M.T.H. Spotlights New 263E O Gauge Locomotives

M.T.H. spotlights special new products each month, and this time around they took a look at their various tinplate O Gauge 263E locomotives. These are some beautiful trains, and they're well worth a closer look. 

It's always exciting when classics are brought back to life, and that's exactly what M.T.H. has done with this lineup of 263E locomotives. Not only have they brought them back to life, but they've improved them in every way imaginable, creating a modern day triumph full of nostalgia. Read all the details on the lineup below, and be sure to check out the included photos. 

263E O Gauge Steam Locomotive

During model railroading’s early history, standard gauge tinplate locomotives ruled the day. Immensely appealing for all their color and flash, these giant locomotives consumed vast amounts of real estate in their owner’s homes. The call went out to pre-war model railroad manufacturers for smaller model trains. Soon thereafter, O Gauge model railroading was born.

First appearing in 1936, the tinplate 263E steam locomotive replaced the O Gauge 260 engine and was decorated in two colors; blue or gray. The blue versions headed up the tinplate O Gauge Blue Comet passenger cars while the gray version originally headed two versions of 800 series freight sets.

New for 2013, M.T.H. returns this first-ever replica of one of tinplate's most legendary locomotives, offered with three motors in as-built green livery or plated as the model exists today. While the original Brute never turned a wheel on an actual layout, we've engineered our model to run on Standard Gauge track so you can experience what Joshua Lionel Cowen dreamed of: the Brute heading up a string of tinplate varnish as it was intended to do.

Today, the 263E returns to the Lionel Corporation Tinplate lineup but just beneath the graceful lines of the tinplate boiler, lies the excitement of Proto-Sound 3.0 whose revolutionary electronics control a smooth-running chassis capable of running at just a few scale miles per hour. Cracking open the throttle and bringing the locomotive forward releases the first blasts of smoke from the engine’s stack enhanced with the realistic sounds of chuffing. As the engine picks up speed one notices that each huge puff of smoke is timed to the driver’s revolutions. The wail of the whistle and the clang of the bell further stimulate the senses until the realization that the flash and color of yesteryear is but a faded memory when compared to a Proto-Sound 3.0 equipped Lionel Corporation Tinplate locomotive.

FEATURES
- Stamped Steel Boiler
- Baked Enamel Finish
- Metal Wheels and Axles
- Operating Metal Latch Couplers
- Constant Voltage Headlight
- Precision Flywheel Equipped Motor
- Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
- Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System
- Die-Cast Tender Body
- Die-Cast Metal Chassis
- Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Passenger Station Proto-Effects
- Unit Measures: 20 3/4” x 3 3/8” x 4 1/8”
- Operates On O-31 Curves

AVAILABLE IN

• Item No. 11-6052-0 Black w/Nickel 263E Tinplate Loco & Tender (Traditional)
• Item No. 11-6052-1 Black w/Nickel 263E Tinplate Loco & Tender w/Proto-Sound 3.0

• Item No. 11-6053-0 Chessie 263E Tinplate Loco & Tender (Traditional)
• Item No. 11-6053-1 Chessie 263E Tinplate Loco & Tender w/Proto-Sound 3.0

• Item No. 11-6054-0 Southern 263E Tinplate Loco & Tender (Traditional)
• Item No. 11-6054-1 Southern 263E Tinplate Loco & Tender w/Proto-Sound 3.0

It's super exciting to see M.T.H.'s Proto-Sound 3.0 system stuck into such an iconic and classic train body. The features and impeccable effect timing of this train are sure to please, while the nostalgia of its look and feel take you back to another time. The color and name options all look incredibly sharp, and there's little doubt this train will please no matter which option you select. 

Read all the details of this lineup here, and keep an eye out for these and other M.T.H. trains on the DASH Marketplace. I know I'd love to get one of these beautiful trains, and I suspect I'm not alone.