MTH Amtrak AEM-7

A review of the MTH 3-Rail O-Scale Amtrak AEM-7. More videos on the Eric's Trains KZbin channel and at www.ericstrains.com

[@biscuitag97]

I used to take NE Regionals home from school from New Haven, CT to Old Saybrook. Those old toasters would get us cranking up to 115 and complete a 38 mile trip in about 28 minutes. Cool engines and thanks for sharing!

[@aj3751]

I'm jealous!

[@noahwilliams8918]

Wow, hearing that bell took me back. Felt like I was standing right next to one of the many regionals I'd just hopped off as a kid as it rolled away. Rest in peace, toasters. :(

[@jamessawyer4625]

Eric your layout is so nice. Looking better every time I see it. Great review too

[@mhgs13]

Another great review Eric. I do however have a slight problem as far as the lighting goes. In the direction of travel the only lights that should be in operation are the strobes, headlights and ditch lights. The red light at the top of the cab would come on if the train is in emergency. The two red marker lights are on if the engine is in push mode. Which would denote the tail end of the train. The lighting for these locomotives is basically the same set up operation as the F40PH, E60CP ,P30CH and othe Amtrak motive power. Love all the reviews and you have a great layout.

[@lantabusfan]

mhgs13 I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed.

[@TomedysTrains]

Great review and demonstration of MTH's AEM-7 Eric! The Amtrak AEM-7 #947 [in the Phase IV paint scheme] is kind of special to me because in the real world in 2000, I saw it pull a train with the Pullman "Dover Harbor" heavyweight sleeper-lounge car in the summer of that year on the Northeast Corridor in Milford, CT and then in October of that year, I saw it pull another train on the Northeast Corridor in Milford, CT with the Wabash "Cannonball" heavyweight observation car; so I guess that makes #947 special to me since it's one of my "lucky" locomotives. The MTH AEM-7 looks great, love the shiny finish on its body work and all of the working lights, although I wish MTH would put more research into their PFA effects because the Silver Star goes from Miami to New York, not up to Boston.

[@ashtonmorrison642]

Wow that must have been an amazing catch

[@nathanielcruz6675]

Cool, and I wondered why these engines are called "toasters?"

[@TomedysTrains]

@@nathanielcruz6675 They are nicknamed "Toasters" because of their boxy appearance, like toaster ovens.

[@nathanielcruz6675]

@@TomedysTrains, wow. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

[@billwardsr7811]

Thank you for a great presentation of this excellent AEM7 model. I bought this model #930 (20-5689-1) six months ago and installed the MTH Catenary system to operate it. Once the catenary was 'fine tuned' (it took lots of patience to adjust the wires, poles, spacing, etc), my model #930 runs great under the catenary powered system. The model's flashing led lights operate on the 'front' when the locomotive is moving forward which I believe is the correct orientation. When the loco is reversed, the led lights change to the forward direction of the locomotive. Check with MTH to confirm the correct operation of the flashing lights.I ordered the AEM7 Phase IV (20-5711-1) 2018 version with the operating pantographs plus the 20-61042 Phase IV Superliner set. Having lived in DC for many years, I got to see and occasionally ride trains pulled by this excellent locomotive.Enjoy all of your videos!

[@robertcampbell6713]

Eriks Trains.... what can I say but WOW! Hours of enjoyment watching your videos! I have liked and subscribed... The AEM7 is my favorite because I was a Conductor on the Northeast Corridor in the yard and on the mainline from DC to NYC... the only problem with Rh is video is the strobe lights on top blink in the direction of forward NOT reverse the strobes blink in the forward movement... if you watch real life AEM7s in visions you’ll notice this.... I am HUGE FAN!!! Keep up the GREAT videos!!!Bob C. retired Amtrak Conductor Bradenton Fl.

[@coopertroopa44]

Eric I think your lighting is wired wrong inside the engine. I have a MTH NJT one that is a few years older than the 2014 model. The strobes are supposed to be lit on the front of the engine with the headlight and ditch lights. The marker lights should be lit on the rear of the engine while the engine is moving forward.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

Those were my immediate first thoughts. Not owning any models like this, I still know something is wrong. Especially having the headlight on WITH the red marker lights, and having the strobe lights operating at the wrong end. Doesn't make sense! MTH and Lionel supposedly test their models after assembly, right?

[@Mcnibbus]

The wiring could be correct because the engines that NJT has are a variation of the aem -7 itself

[@joeseymour4073]

Yes something's wrong with the wiring on that loco; it would've been nice to see the correct lighting effects in operation and in a "nighttime" scene too on the layout. It'd show off the lighted interiors on the coaches as well. 🤔 Great review anyway though! 👍

[@noahwilliams8918]

You're right. Watch a toaster on the main and you'll see the strobes flashing on the leading end.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

I'm happy to say all of SEPTA's toasters are still with us being stored at Frazer but all are retired since December of 2018 in favor of the ACS-64s

[@TrainsForever]

I love how you go into full detail not a lot of people do that. Your channel is my favorite model train channel. Good job 👍

[@edwardepps5063]

Hi Erie, a great review! I'm glad to hear that this MTH engine is made for Septa in Philadelphia because I live in Philadelphia and work for Septa and see this everyday from my parking lot. I must buy this for my collection. In addition the NJ Transit looks great as well. keep up the great work Eric!!!

[@aaronspringborn34]

That bell is perfect! Sounds spot on Prototypically speaking! That’s what a modern diesel electric locomotive would sound today exactly!

[@WideWorldofTrains]

Cool video and nice narration of the unit and its history

[@hotshotsportz6006]

Wide World of Trains:Hi

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

Wide World of Trains I agree

[@fmartino100]

Hi Eric, another great video, you are the best. That AEM-7 was a great little engine, it was fast, powerful and beautiful in it's own way. It will be missed by the railfans and by me. MTH did a great job reproducing it, but still needs a little work on its crew talk. But the station announcements are great. Thanks again for the review it was great, I'll watch it over and over and over...Frank

[@skadushy6123]

I have never clicked a video so fast Ive always wanted to see a aem7 or acs64 on the layout

[@MissChevelle71]

Eric, your AEM-7 is amazing!

[@haroldalexis4200]

Good review & running on the MTH O gauge version of The Amtrak AEM 7. Other facts: ABB TRACTION, GM, & BUDD (Not GE) that teamed to build this fantastic electric. The ALP 44 was the late comer in 1992 for New Jersey Transit. I acquired a lot of them in HO scale by Atlas. How i miss them those high speed SWEDISH MEATBALLS running so fast. The treat to watch them was in New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor, & in Connecticut on The Metro North Commuter line New Haven lines & of course many pictures i took of them. I definitely want to pull mine out after viewing this. Hopefully i get either ones this was a good runner! 🏃👍✅

[@boblandess9349]

HI ERIC ... I NOW HAVE YOUR LEGACY STATION TRAIN BUILDING INSTALLED ON MY LAYOUT ... A NICE ADDITION ... I SAW THAT BUILDING ON THIS VIDEO ... LOVE ALL OF YOUR VIDEOS ... KEEP'EM COMING ... BOB HERE

[@ldever3]

That’s a really nice set you put together. Typically I’m not an Amtrak fan, having taken Amtrak from New Orleans to New York, on a train that I don’t think was cleaned since the 70s. But those cars with that engine do look good.

[@JonatanGronoset]

ASEA (pron. "Aaseea") and the RC class of thyristor-electrics were revolutionary with the system making wide-spread fame worldwide. Other countries using the thyristor technology were Austria who bought what was the predecessor to the Swedish RC locomotives. The RC's are still in use today with some members of the class being well over 40 years old. Glad to see this model of the AEM-7. I've seen the real thing, an NJT unit, in a yard waiting shipment to the US when I was younger.

[@paulm.gilbert1096]

Eric, those flaps outside of the engineers position aren't wind screens they're rear view mirrors. Love your videos, keep em coming.

[@aaronspringborn34]

By the way for an MTH engineThe crew talk sounds are original and sound so real!

[@AndyEinstman]

Happy Saturday Eric

[@peterlovaglio9979]

Nice job Eric !! Great looking engine.

[@GeraldMcGinley]

Some interesting choices on MTH's part honestly... The strobes and markers are fairly strange. I've only ever seen them flash at the front. Not sure where MTH got that idea from. As well as with the marker lights, they should mark the rear, not the front, and the center light is the emergency strobe, which activates when the engine goes into emergency. Apart from that this is a fantastic model!

[@vincente9456]

I have the exact same engine as Eric and it runs with the lighting exactly as you say it should be-strobes up front, red marker lights in the rear. Maybe Eric has a particular preference.

[@Polak-dd7ds]

The early years of Amtrak. These locomotived were there. Great review. Hope to see more tinplate standard gauge stuff, like a few state passenger cars or a few freight cars!

[@SteamKing2160]

The AEM-7 one of my favorite electrics.

[@matthewrotchford]

Really cool, thanks for the review and letting me know about the motorized pantographs. I'm thinking about pre-ordering one of these.

[@Porschedude8]

Excellent! Thanks Eric!

[@josephcirillo5292]

Another great review....TY Eric....

[@JerryDoesThings_1604]

17:07 Amazing shot of a classic locomotive.

[@eastco_obe]

I believe trainworld has these locomotives in stock I'm hopefully goin to be able to order on here soon. Awesome layout btw and I enjoy your reviews

[@conradmoestl829]

Great vid dude

[@kenc4240]

As Usual Eric Over The Top Review !!!!

[@trainz832]

nice locomotive

[@rafe5556]

I see a toaster

[@danielhemple8649]

@Nathaniel Cruzthe shape

[@switchpointproductions7927]

What a fantastic model!!

[@ashtonmorrison642]

I have a suggestion for Amtrak P.O. 91 you should get the mth Amtrak a fleet cars and then hook up the 21 inch Lionel cars to the back of the amfleets

[@Chessie1985]

Awesome review Eric!!!!!

[@northwesternohiorailfan5622]

Beautiful k5la

[@engineerpat5290]

WELL DONE ERIC

[@goldenfreddy0142]

I miss the real AEM-7 but this model looks amazing good video

[@rkpr9370]

I love it it’s a nice little toaster

[@parkertrainz6149]

That engine looks cool!!

[@globalintermodal]

Nice..Eric..

[@reg1275]

MTH's representation of the AEM 7 looks great! I just dont like the coupling space between the amtrak cars.

[@aj3751]

Me neither, but I think it has to do with the nature of the hobby. These trains are almost always running on tables, making tighter turns than their real life counterparts. If the gaps were smaller, the train would have to make wider turns

[@streetskate2045]

theres like two or three dozen of these all in nj transit livery all abandoned on these atv trails in lake hopatcong nj. apparently they are spider nests at this point

[@WilliamCreator57]

Job well done Eric. :)

[@Csx_Ns]

I love the horn on it.

[@bobdillow5939]

Eric, the AEM-7 are aka the TOASTER ENGINE.

[@nathanielcruz6675]

Why are they called "toaster engines?"

[@justghostgamingx3966]

Don't worry Eric, some EMD AEM-7s are operational.

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

Actually New Jersey Transit did not have AEM-7 locomotives they have Swedish built ALP-44 locomotives that were built in Sweden that look like AEM-7s

[@dtrail3276]

Cool!

[@andrewcrane2786]

I live in Baltimore md. MARC only had two AM7 locomotives.

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

that k5la horn sounds cool

[@spproductions5103]

Great review

[@boylesterminalshops6841]

Max Harris needs one of these

[@mikeadams3977]

Nice job as usual, Eric. I enjoy all your content and always look out for anything new you post. I also want to compliment you on your editing. Always nicely done. What editing software do you use?

[@Random.Channel_]

I like the phase 4

[@Dansvideos03]

Got that nice EBell

[@mamanbear1]

Beautiful set. Good video and I don't particularly like the Amtrak livery. It really looks good on the layout.

[@microbusss]

hope some of these locos got preserved

[@microbusss]

also what doesn't make sense to me is that the strobes light up on the rear of loco when moving forward Shouldn't the strobes light up on the FRONT of loco?

[@odenviking]

I think that they have gone some back to swedish cargo and pass private companies . SJ had refebished a lot of them as RC and those locos are going to bee here well beyond 2020 ies i guess since swedish trainh companies tries to keep same locos as long sa possible. Keep up the good work

[@mercury7590]

You’ll need to put up some catenary lines if you keep getting electrics! Fantastic, keep up the good work! Btw, were the E60s actually considered failures? I know they were rough riding, but I think that was the only major problem they had.

[@lenox132]

At a little over 13" long does MTH states "min track 042" because after 031 which radius is probably too tight, their next track size is 042. Why don't they take in consideration "fastrack 036, is it because they don't make it.

[@Gordons1888]

You should add a pantograph on one of your lines for the electric trains

[@Gordons1888]

And an electric train running session

[@Honeydwarf85]

That takes an ungodly amount of work

[@Poopsticle_256]

I love AEM-7s

[@connorholler5624]

Love that train

[@SRRC245]

AMTRAK AMTRAK AMTRAK!!!!

[@torriferguson7224]

Eric can you come to Miami because I live in Miami

[@PhotoMan69]

Awesome video. Question...if you addeds would this train operate?

[@rail-ryder7135]

Besides the Vision Line GE ES44s have you ever had other Lionel legacy engines broken?

[@noobplays3759]

Nj transit and septa used the alp 44

[@teddsoost4329]

Will this work on a O-36? On MTH's website says O-42. I can understand that the long cars might not.

[@APOTwixx]

Can we see a train run through the other rooms during a review? It feels like it has been awhile since I’ve seen a train though the Colorado room, etc. Thanks!

[@krunchski9852]

Any good tips for building a o gauge train table?

[@austina1452]

Reviews coming out fast now.

[@TobyPasman]

Did you order the Union Pacific 21” passenger cars for your Lionel UP 844 and 4014?

[@TomzTrainzandAccessories]

The video is great as usual, but when showing the detailing of the side frames and lower parts of the locomotives, it needs to have better lighting. You really can’t get a good view of everything because it’s either too dark or has some glare.

[@mariacisneros8565]

another nam for the AEM-7 is the swedish meatball or the toaster

[@ntytp]

Eric make me toast NOW

[@brok3nD1am0nd45]

I sometimes mistake these with the ALP-44

[@MrAlex-ej8ov]

It's the toaster!!!

[@nguoiviet2937]

Please tell me the Lionel number of these passenger cars. They have sounds!

[@scubajoe3321]

Why are the marker lights on?

[@najam_042]

Love it awesome

[@TheDiamondFish]

And the Budd Company

[@daniellucas6573]

Being that the AEM-7 is one of my favorite electric locomotives, does this O scale model go fast like the real one?

[@necjerseyrailfan7500]

Yes it really does

[@egesicki]

Because of the motorized pantograph

[@dylanhale7300]

It's the Toaster!

[@egesicki]

WAY TO GO mth

[@Bacon47SuperSakura]

We saw an AEM-7 We just went under the bridge and we saw aem 7.

[@MU2DRVRca]

Nice work as always, your layout is so awesome for those trackside runbys. Question: the strobe lights flash at the trailing end in operation, is that accurate? Seems like strobes should be on leading end for warning on approach?

[@MichaelB450]

Yeah others have also pointed that out. Must be a wiring issue.

[@FranzFerdinandVIII]

(26.Dec.2019) *14:44* If Melleniumforce was the conductor of the Silver Star...

[@raptorproductions1639]

Next do the polar express

[@raptorproductions1639]

doobear320 lion chief first then at another time legacy

[@Bacon47SuperSakura]

Amtrak aem 7 is so fast. Is the faster train like acela?

[@3dkidsartfairs]

Get some Amfleet coaches to go with it!

[@MatthewTheRailfanner]

Do they sell these in Phase III and V?

[@zombiefootsoldier2983]

Your using it without over head wires, what is this witchcraft?

[@robertcushman1022]

What girder bridge is that?

[@asianpower-yw3bn]

You should've gotten New Jersey Transit