MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS

July 23, 2004 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be including a new patented feature on select 2004 Premier Line steam locomotives that will make it easier than ever to incorporate the most realistic models on a hi-rail model railroad.

3-rail locomotives equipped with the all-new Proto-Scale 32 feature can be operated on 3 or 2-rail track under AC or DC power. A small switch will redirect track power from the center rail pickups to the locomotives left side drive wheels. Ground will move from all locomotive wheels on 3-rail operation to the left side locomotive wheels on 2-rail track. The center rail pickup rollers will be easily removed from the bottom of the locomotive chassis without requiring disassembly of the engine. Total conversion takes less than two minutes and can be accomplished with a screwdriver.

2-rail locomotives equipped with Proto-Scale can operate on AC or DC track power and can also be configured with center rail pickup rollers for use on 3-rail track. Both 2 and 3-rail locomotives equipped with Proto-Scale 32 will feature all the Proto-Sound 2.0 digital features that have been standard equipment on M.T.H. locomotives since 2000. As a result of this new innovation, for the first time, all O Scale operators now have in their locomotives the best features and performance available in todays model railroading marketplace.

Because Proto-Sound 2.0 and Proto-Scale 32 are included on select M.T.H. 2-rail Premier Line locomotives, operators desiring to operate locomotives that are more prototypical in appearance on their 3-rail railroad can choose the 2-rail version for its scale flanged wheels without giving up all the features that have made M.T.H.'s 3-rail locomotives an industry favorite. Each 2-rail Premier Line locomotive equipped with Proto-Scale 32 will be packaged with a set of center rail pickup rollers so that the engine can be quickly converted for 3-rail use.

All 2004 Premier Line steam engine models featured in the 2004 Volume 2 catalog will be released with the Proto-Scale 32 feature. The first of these models to hit retailer shelves is the Santa Fe 4-6-4 Hudson. More specifics on the expected shipping dates o the other steam engine models featuring Proto-Scale 32 can be found on the M.T.H. website.