MTH Trains
7020 Colombia Gateway Drive
Columbia MD 21046
Price: $429.95
Website: www.mthtrains.com
Plastic model of a Baldwin VO-1000 diesel-electric locomotive; modular electrical connections and car body; two, two-axle power trucks; one motor per truck; directional front and rear headlights; lighted number boards; interior cab light and details; operating smoke unit; sound system; metal hand rails; operating knuckle couplers; opening side windows and rear door; accurate prototypical graphics and road numbers. Dimensions: overall length (pulling face of Kadee couplers), 18″, width, 313/16″; height, 5¼”. In 1:32 scale this works out to a correct 48’0″ x 10’2″ x 14’0″, respectively
Pros: Correct scale (1:32) for gauge 1; to date, the most accurate, injection molded, standard-gauge diesel engine produced for gauge 1; high quality, fine-scale details; very rugged; good puller; Kadee-coupler compatible; sound and smoke units included; reduced-flange-height wheels
Cons: Unsightly track-pickup shoes
This model is the fourth diesel offered by MTH. With each successive engine the company has continued to respond to modelers’ requests for greater accuracy and details and, as a result, has pushed its products to near the level of brass imports while retaining the value, robustness, and feature-rich products MTH is known for. The VO-1000 (offered in 15 road names) represents the current state of the art. It is the first plastic diesel model that looked, out of the box, as if it were a brass model-the paint and details are that good. I also feel this locomotive was a good choice, as it has never been produced in 1:32 or 1:29 and the engine, built in the 1940s, had a 60-year life on almost all major roads or branch lines.
This model is an excellent puller. This is due to its hefty weight (it has a metal chassis) and the two axles that have rubber tires on their wheels. At the time of this test, our review sample had about two hours of running time. Smoke and sound volumes were set at around one third. Sound came on at 5.5V and .12 amps. Lights came on at 5.7V and .6 amps. Minimum scale speed without stall or hesitation was about 2.8 s.m.p.h. forward and 1.4 s.m.p.h. reverse at about 7V and .6 amps. With a 20-car train, the minimum forward speed dropped to about 1.5 scale m.p.h. Scale speed at 19V was 82 m.p.h. On level track, the drawbar capacity was 72 ounces, or about 60 average freight cars, at approximately 3 amps. This is impressive for a single engine.
The model has directional lighting (head and tail light), number board, and cab light. I especially like the headlight. MTH got the intensity just right.
The VO-1000 comes with two sets of pilots. As received, the pivoting pilots will allow the model to negotiate two-foot-radius curves. If your railroad has four-foot radius or larger, the fixed pilots can be installed (an easy swap, with screws supplied). Several coupler choices are provided, including MTH knuckles and LGB-type hook-and-loop couplers. There are also mounting holes for Kadee’s (#821 or #921) 1:32-scale couplers, which mount to the chassis. I applaud MTH’s designers for using the more accurate 821/921 Kadees instead of the larger-draft-gear-box 820/920 versions used on their F3, F7, and Dash 8.
The MTH VO-1000 comes with a sound system and smoke unit included. The smoke unit has a fan with adjustable speed output. I did notice a slight buzz when the smoke unit was on. This is caused by mechanical vibration of the fan motor transferred into the structure of the unit. Evidently it’s normal and not really a problem, as it blends in with the sound system when set at normal levels. The smoke unit works well as far as simulating diesel exhaust, which is different than that of a steam locomotive. I liked this feature, especially if turned low to provide a subtle exhaust plume.
The sound system is designed to provide full functions with MTH’s DCS control system. However, with DC track power, it will still provide idle when the engine is sitting still (but with power applied), and a rev-up once the engine is moving. In addition, during idle, cab chatter can be heard intermittently. This is a fun feature that always surprises people at train meets. The sound level of the voices is a bit loud relative to the prime mover, and distorted, but I assume that’s because the voices are supposed to be coming over radios rather than acoustically from the 1:32-scale engineer and conductor (also supplied). Once the engine is moving they stop chattering. A separate level control built into the DCS would be nice to be able to adjust their volume.
The speaker compartment, which is in the fuel tank, is small, which limits the low-frequency response. This is a problem with all diesel-engine models that don’t utilize the entire air volume of the engine body. Because the prototype VO-1000 ran at very low RPMs, it does not have as dramatic rev changes as do EMD or Alco engines but the sound does seem correct and it enhances the impression of the model when running. All in all, for its size, the sound is good-on a par with a Phoenix or QSI sound system.
There are two easily accessible trim pots for sound volume and smoke level, along with a handy track-polarity switch and battery-charging connector, nicely hidden under the long hood hatch. The use of a magnet for the hood latch is clever.
The overall appearance of the model is impressive. MTH has done their homework with respect to the model’s paint and graphics. The UP yellow is dead on and the numbers MTH chose are also correct for UP engines. There are two numbers per road available. (Most people are not aware that MTH offers two numbers per car and two or three per engine road. I think that would be helpful if this fact was printed in their catalogs.)
The detail level on this model is excellent. I was blown away by the front see-through grill. The handrails, cut levers, and grabs have all been reduced to exact size and even the windshield wipers (which bothered me on the Dash-8) have been reduced in size. About the only thing I could find to criticize is the attachment of the vertical stanchions to the handrails. In all the photos I’ve seen of VO-1000s, there is a cast “T” section, whereas in the model the wire is wrapped around the handrail and, although not typical of models in this price range, it would have been nice if the trucks had working suspension bolsters. They already have working springs and sideframes.
Overall, MTH has really responded to customer input about producing finescale models and the VO-1000 diesel demonstrates MTH’s commitment to produce the finest #1-scale model possible at an affordable price.
Even the wheel-flange height has been reduced, eliminating the need, I feel, to seek replacement wheelsets. The wheels are still extremely reliable on all code-197 through 332 trackwork and are in compliance with the new G1MRA and NMRA wheel-and-track standards. The model has track shoes to aid in electrical pickup. This is necessary because of the rubber-tired wheels. It’s basically a trade off. Without the track shoes the engine would look better but hauling capacity would be affected. The shoes do work well but my solution has been to battery power my MTH engines, which allows me the benefit of the rubber tires and eliminates the pickup shoes.
I highly recommend converting any MTH engine to on-board batteries, using their DCS system, as it allows superior control and access to additional features that come installed in the engines at no extra charge.
MTH did a first-rate job capturing the look of this unique engine and it is a very appealing model. The VO-1000 is an excellent product that I highly recommend. It offers exceptional value and a new level of accuracy in large-scale models for one-gauge track.
