MTH Premier 20-3069-1: Erie 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 2.0 (BCR Installed)

In 1914 the Erie Railroad accepted delivery of a gigantic Baldwin-built 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex steamer. The Erie P1-class tipped the scales at 853,050 pounds, and the third set of eight drivers, placed under the tender, meant that 89 percent of that weight was available for adhesion. When the Erie saw plans for the Triplex, they thought it represented the perfect solution to their primary operating problem: hauling heavy freight over Susquehanna Hill, a route where a short, steep grade significantly reduced the capacity of most road steamers. The Triplex eliminated the need for additional pushers to help a load top the hill. The engine's articulation also meant that of the total driving wheelbase of 71' 6", only 16' 6" was rigid - ideal for the winding track over Susquehanna Hill. Best of all, because it distributed its weight over such a large number of wheels, it combined high tractive effort with moderate axle loads, which meant it ran well on reasonably light track. It was so successful on the Erie's tricky Susquehanna route that the railroad ordered two more Triplexes in 1916. The difficulty of maintaining full steam pressure combined with the cost of maintenance on what was essentially three engines in one led to the Triplex's retirement in 1927. This extraordinary engine is finally available in O Gauge die-cast. This beautifully detailed Premier model will be the king of any working freight line. Did You Know? The Erie Triplex was engineered to haul 640 fifty-ton cars in a train almost five miles long, but because the draft gears of the early twentieth century could not have handled such a load, the 2-8-8-8-2 was never put to a full test.

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• Die-Cast Boiler and Tender Body
• Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Constant Voltage Headlight
• Die-Cast Truck Sides
• Precision Pittman Flywheel Equipped Motor
• Locomotive Speed Control
• Remote Controlled Proto-Coupler
• Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Operating Firebox Glow
• Metal Handrails and Decorative Bell
• Decorative Metal Whistle
• Operating Marker Lights
• Lighted Cab Interior
• Operating ProtoSmoker System
• Proto-Sound 2.0 With The Digital Command System
  • Featuring:- Freight Yard Proto-Effects
• Unit Measures:27 1/4" x 3" x 4 1/4"
• Operates On O-72 Curves
• BCR INSTALLED
• BOX Included

Grade: C-8

Grading Details:
C-10 Mint – Brand New: All original, unused and unblemished.
C-9 Factory New – Brand New: all original, unused, may evidence factory rubs and the slightest evidence of handling, shipping and having been test run at the factory.
C-9 New-Old-Stock: all original, unused, and typically out of production and may evidence factory rubs and shows considerable evidence of handling, shipping and aging.
C-8 Like New: Complete all original. No rust, no missing parts, may show effects of being on display and/or age, may have been run.
C-7 Excellent: All original minute scratches and paint nicks, no rust and no missing parts. No distortion of component parts.
C-6 Very Good: Minor scratches and paint nicks, minor spots of surface rust, free of dents. May have minor parts replaced.
C-5 Good: Sign of play wear with scratches and minor paint loss. Small dents, minor surface rust. Evidence of heavy use.
C-4 Fair: Scratched. Moderate paint loss, dented missing parts, surface rust. Evidence of heavy use.
C-3 Poor: Requires major body repair. Heavily scratched, major rust and missing parts. Restoration candidate.
C-2 Restoration required: Restoration required.
C-1 Junk, parts value only: Junk, parts value only