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…