MTH C&O M-1 Steam Turbine

A review of the new MTH 3-Rail O-Scale Chesapeake & Ohio M-1 Steam Turbine. More videos are available on the Eric's Trains KZbin channel and at www.ericstrains.com. Subscribe today! Thank you for watching!
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[@eugeeropel5572]

I’m so so sorry that one of these wasn’t preserved for display at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, this was one of the most sleek locomotives ever designed and built with the front end being slanted, it almost looked like it was moving while it was standing still. Even the tender was great, it looked like it was built by the Budd Company being stainless steel. In my opinion, an all around masterpiece.

[@rowsdower12]

I just saw it at the B&O museum in September of this year. Looked so cool!

[@justahillbilly7777]

@@rowsdower12 You saw C&O 490, an L1 Hudson 4-6-4. Those were the result of the rebuilding of preexisting F-19 4-6-2’s to compliment the M-1’s. Like OP said, not a single M-1 was preserved, or any steam turbine locomotive, regrettably.

[@rowsdower12]

@@justahillbilly7777 I appreciate that! Thanks for the clarification. Helps!

[@FruitBrute2003]

God that whistle is something else. sends shivers down my spine, amazing

[@tamelljohnson6967]

I wonder now that engineering advanced over the years would they be able to get that steam turbine project back up again, it would be awesome to see these run on the railways

[@theq4602]

A braton cycle helium or nitrogen turbine would be better. Super compact.

[@TravisDGordon]

Fun Fact! The original dome-observation intended for the “Chessie” is undergoing restoration at TVRM in Chattanooga. Car 1877, the “Linoma”.

[@cdp200442]

The main reason for these experimental locomotives was the C&O and other “coal roads” were surrounded by 100’s of years worth of coal reserve that is more plentiful than oil still today

[@s.sestric9929]

Coal is plentiful but to mine and haul it is no longer cost effective. That's why coal has been in steep decline for over 50 years.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

They should of invested in coal gasification. I know it's not as efficient as diesel fuel but they would of gotten it for free from their own mjnes instead of paying through the nose with OPEC.

[@hansenfiet2539]

Coal was and still is cheap until the Obama EPA slapped so many fees on to burn it with multi-million dollar smokestack scrubbers, that the power companies couldn’t afford to use it anymore. Our power bills have increased exponentially thanks to that.

[@wheels845]

wow, brings back many memories of my dad and his massive train sets.

[@gntlmn1956]

In the start-up sounds..... "Oil up the side rods"???... LMAO... Too Funny.

[@phoenixwolf15kamsieneda73]

17:18-17:29 that’s a majestic whistle. Also it was used in a train sim game

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Very beautiful model! The prototype is fascinating in itself, and I could see an engine like this being a nice conversation piece on a layout. I wish more of these unusual locomotives made their way into HO and other scales, they're lots of fun to look at.

[@charlesmcclure5994]

What a awesome looking engine, I don't have a O scale layout, but I would put it on display in my apartment. Now if someone would only make an N scale vision.

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

You'd need a big apartment - even for an N-scale version :)

[@parkerpresley5800]

C&O shouldve just gone with a electric middle rail with some nice motors and big speakers, would've worked a lot better! :)

[@hifijohn]

Don't forget the giant hand that put derailed cars back on the track.

[@beeking1792]

I wish that this locomotive was preserved, maybe one day the same team that is building a building a brand new T-1 locomotive could one day rebuild the M-1 turbine with some changes 1. Get all the design flaws out of it. 2. Have it run on oil. Overall this would've been an awesome exusion train. Would be nice to see this locomotive class to be brought back to life.

[@curious5887]

Same, it’s look so cool

[@FullFledged2010]

Probably going to offend a lot of steam lovers but i think this is most badass looking steamloco ever made 🙌

[@curious5887]

No, I'm not offended, as steam lovers, it is the best looking steam locomotive ever made, you actually offend diesel lover

[@hectorsproductions2018]

15:50 i love the whistle of M1.

[@andrewiantorno6942]

They had a air-actuated steam whistle and a airhorn, the thing is these engines weren't total failures. There very efficient in high-speeds, but eat so much coal.

[@hectorsproductions2018]

@@andrewiantorno6942 why couldn’t they be converted to oil then?

[@andrewiantorno6942]

@@hectorsproductions2018 They really should've, it would've brought the locomotive into preserved status of the locomotive.

[@zeeeman8744]

Eric, once again an outstanding video with a lot of informative tidbits. Thanks !

[@eugeeropel5572]

Also. Thank you for posting and sharing this introduction video, you did an outstanding job with it.

[@JerryDoesThings_1604]

Great review as usual! Loved the blooper reel at the end lol.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

This is one of the most beautiful machines ever built. I know efficeny would never reach what new locos can, but it would be cool if they could have worked all the kinks out so they could atleast be pulled out every so often for speciel occasions because i would love to ride behind one of these engines. if they fix the engine might as well bring the rest of the cars into modern style with coupled bogies and cars that fit together.

[@gundathroneps448]

Would love to see the yellow belly Hudson with those cars!!!

[@UrMomsChauffer]

Amazing to see the overhang on the front and back of that engine, as it goes around a curve.

[@vincentvanpaepeghem4844]

Great video Eric! Thanks for sharing.

[@astromotive6047]

25:10 I don't care what anyone says, that challenger is the definition of *Fabulous!*

[@OwlEye2010]

Based on the paint scheme on the #3949 alone, I'm with you. I mean, hot damn, that's a cool paint scheme!

[@Greatdome99]

@@OwlEye2010 Velveeta unchained!

[@RailserveJohn]

What a gorgeous model! Looking forward to the next review.

[@andredizon5805]

I had been waiting for this for a long long time. It's finally here❤

[@zachwheeler9846]

Very cool engine, very different. Loved the bloopers at the end.

[@bubbaskywalker3129]

Such a cool looking locomotive!

[@MrLunchHour2]

This is why I sponsor your channel. Beautiful engine Eric. Keep up the great videos

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@pancudowny]

Chrysler Corporation saw that same concern over oil reserves, but as how much was needed to produce higher-octane gasoline was concerned. Taking lessons from retrofitting improvements to B-29 engines during the war, it was learned that the cross-flow hemispherical combustion chamber design allowed the highest amount power to be produced--from a static displacement--from gasoline available with the least amount of octane.

[@MechInfantry2AD]

Never been a fan of the Chessie trains but this one really blew me away. Definitely will try and pick this one up. Great video and brief history on this machine. Its a shame they got scraped.

[@zooungafisherman7568]

Beautiful engine. Love the bloopers at the end!

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks!

[@allegheny48]

Thanks for an excellent video and review of a very unique locomotive. Pretty sure this turbine qualified as one of the longest locomotives ever built. The three engines and the 46 custom built Budd passenger cars for the proposed train, the Chessie, were the brainchild of Robert R. Young and its failure cost the C&O millions. If you have a copy of Al Staufer's C&O Power there are some excellent pictures of her being built. I especially liked the steam whistle MTH chose to equip her with. The passenger cars look great with the locomotive though a half a dozen more would look even better behind an engine as big as the turbine. Thanks again and looking forward to the next review.

[@RedWolf777SG]

For a steam turbine engine. It has a rather unique look to it. Not to mention it kinda like something from the Fallout game series. Because once again it's looks.

[@TheDomeHepot010]

I just like how it looks like a diesel locomotive until you hear the whistle

[@TobyPasman]

Nice review. I’m trying to convince my dad to bring me to your layout open house in October. Since I started my KZbin channel back in 2011, I always wanted to get a chance to meet you because you’re my main inspiration for starting my own channel.

[@Ericstrains]

Right on!

[@bhomas_real]

The locomotive looks like the gg1 went steam operated style.

[@austinbrown2320]

great video, I think its time for another full layout tour including behind the scenes :)

[@dansweet6793]

This would have been a perfect engine to put in a museum.

[@johnchase7667]

That is an amazing looking train.

[@Rocketman1583]

Great review Eric! Indeed I thought it was a diesel at first.... thanks keep it up!!👍👍

[@waynehoward781]

Great video of a unique engine. MTH and Lionel make some really cool models. Wayne

[@TheGreatRailroadProductions]

I am really enjoy that locomotive. Very nice video Eric.

[@johnruppert5630]

Enjoy your reviews👍Wish I had the space to run some of these larger locomotives 0-72! I’m sadly limited to O-48 and that’s on only one run😢my other two main lines are at O-36!

[@mitchcornacchia968]

Great review Great engine

[@Chessie1985]

Very nice review Eric!!!

[@stevenfd123]

It does look awesome!

[@mjc6184]

Very classy looking model!

[@AtomicVisionary]

I love the design of this locomotive.

[@ThatKidIs1Of1]

this thing looks sick man.

[@rkpr9370]

Great video. I wish this was in Train Simulator

[@thomasgriffin5340]

A steamship on rails. Check out that overhang. Really cool.

[@Ecarroll7575]

What a nice review!

[@musicisfree91]

Fun fact: The throttle of this locomotive had eleven settings, beating Spinal Tap to the punch by 37 years.

[@rennethjarrett4580]

I have to agree more pick-up rollers for the center rail is helpful. On the older AC motor ones it can make the rollers last longer if you tied the dummy diesel with the powered diesel center rail wires and you had better electrical connections as well.

[@SkiVail]

Loved the end credits roll lol

[@davetarr7257]

Gun tubes store over back deck when transporting any variant of the M1 Abrams tanks. Noticed in background the tanks.

[@northernoasis671]

That is insane how big it is

[@trainlover9943]

Nice! Think you could do a video on installing the rollers on the tender?

[@JonatanGronoset]

Whenever I look at this thing Im drawn to the part with the cab and front hood, that part looks like a real sci-fi steam locomotive on its own.

[@lukegameboy6530]

My dad and I only have a small loop of track O-scale and we only put it up during Christmas around our tree

[@harrietsims8881]

That’s a beautiful train❤.

[@kennyt1674]

Awesome video

[@Greatdome99]

Actually it was a lot more complicated than a steam engine owing to the fact that it had a boiler and firebox plus a gas turbine engine plus generators and electrical traction motors. During testing this beast NEVER made it all the way from Wash DC to Cincy without some sort of breakdown. Along with the Chessie trainsets, C&O built a special coaling tower at Hinton, WV to speed things up, and a new Art-Deco station at Prince, WV which serves Amtrak's Cardinal today.

[@thomaswissmann9073]

The front of the locomotive reminds me of the #490 Yellow Belly Hudson. It has that forward looking forehead.

[@trainfan-ks5hk]

I have been waiting for someone to review this for a long time and i hope Eric that you also get your hands on the Norfolk & Western turbine along with the Union Pacific

[@pokemonpreadythepokemonmaniac]

By the N&W turbine, I think you mean the Jawn Henry.

[@trainfan-ks5hk]

@@pokemonpreadythepokemonmaniac yes

[@gravelydon7072]

@@pokemonpreadythepokemonmaniac The N&W Jawn Henry took looking like a Diesel to the next step. Whereas the Chessie road on custom underframes, the Jawn Henry road on your typical 6 wheel equalized trucks like were found under the GE E44s electrics on the PRR and Diesels from F-M like the Train Master.

[@scrubstrainsmechascrub4028]

I kept forgetting it was a steam locomotive because it looks like a diesel or electric... It even sounds like one, except for when you blow the whistle, of course...

[@JHChannel35]

I bought this loco and cars after watching this video….a real showstopper at my local club😊

[@Frob25]

Looks like 0-72 is hardly enough of a curve for that monster!

[@problem3412]

*the S1 is shaking*

[@richardczepiel2738]

O-72 is "minimum". You are correct. Mine has a difficulty making it around O-72. It is an interesting conversation piece on the shelf.

[@trainfan-ks5hk]

Richard Czepiel Better get the next curve up to make sure it doesn’t get damaged

[@switchpointproductions7927]

I had no idea MTH was making any of these!!

[@kc9ctc]

Awesome 👏

[@josephpruett5661]

I have a 2-10-0 Russian decapod lettered for the Santa Fe dealer appreciation model and its just the opposite there are no pickup rollers on the engine yet the tender has them so needless to say going across my Atlas turnouts it stalls the Ross that are prewired there are no problem as always good video and review.

[@chainsawcharl1e677]

"Lube up those siderods..."? Oops. Time for MTH to upgrade the crew talk on this one.

[@shauns7466]

The bloopers hilarious 😆

[@TallboyDave]

It's an interesting fact that there was in fact only one steam turbine locomotive that was ever successful; the "Turbomotive" of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in the UK, which was based on the "Princess Royal" class of 4-6-2 express passenger engines designed by Sir William Stanier; the main reason being that the turbine system it used was of a much more simple (and thus, more rugged) design, coupled to the boiler and frames of a proven and reliable design.

[@kiwitrainguy]

That LMS loco was direct Turbine to wheels drive (via gears). The PRR had a turbine loco of the same configuration but it was inefficient at speeds below about 40 mph. What impressed me about it was that steam entered the turbine at 300 psi and left it at 15 psi. Broadway Limited Imports have done a model in HO of the PRR one. The loco reviewed here was Steam Turbine to generators to electric traction motors to wheels - probably far too much loss of power using such a convoluted system.

[@jackhollandcsxnsandawvrfan3800]

Yes!

[@nostalgiakarlk.f.7386]

Oh wow, your intro has changed since I last watched one of your videos.

[@Maximilian7992]

NostalgiaKarl K.F. Ikr

[@JAMESMANHUNT9]

My challenger tender is 21 inches long and takes a 1 foot 30 degree curve perfectly

[@TheGrayRatArmy]

Try Review O scale of Milwaukee Road Hiawatha F7 Hudson The Streamlined Steam Locomotive

[@Rocketman1583]

As random as it is, opening doors is one of my favorite features of o

[@dadafan5921]

This is what happens when engineers are given free rein. The design is elegant on paper, but I'll bet none of the designers had ever been in a small steam plant (think Navy destroyer escorts or very small ships). Another example would be the early nuclear submarine powerplants, minus the nuclear reactor, of course. "Fewer moving parts?", I don't think so. Oil pumps and filters, condensate and feedwater systems, massive air-cooled condensers, and that's the shortlist. (Before someone says it, yes, they may have just dumped the turbine exhaust but I think 8,000 HP is going to use an awful lot of water if it's not recycled. (I can calculate it but it's a bunch of water per mile that will be expensive to haul around. In the video, check out that plume... yep, steam.) The complexity requires many operator/technicians and that's not cheap. Without comprehensive maintenance and constant attention its a FORD (Found on Rail Dead).

[@2railnation]

I wanted to get this. But there were too many others coming out I would rather have. Looks cool though.

[@vettetrooper3116]

I always get good laugh from the mistakes that you show at the end of your videos.

[@andrewwillard5625]

Crazy how it’s called the M1 and has the similar name and color to the N1 Naboo Starfighter same yellow and silver color to wild.

[@marcoantonionatali5010]

Beatiful engine, l prefer locomotives but l'never seen such detailed diesel. In my opinion Mth is my favorite brand very cool 👍

[@sammurabi4743]

It's a steam locomotive, despite the unconventional shape. Instead of pistons, the steam produced spun a single turbine which in turn ran four DC generators that powered a series of traction motors. It's basically a coal-fired power plant on rails.

[@redranger3742]

i wish the c&o m-1 steam turbine preserved and can you imagine one had survived

[@pancudowny]

Funny you should mention the concern over crude-oil supplies in the late-40s... because of the amount used to produce high-octane gasoline at the time, it was the same reason that prompted Chrysler to develop the 1st-gen Hemi. Why? Because it was seen as the most efficient design (able to produce the most power from the least amount of available octane) at the time, due to lessons learned from their involvement in retrofitting improvements to B-29 bomber engines during the war.

[@DjsOgaugeTrains]

Nice video, I’m really looking forward to the controversial PA’s and vision challengers. 🤪

[@prestonsvideos6133]

Nice locomotive.

[@deweyhall712]

This engine would be so cool in G scale.

[@ViktorChovanecz]

Hi Eric That Railion Br 185 at 18:37 at looks very good. There is a video of it or it will be

[@mrcubeandsphere9138]

This beast would look amazing in front of a train of military tank in a camo paint scheme.

[@MrBnsftrain]

15:10 there are no side rods! I expected this thing to have an air horn as well, like a Southern Pacifc steam loco

[@Greatdome99]

I noticed that too. SP's air horns were used only on their GS Daylight locos to make them sound "more modern."

[@attackeagle]

Greatdome99 they were used because of fog.

[@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266]

Never heard of this one, great video

[@northernoasis671]

This engine reminds me of the Baldwin centipede

[@spartan7042]

Love mth engines

[@maxnash8450]

Do a review on your George Washington pacific

[@vidfreak727]

The blind spots on these must have been HUGE

[@pearsooo6972]

Nice

[@jakebello7988]

This engine was nicknamed "Sacred Cow!"

[@gingerdrizz]

I had no idea these things had steam whistles

[@evantgse]

Fund fact co made a version of the m1 turbine but it was a steam loco as in it had the shape of the m1 turbine but was a steam loco