I love Walthers rolling stock, especially their intermodal cars! Their well cars are made of metal which lets them track very well and they're tough as nails! Their TOFC cars and autoracks are right up there with them. I like their locomotives too, but tend to prefer the Mainline and Trainline offerings over the Proto series, cost and durability being the main factors.
Hello! I sure appreciate that. Yes, the folks at Walthers did an excellent job on these units! Their building kits already populate my layout…might as well have some of their engines as well. Ha! -Mike
Hello! Walthers did a great job on these. know a lot of guys enjoy putting on the extra road-specific details. But, it’s also nice to have units ready to go out of the box! -Mike
Nice review. Do these have some kind of keep alive circuit / do they have any issues with dropping out over dead frogs or dirty patches of track? The only problem I see for me is no BN paint schemes, maybe next run.
Hi, Bruce! Thank you! I don’t have Keep Alive installed on these. Admittedly, I have had a few spots on turnouts where it has been sensitive and dropped out on me. I found it was just some spots down in there that were a little dirty. A good cleaning with my track solution cured that, thankfully. But, I’m sure it’ll be something I’ll have to keep up on. I’m with you in the BN units…I might have to snag a couple if they offer those! -Mike
Thats a really nice MKT sw1200 the fine details an road specific .. wow , as a child I would see a pair of these sometimes with a Calf , switching a branch line where I lived here in Canada . Near every night you could hear that sweet rumble , out the door on my bike to chase the train as it switched the many local industries. Still one of my favorite locomotives.. Cheers , thank you for sharing...
Hi, there! Thanks so much! I’m really enjoying these units so far. Those are some great memories! I also miss seeing these old switchers around. The BN also had quite a few of different makes and models, and I always enjoyed seeing them kick cars around the yards (the BN is my “other” favorite green railroad- ha). -Mike
I have a small number of weathers locomotives in the BN. They do run well and I never have issues with them. There passenger cars are great. I do like the older proto locomotives to detail up and to weather. They can be cheap, run great after an overhaul adding DCC sound, add the detail and finish with the wreathing. They make for great fantasies industrial switchers or you can get very realistic with the prototype also. Highly recommend giving it a try!
Hello! Yes, I’ve been very pleased so far. I had some Walthers units a few years back, but they were pretty basic on the detail. They’ve come a long way since then! I’ve also had some of their Proto line cars and have enjoyed those as well. -Mike
I find Walthers rolling stock to be nicely detailed and accurate. I run Atlas and Athearn locos, so I can't review those. I only saw a switch engine on the Sedalia sub once. It was at the end of the typical loco consist, I figure it was a power transfer to St. Louis. Neat to see, but there was no camera on me at the time...rats.
Hi, Byron. I know the feeling about missing out due to no camera! I saw some footage once of one of the re-engined Baldwin switchers on Train 102…probably like the one you saw headed to Baden. These Walthers engines are nice and I couldn’t resist the temptation. They’ll definitely have a good spot once I build the layout as far as Saint Louis and/or Parsons. Their stay in Sedalia will just be considered a temporary break in period until then! Ha. -Mike
Hello! Yes, I saw that announcement and it made my day! I put my pre-order in and am very excited. It’ll be a wait, but I’m sure it’ll be well worth it! -Mike
Hello! I sure appreciate that. In addition to the #3 featured in this video, I also have the #1. I’ll show them running in consist in a future episode. I’m loving them and may end up getting the others in the run- if I can find them…it seems as if some retailers are running out of them already! -Mike
Another great video finally all sorts of neat engines and cars coming for MKT, Mike did you ever find some more PVC pipe for your grain elevator project can't wait to see how that turns out. Andy
Hi, Andrew! I appreciate that! Yes, I was able to finally track down some pipe. I hope to get back on that project soon. I ended up getting busy with several other projects I need to wrap up. That's how my distracted brain tends to work. Ha! -Mike
Hi, Mark! Yes, that’s my plan...they’re way too clean right now! I’ve been waiting to do a lot of units together assembly-line style. Now, if I can just get a weekend free to accomplish that! Ha.
Thank you! They’re great little engines. While they Katy didn’t use many of these on the subdivision I’m modeling, they remind me of all the ones BN had at the yard in Springfield, Missouri- my “other” hometown. That’s part of the fun of having a layout…doing it your own way sometimes! Ha. -Mike
Hi, Steve! I haven’t seen these in N scale yet. That would be nice for those who model that size. We will have to wait and see what comes down the pike! -Mike
Super sharp paint & details that are correct! Paint is spot on & THANKS to Walthers for getting “it right!” Great review Mike! Good to finally meet you in person in Grapevine!
Thank you, Devin! Awesome meeting in person and having a chance to chat for a bit. Looking forward to showing off my new Mesquite Belt hat in my next episode!! I’m loving the SW1200s. Walthers sure hit it out of the park with these! Have you been able to find anything out about the guys having issues with their units? -Mike
@@MainTrack YES, Walthers is now aware there is an issue. Multiple people have had issues when programming the decoder or even just running the engine. Walthers is working on what the solution is when your unit has issues…. Stay tuned for more details as this story develops…
Hi, Randall! Thank you! I did see Rapido is coming out with the 40s! I had to pinch myself to make sure we weren’t dreaming when we saw the announcement. Haha. I put in my preorder and can’t wait! -Mike
@MainTrack I hear ya man! When they announced they were doing the U25B in Frisco colors (it arrived yesterday) and the C30-7 in Burlington Northern colors a little over a year ago, I pre ordered both the first chance I got! Us MKT, Frisco, and BN guys have been feasting well the past couple of years!
Todays question: What has your experience been with locomotives and other rolling stock from Walthers?
I love Walthers rolling stock, especially their intermodal cars! Their well cars are made of metal which lets them track very well and they're tough as nails! Their TOFC cars and autoracks are right up there with them. I like their locomotives too, but tend to prefer the Mainline and Trainline offerings over the Proto series, cost and durability being the main factors.
Can't go wrong with Walthers if you want to run trains. Nice review 👍😁OperateOnOperator
Hello! I sure appreciate that. Yes, the folks at Walthers did an excellent job on these units! Their building kits already populate my layout…might as well have some of their engines as well. Ha! -Mike
Super sharp! Love the look of those air filter boxes and the spark arrestors.
Hello! Walthers did a great job on these. know a lot of guys enjoy putting on the extra road-specific details. But, it’s also nice to have units ready to go out of the box! -Mike
Nice review. Do these have some kind of keep alive circuit / do they have any issues with dropping out over dead frogs or dirty patches of track? The only problem I see for me is no BN paint schemes, maybe next run.
Hi, Bruce! Thank you! I don’t have Keep Alive installed on these. Admittedly, I have had a few spots on turnouts where it has been sensitive and dropped out on me. I found it was just some spots down in there that were a little dirty. A good cleaning with my track solution cured that, thankfully. But, I’m sure it’ll be something I’ll have to keep up on. I’m with you in the BN units…I might have to snag a couple if they offer those! -Mike
The motor flywheels are "keep alive" analogs--they just don't store as much energy. @@MainTrack
Hi Mike landis hey I got a amtrak GE dash 8 ho scale atlas!
Hi, Ethan! That’s awesome…I bet it’s pretty sharp! Those were always some of my favorite Amtrak units. -Mike
Thats a really nice MKT sw1200 the fine details an road specific .. wow , as a child I would see a pair of these sometimes with a Calf , switching a branch line where I lived here in Canada . Near every night you could hear that sweet rumble , out the door on my bike to chase the train as it switched the many local industries. Still one of my favorite locomotives..
Cheers , thank you for sharing...
Hi, there! Thanks so much! I’m really enjoying these units so far. Those are some great memories! I also miss seeing these old switchers around. The BN also had quite a few of different makes and models, and I always enjoyed seeing them kick cars around the yards (the BN is my “other” favorite green railroad- ha). -Mike
I have a small number of weathers locomotives in the BN. They do run well and I never have issues with them. There passenger cars are great. I do like the older proto locomotives to detail up and to weather. They can be cheap, run great after an overhaul adding DCC sound, add the detail and finish with the wreathing. They make for great fantasies industrial switchers or you can get very realistic with the prototype also. Highly recommend giving it a try!
Hello! Yes, I’ve been very pleased so far. I had some Walthers units a few years back, but they were pretty basic on the detail. They’ve come a long way since then! I’ve also had some of their Proto line cars and have enjoyed those as well. -Mike
I find Walthers rolling stock to be nicely detailed and accurate. I run Atlas and Athearn locos, so I can't review those. I only saw a switch engine on the Sedalia sub once. It was at the end of the typical loco consist, I figure it was a power transfer to St. Louis. Neat to see, but there was no camera on me at the time...rats.
Hi, Byron. I know the feeling about missing out due to no camera! I saw some footage once of one of the re-engined Baldwin switchers on Train 102…probably like the one you saw headed to Baden. These Walthers engines are nice and I couldn’t resist the temptation. They’ll definitely have a good spot once I build the layout as far as Saint Louis and/or Parsons. Their stay in Sedalia will just be considered a temporary break in period until then! Ha. -Mike
Hello did you see the rapido announcement of their MKT gp40/slug combo? it looks cool
Hello! Yes, I saw that announcement and it made my day! I put my pre-order in and am very excited. It’ll be a wait, but I’m sure it’ll be well worth it! -Mike
hello main track trains it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks main track trains friends randy
Hi there, Randy! Thank you…I sure appreciate you watching as always. I’m glad you enjoyed the video! -Mike
Great video. How many switchers did you get?
Hello! I sure appreciate that. In addition to the #3 featured in this video, I also have the #1. I’ll show them running in consist in a future episode. I’m loving them and may end up getting the others in the run- if I can find them…it seems as if some retailers are running out of them already! -Mike
That's a nice looking and sounding locomotive.
Thanks, David! Totally agreed! They’ve made a nice addition ot the roster. -Mike
Very nice looking engine. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John. I appreciate you watching! Walthers hit it out of the park with these. -Mike
Another great video finally all sorts of neat engines and cars coming for MKT, Mike did you ever find some more PVC pipe for your grain elevator project can't wait to see how that turns out. Andy
Hi, Andrew! I appreciate that! Yes, I was able to finally track down some pipe. I hope to get back on that project soon. I ended up getting busy with several other projects I need to wrap up. That's how my distracted brain tends to work. Ha! -Mike
Mike, know how that goes happens to me all the time too many different projects going at one time. Andy
That is cool! You going to put a little "hotsauce" on those? A bit of dirt?
Hi, Mark! Yes, that’s my plan...they’re way too clean right now! I’ve been waiting to do a lot of units together assembly-line style. Now, if I can just get a weekend free to accomplish that! Ha.
Great review! I love my SW1200. I saw several rotated through Dallas in the late 80's & early 90's.
Thank you! They’re great little engines. While they Katy didn’t use many of these on the subdivision I’m modeling, they remind me of all the ones BN had at the yard in Springfield, Missouri- my “other” hometown. That’s part of the fun of having a layout…doing it your own way sometimes! Ha. -Mike
@@MainTrack - Absolutely!
Will you be at the OMRA show this year?
Hi, Stacy! Yes, I definitely have to plans to be there. I’m looking forward to it! -Mike
I wonder if they have them in N scale ?
Hi, Steve! I haven’t seen these in N scale yet. That would be nice for those who model that size. We will have to wait and see what comes down the pike! -Mike
Super sharp paint & details that are correct!
Paint is spot on & THANKS to Walthers for getting “it right!”
Great review Mike!
Good to finally meet you in person in Grapevine!
Thank you, Devin! Awesome meeting in person and having a chance to chat for a bit. Looking forward to showing off my new Mesquite Belt hat in my next episode!! I’m loving the SW1200s. Walthers sure hit it out of the park with these! Have you been able to find anything out about the guys having issues with their units? -Mike
@@MainTrack
YES, Walthers is now aware there is an issue. Multiple people have had issues when programming the decoder or even just running the engine. Walthers is working on what the solution is when your unit has issues….
Stay tuned for more details as this story develops…
Very cool switcher Mike! By the way, did you see Rapido is coming out with a GP40 in MKT colors and that it will have the matching slug as well?
Hi, Randall! Thank you! I did see Rapido is coming out with the 40s! I had to pinch myself to make sure we weren’t dreaming when we saw the announcement. Haha. I put in my preorder and can’t wait! -Mike
@MainTrack I hear ya man! When they announced they were doing the U25B in Frisco colors (it arrived yesterday) and the C30-7 in Burlington Northern colors a little over a year ago, I pre ordered both the first chance I got! Us MKT, Frisco, and BN guys have been feasting well the past couple of years!
That goes good with your layout
Thank you, Bernice! It’s definitely a great little unit. It’ll be getting plenty of use, that’s for sure! -Mike
Great video, and info!
Thank you…I sure appreciate that! -Mike