The MTH "Blues" - Standard Gauge Trains

This video features the newly released MTH reproduction of the old standard gauge "brass piper" steam engine by American Flyer. While it is described as a 4696 in the MTH catalog, this version is numbered 4694 and is presented in a light blue Wabash paint scheme. The engine is a great runner, easily pulling my consist of four restored American Flyer Presidents Special passenger cars. The sound system, however, is another story. For some reason, MTH placed the speaker in the engine rather than the tender, which is the case with my other PS 2.0 engines. The result is a very tinny whistle and a feeble "chuffing" sound. For comparison purpose, I ran it in the last two scenes together with my 384 Blue Comet steamer. The differences are significant, with the smaller 384 sounding like it's three times the size of the larger 4696. Maybe MTH will see fit to offer an upgrade on the sound system with a tender mounted speaker in the future. A footnote on the Blue Comet set. Viewers of my earlier videos will notice an addition to the set in the form of the Blue Comet Box Car (with its doors mysteriously open). The box car looks out of proportion to the passenger cars and rides top heavy round the curves. But a long train is a long train, so it will remain where it is for now. Hope you enjoy the video.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• MTH
• American
• Flyer
• 4696
• 4694
• standard
• gauge
• toy
• train
• steam
• engine
• brass
• piper
• layout

[BillingtonE2]

Is ur Blue Comet in this video the 384E Blue Comet?

[bluecomet390]

@BillingtonE2 Yes, it is the MTH repro of the Lionel engine. It was made before the Lionel/MTH reconciliation, so bears the MTH logo rather than the Lionel. It's about five or six years old now. Thanks for watching.

[MrPaulkBoot]

Nice video & great collection of classic locomotives & stock. I also like your railway room - and am interested to know how you have reproduced a very authentic sky background?

Regards.

[bluecomet390]

@MrPaulkBoot Thanks for your comments. The "sky" was painted using three different shades of blue paint to approximate a cloudy day. The paint is daubed on using the end bristles of a brush to create a "fluffy" effect. The colours were chosen to blend in with the scenery panels that surround the layout. The sky was painted to the top of the walls, around the display shelves, I did this before erec ting any benchwork to avoid having to crawl around on my hands and knees on top. Cheers.

[Trainbrain1949]

Love Standard Gauge. Since I like to do things differently I've always wondered why MTH doesn't offer adapter couplers To couple AF and Ives cars to Lionel.

[bluecomet390]

Thanks for your comments. I know my 1770E came with both Lionel and Ives couplers (interchangeable). You should be able to swap out a Lionel coupler on your tender for the appropriate Ives or AF part.

[jordimikado]

VERY NICE VIDEO!!!---Five Stars*****

[bluecomet390]

Glad you enjoyed it. It sure is hard to beat standard gauge.

[OSCALETRAINGUY]

super Love it...Steve In Canada

[ilovemthtrains]

Very enjoyable! And a good read... (yours)

I doubt MTH will change anything... Talking to them, or so much as getting the courtesy of a response is a hard thing to do. "Sad thoe it is".