LED lights, add a cam for synchronized chuffs and upgrade to an ESU Loksound decoder and weather it. It's still a beautiful model though and I'm happy to have it in my collection for my Espee Empire :)
This is the kind of review I like. It was a good, in-depth look at everything, with some personal input from you; and you took your time! Good job on the video, thank you.
You earlier mentioned the general wisdom of how many ounce pull = how many average cars. I keep forgetting that conversion. Request: Could you make it a regular part of the review to translate the ounces pulled to general wisdom number of cars pulled. Thanks
There's just a few things I feel really compelled to say. It's better to be too specific and give too much info rather than give too little info. The impatient ones can always fast forward through the crap they don't care about. Also, you might find this unsolicited advice impertinent, but indulge me. I know it's your video, but might I suggest the "opening intro" become a "closing intro" instead since I'm guessing most of your viewers already know it's you and also you'll generally be able to instantly have a better hold on the veiwers attention if you put that extra stuff at the end. And finally it's not that big of a deal, but I noticed you kept saying "SP scheme". It's the "Daylight" scheme as SP had multiple paint schemes, most notably the others being the "Black Widow" and "bloody nose" themes. Thank you for indulging me for a second. I'll finish with saying I love your reviews. You're very thorough, I love that you stick to talking about the product and you don't get too caught up in talking about yourself unlike so many other youtubers who attempt to do reviews. This review was very helpful as I was eye-balling it in the store earlier today. Looking forward to seeing more reviews from you!
Another great review James. Thanks for taking the time to do this one. A few things I thought I would point out from my standpoint: I am a little disappointed with the cab and tender colors. I have BLI daylight cars and an MTH GS-4 which both manufacturers claim to have accurate coloring to the prototype; they arent completely identical between MTH and BLI. This Athearn locomotive looks a little faded compared to the rest. Im sure with the prototype, over time in the sun, the paint would fade, but I was hoping for a better match from the factory. I also am not a huge fan of the Tsunami that comes with this locomotive. The chuff rate is not easy to match through the speed steps and it sounds like a rattle at higher speed; you can hear during the pull test. I started buying the MT4's with DC and adding a TCS WOW 101 steam decoder which I am thrilled with. This is a great locomotive mechanically and the level of detail is better than a lot of similar brass models. Even with what I see as somewhat disappointing, its worth the price.
very nice loco. wish i could have a load more of these USA locos but as i live in the UK i have to pay import on them witch makes them out of my price rang. i have 5 or 6 USA steam locos and there great
Great review! I wish I could afford one. Can you do a re-review on the latest run of Bachmann ACE's and ES44's? They have now added working ditch lights.
Has anyone done a video about retrofitting this model with a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 or any state-of-the-art sound decoder? The locomotive is wonderful, but the 2016 sound system sounds like crap... especially the whistle. Also, there is now cylinder cock hissing during startup. Thanks and keep up the great videos.
Beautiful model, though can't help noticing that the sound at slow speed is obviously not right. For a two cylinder steam locomotive, there should be 4 exhaust beats per driver revolution, not two. Steam is admitted and exhausted on both the forward, and the backward stroke.
I think for the price there should be metal couplers and no bleed through. At a lower price you could over look but when they start charging these prices the model better be 99.9% perfect.
I love the realism and how the tree swayed in the background as the train went by. ;)
Your the best. You have a great way with trains like I do.
I have one of these beauties!
unfortunately not the Daylight versions but its an amazing model. I got mine in DCC Ready and added a Tsunami medium steam decoder.
Blew my headlight out in the process.
Only thing else I would do is go full LED lights, add a cam for synchronized chuffs and upgrade to an ESU Loksound decoder and weather it.
It's still a beautiful model though and I'm happy to have it in my collection for my Espee Empire :)
I installed LED's in my two MT-4's and have not regret doing it. Its a pay off.
This is the kind of review I like. It was a good, in-depth look at everything, with some personal input from you; and you took your time! Good job on the video, thank you.
I have this model, and it is fantastic.
YAY! Thanks for reviewing that engine!!! :)
Happy to meet the requests!
Hopefully they will have them in OKC in December. I could definitely use one
Probably will use it on my Coast Mail
+jlwii2000 have you ever reviewed a Nickel Plate Road Berkshire? I would like to see you review a Berk. Numbered 765 :)
I always enjoy and appreciate your reviews! Thanks!
Good video, James. Keep doing the long videos - they are much more informative.
You earlier mentioned the general wisdom of how many ounce pull = how many average cars. I keep forgetting that conversion.
Request: Could you make it a regular part of the review to translate the ounces pulled to general wisdom number of cars pulled. Thanks
I like that it’s the model with daylight colors
There's just a few things I feel really compelled to say. It's better to be too specific and give too much info rather than give too little info. The impatient ones can always fast forward through the crap they don't care about. Also, you might find this unsolicited advice impertinent, but indulge me. I know it's your video, but might I suggest the "opening intro" become a "closing intro" instead since I'm guessing most of your viewers already know it's you and also you'll generally be able to instantly have a better hold on the veiwers attention if you put that extra stuff at the end. And finally it's not that big of a deal, but I noticed you kept saying "SP scheme". It's the "Daylight" scheme as SP had multiple paint schemes, most notably the others being the "Black Widow" and "bloody nose" themes. Thank you for indulging me for a second.
I'll finish with saying I love your reviews. You're very thorough, I love that you stick to talking about the product and you don't get too caught up in talking about yourself unlike so many other youtubers who attempt to do reviews. This review was very helpful as I was eye-balling it in the store earlier today. Looking forward to seeing more reviews from you!
Another great review James. Thanks for taking the time to do this one. A few things I thought I would point out from my standpoint: I am a little disappointed with the cab and tender colors. I have BLI daylight cars and an MTH GS-4 which both manufacturers claim to have accurate coloring to the prototype; they arent completely identical between MTH and BLI. This Athearn locomotive looks a little faded compared to the rest. Im sure with the prototype, over time in the sun, the paint would fade, but I was hoping for a better match from the factory. I also am not a huge fan of the Tsunami that comes with this locomotive. The chuff rate is not easy to match through the speed steps and it sounds like a rattle at higher speed; you can hear during the pull test. I started buying the MT4's with DC and adding a TCS WOW 101 steam decoder which I am thrilled with. This is a great locomotive mechanically and the level of detail is better than a lot of similar brass models. Even with what I see as somewhat disappointing, its worth the price.
cool review and model, I have this engine in brass
and you should do a review of the Broadway limited SP cab forward
L
I have in trainz
very nice loco. wish i could have a load more of these USA locos but as i live in the UK i have to pay import on them witch makes them out of my price rang. i have 5 or 6 USA steam locos and there great
Great review! I wish I could afford one. Can you do a re-review on the latest run of Bachmann ACE's and ES44's? They have now added working ditch lights.
My big boy does that water thing on its own
the one that was not the prototype was the one that ran the full paint job on the engine
what size turnouts are you using im looking at a 4-8-2 but heard it was hard to get thur the turnouts
Has anyone done a video about retrofitting this model with a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 or any state-of-the-art sound decoder? The locomotive is wonderful, but the 2016 sound system sounds like crap... especially the whistle. Also, there is now cylinder cock hissing during startup. Thanks and keep up the great videos.
Beautiful model, though can't help noticing that the sound at slow speed is obviously not right. For a two cylinder steam locomotive, there should be 4 exhaust beats per driver revolution, not two. Steam is admitted and exhausted on both the forward, and the backward stroke.
Do you keep everything you buy ?
Hey do you luv in the Illinois area? I would love to see your layout!
Please review a Walthers 2-10-2
How much does it cost?
when you first put it on the track do the sounds come on automatically or does it have a start up sequence?
Hey james i need that mt4 / GS4 engines
you should do 4449
can you review mth ho subway cars
I think for the price there should be metal couplers and no bleed through. At a lower price you could over look but when they start charging these prices the model better be 99.9% perfect.
Why does it have a Nathan 5 chime? .... LOL
can you send me a pic of your train layout please contact me
A bit disappointed that there was no air horn but otherwise good loco
It does have an air horn but you would need to switch that out with a already programed function
SP 4350 did not have stars in that time period
I can't stand the phillips screw on the side of the locomotive
I love the realism and how the tree swayed in the background as the train went by. ;)