MTH Premier Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 model comparison in 4K

This video features an unboxing of a 2004 MTH Premier N&W Class J #611. I also compare this model to the 1997 #611 as well as a 2004 Unshrouded J. The 1997 PS1 model has been upgraded to PS2. The #605 has been upgraded to PS3. The 611 is one of my favorite steam engines. The 2004 models were made in Korea and are significantly more detailed that pre 2000 models.
Models in this video:
20-3024-1 N&W Class J #611 PS1
20-3058-1 N&W Class J Unshrouded #605 PS2 (upgraded to PS3)
20-3132-1 N&W Class J #611 PS2

[@TheTrainboard]

Congrats Ken! The J is such a beautiful locomotive. We too have the PS1 version that was upgraded to PS2. We hope to get the updated tooling one day for the additional details. MTH drastically improved from PS1 to PS2. - Ryan

[@MV-xp6zo]

Awesome locomotives!!!! You produce very informative videos.. Great Job!! Thank You!!!😎😎🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@99thObsidian]

Hey thanks! I try to make content that would have helped me decide what model to collect. Its hard to tell the differences from eBay pictures. I'm really happy with my newer J's. Glad you found the video useful.

[@ELWtrains]

Great looking Train’s great video and info 👍

[@asdfdsa45]

Beautiful model! I have a Lionel TMCC model awaiting a Legacy upgrade. I have quite a few memories of being with my father back in the 1980's and one particular Saturday morning around 6AM when the #611 was being pulled backwards from Roanoke to the Southern shops in Birmingham for restoration back to service. I remember being surprised that the eccentric cranks were laid out on a flatcar as this locomotive (pulled by a diesel of course) was moving quite fast through Jonesborough, Tennessee.

[@99thObsidian]

The first time I saw 611 was at the museum in Roanoke. I happen to be in town for a conference and had some free time. I was blown away by the sheer size of the engine. When we built our first layout my son requested a Railking model. It was our first MTH DCS equipped engine. I later bought our first Premier model of the 611. That was also my first PS1 to PS2 upgrade conversion. Seeing the 611 in person in Manassas VA was probably my fondest experience. Looking up from my camera to see those HUGE drivers roll by was a true thrill.

[@rodneymckelroy4737]

Very nice - such detail in those premier models.

[@99thObsidian]

Rodney, thanks for the positive comment. I think its great that the detail of O-gauge has improved over time. Helps offset the increase in prices to a degree. Having seen the 611 in person I appreciate the visual and auditory details MTH has added to this engine over time.

[@ARMYVETT]

THOSE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL ENGINES BRUTHA KEN. I HAVE ONLY LIONEL BUT I'M ALSO LOOKING INTO GETTING SOME MTH TRAINS ALSO. THAT ARMY CHALLENGER IS A STUNNER.

[@99thObsidian]

Hey man, great to hear from you. (we all know each other, right :-) Thanks, the J's are some of my favorites. I have a WM Challenger I featured in my last vid. I actually like Challengers more than Big Boys because their drivers are larger. Thanks for the shout out. Post link to Army Challenger in your reply.

[@swiv99]

very nice ken and a nice crawl speed. Some nice details and the coal load looks real, love the boiler light too. just bought a rivarossi 4-6-0 casey jones, ho scale of course, but i love all gauges....good review bud

[@99thObsidian]

Thanks 👍

[@craiggreathouse5688]

Good comparison. Nice video as usual..

[@99thObsidian]

Glad you liked it

[@SleeperBBQ]

So jealous 611 queen of steam is without a doubt is my favorite nice video. I guess I'll be seeing what you show next. TY

[@99thObsidian]

Thanks and welcome aboard! Yes, she is the Queen. My nused 2004 version is a significant upgrade over the 1997 version I had. I've done vids on WM, N&W. What would you like to see next? I've got alot of C&O, some B&O, and various modern diesels.

[@mytrainhobby5318]

What a great addition. I'm sure they all will bring you hours of fun. Great seeing multiple units running too.

[@99thObsidian]

And FUN is exactly what this hobby is. My outer loop is large enough to run two good sized trains. The inner loop is made up of two reverse loops joined at the middle. So its best I only run 1 train there. That makes 3 trains at a time which provides lots to watch. Stay tuned for a layout expansion this summer... Thanks for the positive comment.

[@mytrainhobby5318]

@@99thObsidian Will you be doing any video working with that pink foam? I'm planning a future layout and am considering using some type of foam on/as a base.

[@99thObsidian]

@@mytrainhobby5318 I did a layout update video where I specifically discuss my method for working with the pink foam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGbRaaJun9J-ja8si=w1qbj8Gs_XC8lfrx&t=112 I plan to use the foam as the foundation and vertical support for my mountain scenery. I learned from one of my customers Bobby Cox, to build the mountains OFF the layout, scenic then place onto the layout. This allows for easier access and less track mess. Will do a mountain building video.

[@mytrainhobby5318]

@sidian Oops, my bad. I did see, and comment on it. Guess I forgot, or I'm in planning overload. I'll watch it again, thanks for the link.

[@naxshack]

Awesome comparison Ken! Beautiful J’s! That aux tender looks fantastic too! ❤️🚂😎 -Brian

[@99thObsidian]

Thanks 👍

[@ericoxner326]

Hey classic steamer.I rode behind her. I will never forget her deep whistle.I have the railking 611.

[@99thObsidian]

Lucky you, I'm planning on taking a ride behind the WM #1309 this summer. Will be getting the Lionel Legacy model of it too. A ride behind the #611 is on my bucket list. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@joeystrains.9316]

My favorite steam engine! VERY nice!

[@99thObsidian]

Agreed, I like the 611 since I've seen her run in person. I really like the detail of the unshrouded J as well. Thanks for watching.

[@Porschedude8]

Well done! 👍👍

[@99thObsidian]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

Magnificent catches of the model trains coming by and pass, I like it 5 stars. Thumbs up. Keep up the perfect work, my friend, i subbed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.

[@99thObsidian]

Lisbon, Portugal & Spain are on my travel list. Will check out your channel. Glad you like my videos, I try to shoot scenes realistically. I've got a lot of scenery to do on layout, stay tuned.

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

@@99thObsidian i will.

[@huntercoleman460]

It’s beautiful Ken.

[@99thObsidian]

If there was ever a steam engine that you could describe as "Beautiful" the 611 is it. Wonder if they'll ever make one thats shiny like the Spirit of Roanoke. Similar to the recently released Lionel #1218 excursion version.

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

You wonder what the tooling costs are on these models and they are or were able to mass produce these in numbers and come way below what lionel charges.imagine they had a class j then produce the un shroud version, which I think the un shroud version would be more difficult a model to build.

[@99thObsidian]

I'd say the #611 has one of the most toolings steam engines. Consider that its been made by MTH in O27, Railking, and Premier versions. Lionel sub and scale versions. Williams made one as well. I'm sure I've missed a manufacturer. I noted in video how different the 2004 #611 and Unshrouded were in similar details. I had to open the Unshrouded to replace the PS3 board and the boiler shell mounts totally different than #611. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@Cbtrainnut]

I asked Scale trains about doing a new S Scale engine and the reply I got was If I had $100,000 they would do it. So I’m guessing it isn’t cheap!

[@tomvoncharon6359]

My dad had one of these model train engines when I was a kid. I'm 64 now. How long have they been making this engine?! Just curious

[@99thObsidian]

Tom, I think the PS1 611 model in this video was one of if not the first scale O scale Class J MTH produced. It was offered in 1997 catalog. The newest 2022 model has whistle smoke, PS3, and wireless drawbar but most other details the same as my 2004 model. Thanks for watching. Check out RPP's video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIqsl4V9hsaglZosi=BJapajtboLuZkzq2

[@YeOldeGeezer]

need you to speak up sir. had to raise my volume in order to hear you

[@99thObsidian]

YeOlde, thank you for the audio feedback. I normally check my volume when I edit videos on my Mac. This time was all on my iphone. Will improve voice mix next video.

[@TheTrainboard]

Congrats Ken! The J is such a beautiful locomotive. We too have the PS1 version that was upgraded to PS2. We hope to get the updated tooling one day for the additional details. MTH drastically improved from PS1 to PS2. - Ryan

[@99thObsidian]

When I saw my friends 2004 version I realized how much detail was added. I considered holding out for a 2015 or sooner PS3 version but I couldnt find one for less than $1k. I got this 2004 for about half of current retail from Trainz. Its PS2 but has a great sound set. I dont mind the pig tail tether since its more reliable than wireless drawbar. Thanks for the positive comment.