I bought two EM-1s & two sound modules.
Both have intermittent sound.
I have swapped the sound modules between each loco, with the same problems on both.
Mostly the sound doesn't play, & occasionally; out of the blue, it will start to play for 10 seconds or so,
while the loco is running.
Sound Value on the 2-6-0 is OK, but the limited sound & functions of this system is too basic on the EM-1.
I think I'll just get a fully functional Tsunami x2.
Cheers.
Mark

Luckily for me Tom, all my MMI locos run fine.

I am surprised Bachmann have not built  any of the K's or C's.
I'm sure they'd be big sellers.
I'd like a C-25 & was disappointed when MMI cancelled their project.

Cheers.
Mark

Quote from: Tomcat on November 17, 2012, 12:03:54 PM

BUT: MMI did not make the 455 after wreck and only by Southwest Narrow Gauge´s efforts they will eventually make one. I would go and sell all my MMI mudhens if Bachmann would make one. I´d go for a 453, 456, 463 and the 455 RGS past wreck, though... 

Cheers, Tom

G'day Tom,
Southwest Narrow Gauge does have k-27 455 ATW [& BTW] in stock.
From a previous post - below:

""Recently, Bruce at Southwest Narrow Gauge sent me this.
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:48:50 -0700
At this writing I have a MMI Mix of on3/on30 locomotives
49 C-19s
210 K27s
150 K28s
9 K36s (on30 only)
236 K37s
#455 K27 ATW in stock. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Plus, 175 brass on3 only, locomotives.
Bruce""

Cheers.
Mark

I read years ago, the minimum mainline radius equates to a 10' radius in OO scale.
So to model something accurately, you would need a lot of space.

Tim Warris modelled his HO scale layout on the CNJ Bronx Terminal & it is to scale.
It's absolutely brilliant & I could write reams on every tiny detail, but it's still only a freight yard.

Sadly for MMI, they produce what's ordered. From experience, getting someone to take an MMI order is impossible. So no orders - no locos.

Manufacturers in HO do this as well, & all it does is reduce the run size, increasing the price. If I have to pay more, I want to see the loco first, & see how well it runs before parting up with my hard earned cash.

So there's the ol' Catch 22.

Bachmann has not fallen into this bad business trend yet, relying on economies of scale bulk sales.
I would expect a reasonably priced well running, detailed loco capable of 22" curves, like all their offerings.

P.S. All my MMI k-27, 28, 36 & 37's negotiate 22" curves.

Why is a pack of four 9" straights, cheaper than one 36" straight?

Quote from: Skarloey Railway on November 08, 2012, 01:42:04 PM

Why take a K27 and shrink it by 80% when you can take a smaller mike and make it accurate?

I agree, why scale down anything, ON30 is O scale; 1:48. So make a 1:48 ON30 k-27 & a smaller mikado as well.

The beauty of the ON30 compromise is it can use O scale locos from 24", 30" & 36" gauge prototypes.
The puritans will not like it; and I respect the strength of their convictions, but I like variety.

Cheers
Mark

Quote from: ebtbob on November 08, 2012, 08:01:12 AM
Mark,
the difference between the two is a 1/16 of an inch on either side of frame.

G'day Bob,

Are you saying the MMI ON3 K-27 is actually different from the ON30? or the difference would only be 1/16" [x2] if it was scaled down to ON30?  I only have ON30 & have never seen the ON3 version in the flesh.
I'd love to do ON3, but they're just to expensive [limited runs / brass etc]

Cheers.
Mark

Quote from: Joe Satnik on November 07, 2012, 12:45:55 PM
Dear All,

Most of you probably know this, so apologies.

You just can't click a button to do an easy re-scale when the drawing's prototype gauge (36") is different than the track's prototype gauge ( 30").

You would have to re-draw to either a different scale (1:55 instead of O = 1:48) to remain correctly proportioned, or wreck the proportion (length or height vs width) by narrowing the engine width and wheel gauge to 30".

It's all a compromise...

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Luckily MMI simply put a set of 30" gauge wheels under their On3 [36" gauge] loco to solve the problem. Like you said, it's a compromise. The puritans scoff at this practice, but if the manufacturers are to survive, they have to please everyone. otherwise they'll be no locos for anyone.

Quote from: NarrowMinded on November 05, 2012, 10:01:00 PM
MMI has a on30 k-27...

where can i go buy one right now?

NM-Jeff

Sadly the Hobby Supastore no longer sells MMI locos. They had brilliant prices.
I bought a K27, K28, K36 & two C-19s. They shipped all three K's to Australia for $68 all up !!! They must have friends @ USPS, 'cause it costs $65 each loco, from anyone else.

Recently, Bruce at Southwest Narrow Gauge sent me this.
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:48:50 -0700
At this writing I have a MMI Mix of on3/on30 locomotives
49 C-19s
210 K27s
150 K28s
9 K36s (on30 only)
236 K37s
#455 K27 ATW in stock
Plus, 175 brass on3 only, locomotives.

His website is inaccurate, so verify exactly what you want with Bruce.
I bought a K-37 & K-28 from him last week.
Bad luck Bachmann, that's seven locos I couldn't buy from you.

The only thing stopping MMI locos selling like hotcakes is the hefty price tag from their limited production runs. Although when you have one in your hands you tend to forgive them this as well.

If Bachmann produced them on mass they could do it for much less. ON30 seems to be getting very popular, & producing something as iconic as a k-27; & other K's, or the venerable C's should sell up a storm.

Something I've never understood - A Brass loco with a diecast chassis is generally half the price of a Brass loco with a Brass chassis. Why is a brass chassis so expensive?

[/quote]

Right after the old-time Baldwin 4-4-0 and 2-6-0. There is a queue you know!
[/quote]

Point taken.
I'm sure our friends at Bachmann will surprise us all & push them all out real soon.......real soon.

Since Bachmann has the CAD for their k-27 & C-19 for large scale, how long will it be before they scale down to ON30?

I noticed a small problem with five of six of my Alco 2-6-0s.

The Side Rods & connecting Rods are mounted the the main driver incorrectly on at least one side of each loco. The washers & spacers separating the rods have been assembled in the incorrect order or are missing. I have corrected them, with the exception of the one missing the spacer, which I will manufacture.

It might be an idea for Bachmann to check their assembly line, as someone doesn't know what their doing or doesn't care.

Brilliant loco though, at a great price.

Quote from: ebtbob on March 30, 2012, 09:25:10 AM
Royce,
...One of the biggest drawbacks,  as stated,  would be the size.   Now,  with that fact in mind,  that did not stop MMI from offering a variety of Colorado 2-8-2s in both On3 and On30.   I have two of them by the way and are GREAT engines. 

I am now the proud owner of an MMI K-27 2-8-2.
Bachmann, if you're reading this, you should make this loco. If it isn't in the pipeline already, get a bigger pipe.
The size & weight of this behemoth as it lumbers magnificently down the track, accentuating every bit of uneven track - just like the real thing. 

Thanks for the info. It's time to give the credit card a sound thrashing at Southwest.
I don't know why some of the larger retailers don't sell them, like Trainworld & ModelTrainStuff. When I approached Trainworld they didn't even know PSC & MMI existed.
Thanks again.
Cheers.
Mark

Quote from: kcsivils1 on March 25, 2012, 07:25:41 PM
Try Southwest Narrow Gauge. They are a MMI Dealer and have some of the die-cast K-class locomotives in stock I believe.

Here is the link:

http://i-sng.com/