Hey Guys and Gals...thought I would let everyone know that the MTH Electroliners arrived today at my place. Just got them out and was so WOWED by them that I had to post and let you all know. They are outstanding. Forgive me if someone else has already posted about their arrival. I will try to get some pictures posted this evening.

Alan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: leavingtracks,

I received my set and love it. Job well done MTH. Here are a few quick pix.
Alan said it all.

They would fit in nicely on my layout regarding the time period and 'feel'. What is the length of the cars?

Looking nice.

Frank, they are just under 39 ninches. I might add that this train set runs fantastic.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty Fitzhenry:
Frank, they are just under 39 ninches. I might add that this train set runs fantastic.

Thank you Marty - is that 39 spread out over four units, or three?

I have o31 curves, and try to keep overhang to a minimum. It is four, that would be ideal for me.

All 4.

Thanks Marty. I just looked on the MTH website and surprisingly, it states that despite all four cars being less than 40" in total length, it is rated for o42 curves.

I have some o31 on all of my lines. I wonder if that o42 is accurate?

That truly is a sharp looking set! I have a good many O36 curves, so wonder how it might perform on those.

I wonder if that large front (and maybe rear) skirts prevents the trucks from swinging as much as they need to for O31.

Liberty Liners???

You are probably right zonk. Maybe won't clear switches? But it sure is a very nifty looking set.

What a beautiful train. Very nice.

quote:

You are probably right zonk. Maybe won't clear switches? But it sure is a very nifty looking set.

I have some O31 curves & switches on my layout.
When I get around to picking up my set, I'll check it out..
Joe

I'm too young to remember the Electroliners in action around Chicago. That's a super nice model! Yup, if those would roll through 031 switches I'd have to own one. Even without 031 operation it's tempting! Beautiful!!!

From Wikipedia:
When the Electroliners were first received in 1941, during one test run the traction motors were allowed full field shunt to determine absolute maximum speed. The Electroliner reached just over 110 mph, and North Shore personnel noted that at that speed, the train would reach highway crossings before the crossing gates could fully close, a dangerous situation. Thereafter, the Electroliners were limited to 90 mph.

Marty,
You have something to be proud of!! They are nice looking, very nice.

It's a very neat engine with a very interesting paint scheme!

I hope that you guys who have ordered one, get a lot of enjoyment from it!

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by jd-train:
It's a very neat engine with a very interesting paint scheme!
Jim

Those are unique engines, and look very well done. I also think the paint scheme is "interesting." Was acid around when the person responsible for the paint scheme was working?

Beautiful set love the colors.

Having run them one hour each direction, I can say these are fantastic runners.

Thanks Marty for posting the pictures....saved me from doing so!! In any case, I tested them on some super-O which I believe is O-36 and they did just fine...BUT...they couple very closely so I noticed that the ends of each coupled car do come very close to touching....I mean like a hair's width!! I think those of you that have O-42 or larger will have no problems.

Alan

Marty - can't tell from your pix - Are you now, or will you in the future be using your overhead wires to power these cars?

Mark, I'll let Marty chime in here but from what I can see the units "poles" would not be able to be used...they are very nice but would need to be either reworked or replaced. The instruction manual has nothing to say about these as working catenary poles.

Alan

The poles look great. My catenary is sectional and it would be very hard to get a pulley to stay on, as each section of catenary does overlap at the connection. Remember, that train set also ran on outside 3rd rail in the city area the same as subway cars.

The set will go around standard Fastrak curves, but I had to remove the diaphram on a car in the center of the train, as it lifted off in a S curve.
Nicely done set.

Marty, Bill, I feel like I've gone through this long wait with you guys. Glad you got the electrics and hope they were worth the wait. Don

I haven't received mine yet, do these run as the subways do with station stop recordings? Will they learn a route as the subways do
or will I have to use DCS and program a route?

The Electroliner set uses the basic trolley and subway screen. It will learn routes. I was kinda surprized that the 2 side lights are just painted silver and not illuminated considering this is a preimer model.

Marty,
Thanks for posting the pictures of the electroliners, awesome!
In your photos it looks like you have a MTH South Shore Little Joe? If it is, how do you like it and what size radius does it require?

Thanks,
Franktrain

Thank you Chuck.

It is a South Shore Little Joe. It needs 0-72.

Marty....just wanted to let you know that I am installing catenary on the layout....liked yours so much I am going to have a double pole mainline system. The Electroliner sure looks good on it!

Alan

Go for it. The reward is worth the work.

quote:

Originally posted by BillP:
Liberty Liners???

Patience.

Bill

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by BillP:
Liberty Liners???


Patience.

Bill

Boy - after seeing these at York - even I am interested in a set of these....

quote:

Originally posted by BillP:
Liberty Liners???

Late 2011!! Sorry

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by franktrain:
Marty,
Thanks for posting the pictures of the electroliners, awesome!
In your photos it looks like you have a MTH South Shore Little Joe? If it is, how do you like it and what size radius does it require?

Thanks,
Franktrain

I've got a South Shore 800 - it will go throiugh 0-54 sized curves (my layout used 0-54 for the outer loop). The powered trucks swing out tremendously in the middle, so you need to have adequate clearance if you have an inner loop paralelling the route the 800 is on. I had 0-72 switches for a passing siding, so I can't vouch for the engine's ability to make it through the smaller radius switches without a problem.

Both of these electrics at the Illinois Railway Museum.

An old picture of my son and I in front of the South Shore Joe.

What is the list price on these, I like to get a set if not to expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by trainman311:
Beautiful set love the colors.

Just the thing for your living room. I bet the wife would go nuts for it.

Trainrector,

$599 list. I've seen them from MTH dealers for as low as $530.

Bill

When will the Liberty Liners be out?

Paul

Bill, where da el day at???

John

John,

As I understand it, they're (hopefully) at MTH ready to be shipped. They were supposed to have been tested last week and are to be shipped to the dealers this week. Which means that instead of handing out candy on Halloween, at least one person I know will be saying; "Honey, get the door; I'm busy."

Bill

Can someone please post a broadside shot of the four units? In looking at Marty's pictures I may have set mine up wrong.

Found this which pictures the way I have mine set up.



Go to Electroliners.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TAG18,

The 'dining car' should follow the lead motor car. I think.

That's how I setup mine. How do these come apart??

Turned out well.

I have a 3rd Rail version with TMCC and Railsounds for sale if anyone is interested.

Just lift and tilt to one side or another. Make sure it's the end of the car that's actually supposed to disconnect

I also have a Third Rail Electroliner. But mine is staying in my collection. There's a certain novelty in having the same train by two different manufacturers, using two different manufacturing methods.

One thing I've noticed--the railings 'protecting' the underbody equipment aren't on the newer model. In real life, they were supposedly removed by the Red Arrow Lines as part of their modifications. But I'm not inclined to stress over it. I'll be running them side-by-side.

---PCJ

If you can get Tracks Ahead (our PBS showings have been random), #713 shows a short spot of the Electroliners at the Illinois Railway Museum.

I love traction!