Has mth eliminated the large gap between the truck and under frame on their new models yet?

At this point the answer is yes and no depending on the locomotive. Pete Kruimer pointed out a while back that one some of these locomotives the ride height is correct, but the gap is missing detail so it looks too high. Other locos are just too high.

The scale wheel SD35 "appears" to be lowered from previous offerings in catalog photos, but without seeing a locomotive it is always hard to tell. The new GP35, in spite of it being called the most accurate GP35 yet, still falls short to the old Atlas one in ride height and the shorty Blomberg trucks based on the latest photos posted.

MTH has come a long way in the last several years, but is still hit or miss. My attitude is no pre-orders and wait and see. That approach rewarded me well when the New Jersey Transit ALP44 turned out just to be an AEM7 with different paint. I specifically sent a note to MTH asking about this important difference when I pre-ordered one and not getting a response, I canceled the pre-order.

Friendly notes to MTH will continue to help them improve their product for the entire marketplace.

The gap is very noticeable to me from the pictures from the MTH website.

Back about a year or two ago Pete also showed how the MTH gap closed up and then reopened with the SD50 and SD70ACe. It was a very interesting thread.

I saw the 35. Pretty big gap, each truck appeared to have a different mount. Not the greatest effort by MTH, short trucks and all. Wish they could keep the 3RS archives longer than 6 months, as it is not that much stuff anyway.

The GP35 more than any recent release is very reflective on this manufacturer and their intention of being the leading "scale" manufacturer. From the running boards up we have a wonderfully detailed and well executed GP35. From the running boards down we simply have more of the same.

If the bottom 1/4 of the locomotive were on par with the top 3/4, this would be an incredible locomotive and good buy.

I wonder if this would pass in the 80- line of product? Is it too much to ask that the established 3R line get the same quality as the newer HO line?

This is not an MTH bash in the least, simply showing an opportunity to sell more product. It would be nice to see all the current manufacturers succeed in selling product. More quality product is good for everyone.

While the 6 axle power is not perfect, it is very acceptable. I still can't understand why the 4 axle power has not received this attention.