I Finally Got the MTH Triplex Steam Engine!!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- Took me long enough but I finally found one! The MTH Premier PS2 Triplex Steam Locomotive
How does it compare with the UP Big Boy 4014? Watch and find out!
Enjoy!
_About Me_
I have been collecting O Gauge Trains all my life and enjoy sharing the hobby with others. This channel is dedicated to sharing O Gauge Trains and Experiences. I enjoy collecting trains from all eras and learning about the history and influence that model trains have had for generations.
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To be fair, I'd expect a giant metal monster with twenty-four drive wheels to outpace the Big Boy a bit. The Tri-Plex is essentially Steamzilla.
Steamzilla!!! Yes!!!
It's like godzilla but instead of king of the monster's it's the king of steam engines.
I suspect the reason it would've been so slow irl is because of all the heavy reciprocating parts and how long it would've taken for steam to make it through the whole cycle.
@@whispofwords2590 The Triplex boiler just couldn't make enough steam. An engine that was good in theory but poor in execution. But an interesting footnote in locomotive history.
I like that. STEAMZILLA!! lol 😂 Cory Mears
The enthusiasm that you have for the hobby is infectious. I build RC planes and because of people such as yourself, my interest in trains has come to life.
Hey Chris, you're like the Jim Carrey of trains. Great job!
That's what I've said!! Chris could easily pass for Jim's younger brother, complete with their animated facial expressions. Chris here has a tremendous amount of natural entertainment talent.
I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING HE DOES LOOK LIKE JIM CAREY.
The Triplex whistle has a very unique whistle. It's one of those you don't hear often on the more popular locomotives. Definitely sounds better in O scale vs the HO model. Quick little fun fact: the HO version doesn't have a motor in the tender, so the drive wheels under the tender are free rolling.
One of my favorites. I have the Erie #5016 on my layout. Great video! It's always fun watching a Triplex run quickly, but to watch it run slow, is just neat. All those moving parts, it's almost mesmerizing.
TREVOR HARRIS TripOd TOTNES TORQUAY
Trainmasters never got the recognition they truly deserved. I have 15 of them in my fleet in various road names. With the whistle battle I would say it's a tie, but leaning more towards the Virginian!
Nice video in my opinion i like the Union Pacific Big Boy whistie but like all the Trains running its fun to watch
Hey Chris congrats on your new Triplex. Looks great. So gotta say, the whistle is awesome, but for me, nothing beats the sound of the Big Boy. Really enjoy your channel Sir. 👍
Thanks for watching Chuck!
Congratulations for getting the triplex Chris.
Triplexes are honestly one of the coolest looking engines out there. I’m glad you finally got one!
So glad you finally have it, hope to see it more in your videos
YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Always loved the triplex 24 driving wheels could outpace the big boy any day at any time roll on steamzilla!
2002 was the first time I have witnessed this monster in action. Man, I wish we had More MTH videos like TMs Great MTH layouts back then 🤔
Wow, that TMS video is one of my favorites. Gary
I've got the first of the TM "Great MTH Layouts." Even after all this time I'm still impressed with Tony Lash's layout, a real work of art!
@@TheTrainboard who’s Gary?
@Railchief 74 I'm Gary. My son and I, train guys from way back, are starting a new o gauge youtube channel based around our new trainboard and our railfan videos. Just hope we can consistently produce the quality shots and consistently special effort on this channel. Gary
Awesome engine, didn't realize that it existed. I'll have to do a history dive, thanks for sharing. I enjoy your channel.
Thank you Bob!
Love the triplex and her whistle.
The triplex is a great steam locomotive and yes it has alot more power to it Chris. Last time I was at main line hobby shop, I saw one or it was two triplex there. Nice Virginia high hood loco.
Simply marvelous ! 👍 Thanks Chris
Love it!! I myself picked the railking Erie triplex PS/2 a couple months back and love it
Outstanding Video RBP!! First read about the Tri-Plexes in "Model Railroader." Picked it up from an 👁 Eye 👁 Doctor's waiting room as a kid. I think the issue was from 1969. I've always wanted one. I've subsequently discovered (about five years ago) that I was born the same day as the Erie Lackawanna Railroad - October 17th, 1960 - so that makes the Erie one of my parents!! I'm sure you'll understand my preference, though I ❤️Love❤️ your Virginian Triplex!! Appreciate the way you discussed the history of both locomotives. Keep up the Great Work!!! Nathan in Chicago 🇺🇲
Thanks for watching Nathan and sharing your story!
Just subbed, I feel like you represent all of us who grew up in the 90’s that are still kids at heart / can finally afford our dreams in our 30’s💪🏻😎. Love that scale, it’s like you can close your eyes and smell the steel and oil in a museum
Thank you and welcome aboard SERGIp51D! I am with you 100%! I remember being a kid in the 90's and looking at the catalogs just dreaming of running these one day. Thanks for watching!
@@RBPTrains Hey, I remember being a kid in 1959 and wanting the same engine Casey Jones had on the TV series starring Alan Hale Junior! Now I've got six! 😃
It's nice to see a very realistic model of a steam locomotive moving and a history lesson sprinkled in
Great engine, Chris
Noticed no tender smoke. Hope it is OK. I would take a break on the next loco and take Wifey out to dinner with all those great toys!!
Yesss! Nice!
You should put all articulateds on one train, and try and put every loco you have on one train! Those would be a cool video
That locomotive along with this channel, is amazing!
Thank you @Connorado!
Hey Chris! I have the same locomotive, the Virginian #700 and I love it. I bought it from my father way back around 2008. Your model has a different whistle as mine has a different tone and cannot quill. The only thing I wish MTH would have done was to change the rear truck from 2-wheel (Erie) to a 4-wheel (Virginian) truck to make it at least a little more prototypical though technically, it should have had a completely different casting all together from the Erie model. Congratulations!! Oh, BTW, you are running your Virginian FM backwards, it is supposed to be long hood forward. Ever since the mid-1970's I ran mine just like you are here but it was told to me when I started getting more into realism that FM's ran long hood forward.
I was wondering about the Trainmaster direction. The newer models print the "F" on the front to help folks like me who do not know much about prototypical operation. But this Post War version does not have that so I had to guess. Thanks for clarifying!
Dang, I wish I could find the HO version of this for my fleet.
Congratulations on that epic find!
Big boy still is the best
But it is nice to see that you finally have the 2-8-8-8-2 locomotive
so happy to be back at this channel again....was looking everywhere but didn't find anything.
Such good vibes!!! keep on rocking and foremost...rolling
greetings from switzerland
God I've been waiting for this moment ❤
I've been looking for the Virginian version for quite some time, had seen a couple online for sale, but just didn't pull the trigger. Oh well, I'll live vicariously through you Chris. Great find!
I have a feeling we will see the Triplex again very soon... :)
Been waiting for it all day
You have now joined the league of triplex owners, a club I hope to join someday. Definitely a locomotive on the wish list. I hear there are rumors of Lionel bringing out a triplex in the future. If it is true I would love to see it be Vision line, but my wallet wouldn't like that.
Greatest video Chris. I see I’ll be adding Triplex to my list of engines I want to get. I think the Big Boy is the winner of the battle.
It's so much fun to see that engine go speeds it was never meant to go. Awesome review! I want one now lol
I prefer the Virginian model myself and have been without success finding it. Your channel is the best. Your enthusiasm lifts me up 🙂👍🏻
Thank you Simkins Frank!!
Part of the reason the Triplex only did 5-10 miles an hour when they were used is due to some firebox and boiler issues that meant they didn't actually have the steaming capacity to go much faster than that, not to mention the wear and tear it would cause on both the engine, and the rails.
How to buy
I can't compete but I just bought a Iong awaited CNJ Camelback Lionchief. Spent some time today just watching what it does best . Happy Engineers unite. 🚂
Your presentation showed your bridge, who's the trains.
I think the Camelback engines are great. Plus you can run them anywhere! Enjoy your new engine Kevin!
Awesome video Chris! Such a cool and beautiful locomotive! I want one bad! All controversy aside, facts are facts. There were a few engines that produced more hp and tractive effort than the Big Boy. 🤷♂️ it is what it is lol won't stop my love for the Big Boy, being from Utah. But the history of all of these is nothing short of fascinating! Happy for ya man. Great addition! You should help me find one 😂
If I get a wind of another one, I will keep ya posted, haha. Thanks for watching!
Love the trains my friend. Keep being awesome. Very cool train it looks amazing
One of your best videos yet, great job.
I was lucky enough to acquire an Erie PS-2 Triplex and it too was hard to find. They are without a doubt a unique locomotive. A bucket lister I had to have. I tried finding the PS-3 Model but this came along so I couldn't pass it up. Great video Chris! Watching trains never gets old!
@creeperboy2021 I have the early Triplex from around 2004 obviously with the PS3 which actually functions just fine. For some time I've been watching for a PS3 upgrade board for it but they're not available. Do you know when MTH will be releasing such boards for the Triplex?
@@ralphmiller2265 how to buy
Two beautiful steam engines ❤🚂👍
Hello good Friend Chris, What a beautiful locomotives to see driving, And they both have a nice steam whistle, The big Boy is a fuller sound with an echo I once saw the Big Boy driving in the border area between the USA and Canada, What a power this Machine exuded,I enjoy your job almost every night, Kind regards from Henk Belgium Border❤😀😉
Thank you Henk!
I really think that the triplex won this time. That whistle is awesome!
The triplex could have served well on coal-hauling short line railroads like the Kentucky and Tennessee railway, while the Union Pacific big boys were built for fast freight trains.
They both had their own purposes. On paper, the triplex could have outperformed the Big Boys. Sadly, they were held back by their powered tenders, which caused unnecessary wheel slippage.
I like the sound of the Triplex, and the UP but if I had to choose I would have to say the Triplex, love the sound, definitely using it in one of my intros on my channel.
As a first-timer to your channel, I can confirm that I was thoroughly impressed! 👏🏾
Thanks Geno and welcome aboard!!
Excellent locomotive with great sounds! Yet, the trainmaster seems to have stole the thunder😁
Trainmaster is awesome. I always run Post War and other vintage trains any time I can, especially between my review videos. Thanks for watching Joey!
Dude, this is epic. That is how one is having a lot of fun of running the trains!!!!
The all mighty triplex won the whistle battle.
Great video Chris! I liked the triplex, but I really loved how you showcased that postwar lionel trainmaster! I had always wanted one as a kid; but about ten years ago I found one at Nicolas Smith trains in philly. It runs great...and I think the triplex won that whistle war..
I couldn't run a Virginian train and ignore the famous Post War Trainmaster, haha! Thanks for watching James!
Great review Chris. Thanks.
Have you ever reviewed a MTH engine equipped with Loco Sound? I think these are the most overlooked engines made by MTH. The cruise control on these engines is amazing. You can even broadcast your voice or music through the engine. Check it out and keep producing those great videos. Thanks.
Thanks Glenn! I have a Weaver Hiawatha that is equipped with MTH Protosound (first generation) but not sure I have any conventional engines with MTH Loco Sound. Might need to snag one eventually just to experience it!
Really great loco, terrific layout and fantastic award winning acting. Bring on the next test. 😊
Congrats on getting the Tri-Plex. The uniqueness of the whistle doe it for me!. Thanks for sharing the history of the Tri-Plex.
Chris I hope your having a great week. Love your videos! (retired N&W / NS engineer with 42 years) you should NEVER run a toy train without a caboose! I got my first Lionel engine, the 2055, in 1965. (it still runs) No big layout, but I still run them with the grandkids. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! I suppose you are referring to the lack of caboose on the Trainmaster at the end of the video?? Wasn't sure if it was acceptable to run that one with a caboose since I was using my Post War Erie Caboose on the Triplex train as an Easter Egg in the video. Noted for the future! :)
Big steam engines? We’re in!!
My grandpa grew up right along the Erie right of way and when the triplexes were first rolled out they had to run them through the territory to get them to their designated locations. He said the exhaust sounds from the loco were extremely loud he could hear the drivers slamming down on the road bed. Him and his brother both worked for the railroad too and gave the lifespan of these for 5 years max.
I love it
Absolutely FABULOUS video! This is the first I've heard/seen of models of this remarkable locomotive. Big shout-out to MTH for actually making a model of this, and of course, to YOU for letting us see this unique model!
Although sold out, the MTH site does show the original price of this model. It may be sacrilegious to say this, but for a model of this complexity, that original price seems quite reasonable.
Thanks again!
Thanks for watching @FlyingSpirit!
MTH Nailed the perfect whistle for this beast. Even though the real life ones carried hooters, that deep 3 chime gives ya the proper goosebumps
Man I'm so jealous. I've wanted a Triplex for so long, but I run HO. I have not found an HO Triplex yet. Yours is gorgeous though. I may be biased, but I think the Triplex has the better whistle. Really glad I found this channel
MTH showed an HO Triplex in their 2008 catalog, basically a "Look what's coming!" feature in what was an O Gauge catalog. However whether they actually built any I don't know, I'm not an HO guy and haven't looked into MTH HO products or their availabilities at all. So there MAY be some out there or maybe not. You'd have to do some checking.
Big, black and bad. That thing is a freak. It would be scary coming at you at any speed. My dad worked on the Erie, back in the late 30's. He loved trains. Those guys, in the 50's, would take an entire dock warehouse and build an entire layout with O and S gauge in Edgewater NJ. We just walked to the rail yard. It's all gone now. Only the stumps of the old docks are visible. Lucky to have experienced all that.
Must have been incredible to see. But even more incredible to hear your Dad's stories working on the Erie during the days of steam. Thanks for watching!
The triplex engine has a really nice whistle
I like the tri-plex whistle the best. That being said, the Lionel steam whistles have a more realistic, haunting sound. MTH makes great looking engines but their sounds need work.
Honestly I don’t know how many people in this world have EVER seen such beautiful trains and a layout like this also I’ve never seen a steam engine with drive wheels under the tender. And this guy is underrated he spends so much on this stuff and takes the time to edit and only has 43,000 subscribers. Guys subscribe to him!!!
Dude, you're literally just Jim Carrey with trains, and I love it.
I admire you and your love for trains! They're great 👍. There was a hamburger stand next to Knott's in CA that had a beautiful running train display up on the ceiling and center section. It was bigger than "O" guage. I'm going to see if it's still there next time I visit
I've said it before and I'll say it again...your videos remind me so much of the TM Books I Love Toy Trains videos! The lighting and different shots is just like I remember from those videos. Excellent work! I always anticipate the next video!
No doubt about it, Chris's videos are broadcast quality, no other way to describe them.
THAT IS SO COOL! we need to give respects to this man for the time and money he puts into his layout
Rbp do you ever plan on getting the lionel Pennsylvania steam turbine locomotive, also i think the triplex won the whistle competition
I would like to have one of those eventually. Thanks for watching!
i personally love the slow moving trains !!!
You and jason are to blame for me getting a triplex. Mine is the preimer erie in the Russian blue. When this one came up for sale on the ogr forum I snatched it up right away. You are correct in them being scarce and hard to find. I love it.
I blame Jason, haha!
It's quite a machine. Where did you find it? You got the right one.
Thanks Guss! Found this one at Trainz
Trainz has a Russian Blue Erie version for sale if you want to jump on that, Chris. I just got back from the LCCA convention in Concord NC, the location of Lionel HQ and I have the feeling that it is possible that Lionel may have acquired at least the tooling for the O gauge Triplex and we may see it released as a Vision Line locomotive in the next 2 years.
Great aqusition Chris! And go ahead, let it fly on the mainline, show what might have been!
The whistle battle? Well, I have to give it to the Big Boy but not by much, the Triplex whistle's pretty impressive in it's won right.
One thing's obvious, the MTH Triplex works better than the real one ever did! A great "might have been" on Baldwin's part, just too much and too soon.
Very nice model, I didn't know the Virginian had Triplex's, I thought it was exclusive to the Erie, interesting to learn that another railroad operated them too. I'd say in the whistle battle the Bigboy once again won as usual:) You and Eric Siegel from Ericstrains both posted a new video today, witch is awesome, as I got to watch new video from my 2 favorite train TH-camrs. Great video Chris congrats on finally getting a Triplex, a good engine for you to get would be the New York Central Mercury, a very stunning engine.
Ah yes, the Mercury would be a good one. Thank you for you support Zach!!
Hi Chris, I have just modified my engine called HANNAH. She has a new part on her skirt on the front. She is very sleek. She is also very big and very heavy on the bottom between the bogies. She has a vertical headlight. She can plow a lot of rocks like they're nothing. She even has a wider fuel tank that matches the bottom of her freight cars. I just thought you would like the details of the train. Cory Mears
Thanks to anyone who liked my comment. I meant to say vertical headlight, but I accidentally skipped the letter L. I just saw it and fixed it. Thanks again for liking the comments. Cory Mears
Personally I would get the MTH Pennsy Q2 duplex next.
Finding O gauge banking engines are hard to come by especially if they are one offs for the their respective companies, coming across the Midland Railway's Big Bertha was like winning the lottery for me.
Great video Chris! Such a beautiful locomotive. So unique to have drivers on the tender, as well as a smoke stack. You just don’t see that everyday. I think that Triplex won the whistle contest. The quilling whistle and the deep throating sound wins the show. It was great to see the ole Postwar brethren getting some attention as well running side by side in the video. We didn’t hear that authentic diesel horn from it though! LOL Great job as usual Chris. Tom
You are right, I should have sounded that classic horn, haha! Thanks for watching
I have always wanted one but now I have to find one in HO and honestly Chris....its just as hard to find one in HO! Great videos as always!
As popular as these engines seem to be, you would think they might be offered more. We shall see. Thanks for watching!
Amazing, I never knew this existed...
I am not sure if this is true, but apparently, the Triplex was so powerful it would break the couplers if they tried to go fast up a grade
it is. That's why those things usually pushed the trains from behind
@Joan Aguayo Planell thank you for correcting me.
Most coupler breakage and drawbar pullouts are at starting and sudden changes of speed.
If the Visionline 4014 Big Boy, it probably would’ve won, hands down. However, I personally believe that the Triplex won against the MTH Big Boy
Vision Line Big Boy is the reigning champ for sure!
The big boy whistle was the best because of the steam exhaust when you blew it.
Fun presentation! Thanks for explaining everything! Thank you
Cool locomotive, The Tri-plex didnt perform well due to the weight loss over the drivers under the tender as the locomotive used coal and water which caused slipping. If you wanted to count rivets I would guess that for the ease of production, they just used the same cylinders for all the driver sets. Looks as if they used low pressure ones for all 3 sets which can be identified by the large diameter of the pistons cylinders. A compound locomotive would have different sizes. Cheers Rob
I seriously question just how bad the slipping issue on the rear drivers was, or how much of a deal breaker it was. Garratt Locomotives would have had the exact same issue given their configuration, and while they weren't used in the US (the exact reason for which I have never been able to find an answer), it didn't stop those locomotives from being used on heavy trains and dealing with stiff grades in the places they were used.
As for the Cylinders, the Triplex was indeed a compound locomotive. The reason the cylinders are the same size is because it had 2 high pressure and 4 low pressure cylinders, with 1 high pressure cylinder feeding into 2 low pressure cylinders. Granted, to make full use of the low pressure steam, the cylinders would have needed to be a bit bigger, but not anywhere close to what you see on a Mallet type engine with the enormous low pressure cylinder and a relatively small high pressure one. All cylinders being the same size would work decently enough.
The main problem with the Triplex was it's inability to keep steam up, even though the boiler was only feeding two cylinders. This wasn't because the boiler was too small (it was still massive, after all), but because it basically had asthma. The exhaust blasts so common on steam locomotives are important to their function, as they create a vacuum in the smokebox and help pull air into the firebox, which massively boosts the heat output of the fire. On the Triplex however, the steam from the rear low pressure cylinders was exhausted out of a separate blast pipe instead of the smokestack, which (combined with the fact the steam was low pressure to begin with) made for rather anemic boiler drafting conditions. A draft fan, or routing the exhaust from the rear cylinders to the smokestack instead, could have solved that issue.
The original AA-20 had an arrangement of 2-14-2, but they changed it to a 2-14-4 wheel arrangement, the 2-14-2 arrangement would be 18 wheels, and the 2-14-4 would have 20 wheels, only 8 wheels short of the Erie Triplex, and 10 wheels short of the real Virginian Triplex.
I didnt know that the triplex was tronger than Big Boy but
This engine looks interesting
Such an epic engine
I will say this much, it looked pretty cool when you had your tri-plex running fast 🙂🙂
Both great, and bring visions of the bygone era.
The Try-plex whistle is a bit moe haunting. I love it.
Congrats & enjoy your Triplex!
Got to say love both of these but the 4014 just can’t be beaten by looks and that whistle with the smoke coming out can’t beat it, beautiful pieces tho man.
Won't lie, I can see the following exchange with the 4014 and the Triplex, during the whistle battle.
Triplex: Well well well if it ain't Mister King of Steam.
4014: That'd be me alright.
Triplex: Such a shame that you don't have as much tractive effort than me.
4014: *booming stern tone* You weigh about 200 tons less than me. I could DRAG YOU up Sherman Hill with ZERO SWEAT.
Triple: *was silent, scared, gulps* U-U-Understood. *puff away, to self* Geez, he really is scary when annoyed.
Gorgeous model....it's a piece of art frankly.
I love the LEGO Modulars you have there. They fit jn perfectly.
They are my favorite scene on the layout. After I built the first one, I thought it might work on the train layout so I added some more. Plus they are fun to assemble! Thanks for watching
Y’know what i just realized? What if you turned off the lights after getting some locomotives on the tracks, give them some passenger coaches and run a few trains around the layout? Almost like a night time run in the model train world!
The Triplex definitely look good at running speed!
4014 is the winner. Make it a rule that the 4014 whistle has to be included in every RBP Trains video.
Haha! I feel like it almost is at this point
While the triplex were able to generate more tractive effort than a big boy, they were not very successful
Besides for the slow speeds, I have heard that they would run out of steam very quickly so it had to stop quite often. Along with that I have heard that the rear set of drivers would tend to slip relatively often as the coal and water in the tender was used up
Quite true, most of it anyway. The Triplex was really a case of "Too much, too soon." It was an attempt to put as much power under one engineer's hand as possbile once the Mallet concept was pretty much perfected. Theoretically it could have handled a train five miles long. Maybe if the couplers could have held together but the Triplex's boiler just coudn't make enough steam for any practical speed over 5 MPH. So they were relegated to pusher service at least long enough for the Erie (and presumeably the Virginian) to get their money's worth out of them.
A history of Baldwin locomotives says the Baldwin designers figured in loss of traction on the tender drivers as the coal and water weights diminished. OK, if they say so.