MTH Electric Trains continues its presence in the model railroad world, focusing on O, Standard, and One Gauge products. The O gauge lineup has mainly been previously-offered locomotives and rolling stock from the tooling that’s in a shared agreement with Atlas or wasn’t sold to Lionel. Among their offerings, the Norfolk & Western J-class 4-8-4 from the Premier O scale line has made a comeback for the first time since 2020. Announced in July 2024 and arriving in May 2025, this latest release features the Digital Command System and Proto-Sound 3.0.
A fine passenger locomotive
From 1941 to 1950, the Norfolk & Western Railway designed and built 14 Class Js at its East End Shops in Roanoke, Va. In a brilliant blend of speed, power and appeal, these locomotives became popular to the public, railroaders, and rail enthusiasts as they led the N&W’s premier passenger trains through mountainous terrain. No. 611, built in May 1950, is the only surviving J-class locomotive and currently resides at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke when not operating. Its recent 75th anniversary makes MTH’s release particularly timely.
Out of the box
MTH offered five variations of the Class J, including two versions of No. 611: the “Spirit of Roanoke” (20-3947) and an in-service version (20-3948). There are also custom runs including a Chessie Steam Special livery from Patrick’s Trains (20-3953). This review focuses on the in-service No. 611 and it’s a sight to behold when pulled out of the box.
Coupled together, the 27 ¾” engine and tender certainly matches the prototypes’ sleekness with a look that is full of spunk and strength. As the norm with MTH, the colors and lettering are sharp without a trace of runoff.
The stripping’s Tuscan red of N&W fame is certainly an eye catcher as the color can be all over the place in terms of being too bright or too dark on modeled locomotives and rolling stock. The Tuscan red on this Class J looks to be on point. Some would argue that it leans toward the dark side, though I think it matches with the flat matte black and gold stripes/lettering to represent No. 611 in regular service.
As a streamlined locomotive with unexposed parts beneath the cowling, the model still features detailed elements such as separately applied grab irons, a realistic coal load, cab curtains and chainlinks on the tender trucks, the last two being renowned extra touch-ups by MTH. The running gear, notably the Timken, rollerbearing tandem side rods, is a highlight, especially when seeing them in motion as the model is on the track and at speed.
On the track
There was a snag when operating this particular model for the first time. The quartering on the third set of drivers was off, resulting in a binding when attempting to move. This was immediately diagnosed and corrected, thanks to our good friends at Sommerfeld’s Trains & Hobbies. A search through multiple forums and social media postings showed no mentions of similar teething issues from the other recently-released Js. Further discussion with store owner Jack Sommerfeld has me believing that this was a fluke.
With the quartering corrected, it’s a night-and-day difference in performance. The model is a smooth runner. Even at 1 smph with the DCS, the normal stuttering and speed fluctuation one would find is minor and mostly unnoticeable to the naked eye.
The Proto-Sound 3.0 system from the speakers sounds great with certain features coming straight from No. 611 including the bell and whistle. However, I do wish that MTH updated the latter’s sound files, as the 1:1 counterpart now carries an authentic Hancock Long Bell Three Chime from one of her sisters. Mechanically, the sounds from the motor, gearbox, running gear and smoke unit are as quiet as a churchmouse, especially after proper lubrication.
MTH’s smoke units have always been heavy-duty, and it shows with the substantial amount of smoke from both the main stack and steaming whistle, even after a half-hour or priming the units and fill reservoirs. Please note that the stack and whistle come with their own smoke units, with the steam whistle feature only accessible from the DCS remote and the Standard ($4.99) version of the downloadable app. Unlike recent models by MTH, the steam effect for the whistle also won’t come out of the whistle itself, but from a hole in the body just below the detailed part. A disappointment to some, but understandable considering the position of the whistle within the top of the cowl.
Of course, with a model this big and having a rigid wheelbase — just like the prototype — it won’t go everywhere. MTH’s website states the minimum curve is O-54, though the locomotive was able to slowly take the O-48 radius on the Classic Toy Trains’ City Terminal & Transfer layout. Personally, O-54 is still a preferred minimum for operation with anything wider highly recommended for those who wish to see the model turned loose. Operating on turnouts can vary as well based on whether you have a dead section of track.
In regards to turning the model loose, the actual smph vs. the commands from the DCS matches up for the most part. It can get inaccurate when the speed is picked up as 80 smph on the remote will register as low as 75 for the actual running. The strength test from the drawbar was at 4 pounds. So whether you’re clipping along with a seven-car Powhatan Arrow passenger train or slogging out a dozen-plus car excursion like the real No. 611 does, the 1:48 scale should do the same.
Final thoughts
The MTH Premier N&W J-class is a highly desirable model — most-notably No. 611 — especially given its limited availability. Despite a minor initial issue, the overall quality and performance are impressive. This is a must-have for O-scale modelers, particularly those interested in the Norfolk & Western Railway, the Js, or No. 611.
Features:
- ProtoSound 3.0 including passenger station sound proto-effects and recorded sound effects from No. 611
- Synchronized puffing smoke
- Steaming quillable whistle (Accessible only through MTH DCS system)
- Real coal load
- Operating headlight, marker, numberboard, cab interior, and tender back-up lights
- Flickering firebox glow
- Wireless drawbar
MSRP: $1599.95
Website: mthtrains.com
Watch the unboxing video with Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson and CTT Editor Rene Schweitzer.
