Under the guidance of founder Mike Wolf who became involved with the model railway industry at a tender 12 years of age, MTH has grown to become one of the United States major providers of model railways. He initially established Mike’s Train House in 1980 gaining extensive and valuable first-hand experience in all aspects of model railways. Very quickly, Mike’s Train House became known as M.T.H. Electric Trains ® (MTH) and over time the company has become a renowned model railway business based in Columbia, Maryland with dedicated manufacturing facilities in the Far East.

MTH’s business philosophy is focused on both the collector and model railway operator based on a mission to stay ‘a cut above the rest’ by providing real quality and value. MTH through a process of constant innovation over the past 25 years or so now provides five different quality product lines based on gauge, namely: RailKing ®, RailKing One Gauge, Premier, Tinplate Traditions ® and MTH's HO Line. MTH also has a joint venture business with Lionel and markets the Lionel Corporation Tinplate brand.

MTH has entered the British and European ready to run market with gusto and has developed a dedicated range of 1:43 O gauge steam engines and electric locomotives produced by a design team with their fingers on the pulse. Shamrock Trains is uniquely positioned as the only British and European retailer to bring you the best of MTH’s range of European locomotives that will certainly look the part whilst combining them with ACE Trains and Darstaed’s traditional British stock coupled with Darstaed’s wonderful new range of continental tinplate coaches. Go on and create a layout with panache and style running the most vibrant model trains that can be purchased. It’s certainly an exciting time for European gauge O ready to run customers. Due to the volatility of Sterling and Dollar exchange rates, prices detailed below for locomotives are indicative prices only. The actual prices may fluctuate slightly once final exchange rates are known.

The French Chapelon Pacific is a valuable addition to the range of European ready to run steam locomotives. These powerful engines pulled some of the continent’s most famous express train services including the French half of the Golden Arrow (Fleche D’Or), its companion service the London-Paris Night Ferry (Paris-Londres Ferry Boat de Nuit) and the Blue Train (Train Bleu). Occasionally, the Chapelon Pacific was used to haul the first leg of the Istanbul bound Orient Express out of Paris. The fare paying public loved these express train services for their superb style, cuisine, comfort and surroundings which made train journeys during the night and day such a joyful travelling experience.

Darstaed’s brilliant range of Marklin style gauge O tinplate continental coaches are the perfect accompaniment for the brute energy of the Chapelon Pacific locomotives. The first of these specialist ‘Train de Luxe’ coaches and post and baggage cars features the Night Ferry set which has never been produced in tinplate by any other manufacturer before – a real first for O gauge model railway enthusiasts. Other exclusive Train de Luxe French sets to be produced will include the Golden Arrow and the Blue Train. German sets feature the Rheingold and true CIWL pan-European expresses will include the Orient Express and the Edelweiss Express.

The Chapelon Pacific series became a byword for 20th Century French steam engine excellence, innovation and design. Chapelon Pacifics were highly regarded by railway company managers and train drivers alike for their combination of speed, power and economy. The splendid all metal die-cast MTH Chapelon Pacific is a superbly engineered and detailed locomotive that incorporates the following specifications:

• Two and three rail conversion
• Die-cast precision engineered all metal construction
• Deep flanged or scale wheels
• Sprung buffers
• Lighted cab interior, firebox glow and headlamps
• Optional British/European drop-link couplings on front and rear
• Satin finished paint scheme
• Driver and fireman figures included
• AC and DC compatible.

SNCF green Chapelon Pacific with Golden Arrow regalia

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3344-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3344-2 scale wheels order

SNCF black Chapelon Pacific with Golden Arrow regalia

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3343-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3343-2 scale Wheels order

NORD chocolate brown Chapelon Pacific

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3345-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3345-2 scale wheels order

SNCF gray Chapelon Pacific with Golden Arrow regalia

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3388-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3388-2 scale wheels order

Whilst the Class 241A could not match the higher profile of the slightly more powerful Chapelon Pacific, it nonetheless had many supporters and was an exemplary locomotive for fast passenger express duties that straddled the many routes across eastern France into Germany, Switzerland and beyond. The many pan-European luxury train services that emerged in the 1920s and 30s required different motive power for the various ‘legs’ of the journey. The Class 241A was ideal for this purpose. It could be seen heading the French portion of the Paris - Istanbul Orient Express and also the equally important ‘Edelweiss’, an express train Pullman type service or (Trains de luxe Pullman) on the heavily used axis route between the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Our MTH Class 241A looks perfect at the head of the Edelweiss that linked Amsterdam to Basel via Antwerp, Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. The Edelweiss was established by CIWL or more informally known as Wagon Lits as a direct competitor service to the German run Mitropa ‘Rheingold Express’ which had commenced in May 1928. The competitive spirit between high quality express train providers CIWL Wagon Lits and Mitropa lasted up until dark clouds blackened Europe in 1939. Some of these continental services were revived after World War II but they never quite regained the magic and mystery of the inter war years as the drabness of corporate colours gave way to the uniformity of European nationalised railways. The one exception was Britain where many new Pullman services were introduced by Southern Railway, LNER and later British Railways.

The MTH Class 241A is a high quality all metal die-cast that is superbly engineered covering the French Era II period. Five models ranging from 1931 to post war 1945 cover the time when steam powered locomotives were at their peak of efficiency. In a few short years the era of steam-hauled express train services in France would be a thing of the past as the electrification of SNCF rails took sway. The MTH Class 241A is an extremely detailed 4-8-2 heavy-weight locomotive that almost takes you into the province of fine-scale model engineering but never loses its real appeal. This superb locomotive really captures the spirit of inter-war European steam engines and incorporates the following specifications:

• Two and three rail conversion
• Die-cast precision engineered all metal construction
• Deep flanged or scale wheels
• Sprung buffers
• Lighted cab interior, firebox glow and headlamps
• Optional British/European drop-link couplings on front and rear
• Satin finished paint scheme
• Driver and fireman figures included
• AC and DC compatible.

SNCF gray Class 241A

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3402-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3402-2 scale wheels order

EST 1931 black Class 241A

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3406-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3406-2 scale wheels order

EST 1932 green/black Class 241A

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3405-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3405-2 scale wheels order

EST 1932 green/black Class 241A

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3405-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3405-2 scale wheels order

SNCF 1945 green/black Class 241A

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3405-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3405-2 scale wheels order

At the tail-end of the 19th Century Germany’s railway structure was a comparatively regionalised affair with no real focus. What had been created was a structure where the rail network, locomotive design and rolling stock were highly fragmented. All this changed with German unification; the many aspects of managing and developing a sophisticated national railway system centred on Berlin were soon to be realised.

One of the truly iconic European trains of the 20th Century was Germany’s ‘Rheingold Express’ with its highly distinctive cream and violet coloured livery. The Rheingold service commenced its journey at the Hook of Holland through Germany to Basle in Switzerland and on to Milan in Italy. Once the service had begun in May 1928 it became an instant success. The service was also linked by fast access from London to an overnight ferry crossing from Harwich to the Hook of Holland where the Rheingold was waiting alongside the quay in the morning.

Whilst LNER had withdrawn the old GER Pullman boat train services they were replaced however by the company’s own very own upscale restaurant and first class coaches such as the ‘Hook Continental’ service. From Liverpool Street Station, London the journey via the Rheingold to Milan was negotiated in sheer majestic style. The meticulous planning in devising the Rheingold Express itinerary allowed the service to survive during the depression years of the 1930s. This was due to a number of factors; timing and competitive pricing. The overnight stay on the ferry crossing the North Sea was less expensive than railway sleeping cars. Besides breakfast was waiting for passengers as they disembarked from the ferry on to the Rheingold!

The various legs of the Rheingold Express itinerary required different motive power and in Germany this was often provided by the S 3/6. Before and after World War Two, this older but powerful locomotive could be seen pulling the Rheingold along the route section adjacent to the River Rhein and on the Emmererich and Mannheim sections. The S 3/6 was also seen heading the Orient Express in all its glory. This superb locomotive comes in four versions that really capture the spirit of earlier European steam engine technology. Pull your Darstaed Rheingold Express in any of the S 3/6 green or black liveries. The locomotive comes with the following specifications:

• Two and three rail conversion
• Die-cast precision engineered all metal construction
• Deep flanged or scale wheels
• Sprung buffers
• Lighted cab interior, firebox glow and headlamps
• Optional British/European drop-link couplings on front and rear
• Satin finished paint scheme
• Driver and fireman figures included
• AC and DC compatible

KBayStsB Bavarian Class S 3/6 Express locomotive, blue and black wheels

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3398-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3398-2 scale wheels order

KBayStsB Bavarian Class S 3/6 Express locomotive, green with red wheels

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3399-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3399-2 scale wheels order

KBayStsB Bavarian Class S 3/6 Express locomotive, green with black wheels

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3399-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3399-2 scale wheels order

KBayStsB Bavarian Class S 3/6 Express locomotive, black with red wheels

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3401-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3402-2 scale wheels order

In Switzerland managers of the SBB had been carefully observing the expansion of Pullman services across Europe again. Luxury train services had been decimated by the First World War and subsequent restrictions through reparations. It was decided to revive the ‘Gotthard Express’ but the service was upgraded to include additional facilities provided by CIWL; the service was christened as the ‘Gotthard Pullman’ linking Switzerland with Italy via Basle and Zurich to Milan. The Gotthard Pullman was divided in to two halves with one half at Basle meeting previous night trains from the North and the other half commencing from Zurich. Both services combined at Arth-Goldau to form one Pullman train with the onward service to Milan. The dedicated Gotthard Pullman ran from 1927 to 1931 before it became a casualty of worldwide recession and the success of the later pan-European Edelweiss and Rheingold services.

In Switzerland the Gotthard Pullman was powered by the dark-green Ae 4/7 and also the Tuscan brown (later repainted dark-green) ‘Crocodile’ electric locomotives. The Crocodile locomotive is synonymous with Swiss railways and was a powerful if relatively slow engine but one that was needed to mount the stringent challenges presented by the Gotthard route. The MTH Crocodile will look absolutely superb pulling a rake of Darstaed Rheingold or Edelweiss continental coaches or with a shortened blue and cream CIWL Gotthard Pullman ‘couplages or triplages’ set.

This superb locomotive really captures the spirit of Swiss time keeping and real European cooperation with a period electric locomotive that incorporates superb specifications:

• Two and three rail conversion
• Die-cast precision engineered all metal construction
• Deep flanged or scale wheels
• Sprung buffers
• Lighted cab interior and headlamps
• Optional British/European drop-link couplings on front and rear
• Satin finished paint scheme
• Driver cab figures included
• AC and DC compatible

Swiss Crocodile Electric locomotive, Tuscan brown

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-5637-1 deep flange wheels order
20-5637-2 scale wheels order

Swiss Crocodile Electric locomotive, dark green

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-5638-1 deep flange wheels order
20-5638-2 scale wheels order

MTH’s European foray would not have been complete without a classic looking and distinctive British locomotive. The amalgamation of the train companies that led to the formation of LMS in 1923 left the new railway organisation in a serious predicament. In terms of motive capacity the LMS was under-powered with a range of non-compatible and ageing stock. LMS therefore, committed resources for a new generation of powerful locomotives to bridge the gap between major competitors such as LNER and GWR and itself. The Duchess (also known as the Princess Coronation Class Pacific) was built between 1937 and 1948 and became the most powerful steam locomotive in Britain regularly hauling express trains between London Euston, Manchester and Glasgow.

MTH’s Duchess Coronation Class Pacific certainly looks the part hauling heavyweight Ireland bound boat trains such as the Irish Mail and the Emerald Isle Express to Holyhead, the Shamrock to Liverpool Lime Street and the Northern Irishman and the Ulster Express to Stranraer Harbour. Liverpool and Glasgow were also home ports to many of the smaller liners with their routes across to north and south America. The Duchess Coronation Class Pacific hauled Ocean Liner specials so hook up Darstaed’s unique Cunarder Pullman set to run this British Railways express train service.

The Duchess Coronation Class Pacific is a beautifully crafted, superbly engineered and detailed locomotive that incorporates a number of features. Coming with the common British/European coupling and in a variety of BR and LMS liveries, this locomotive is ideally suited to run with a host of Darstaed and ACE coach types. Key features of the Duchess are:

• Die-cast precision engineered all metal construction
• Deep flanged or scale wheels
• Sprung buffers
• Lighted cab interior, firebox glow and headlamps
• Optional British/European drop-link couplings on front and rear
• Satin finished paint scheme
• Driver and fireman figures included
• AC and DC compatible.

Duchess Class ‘Duchess of Buccleuch’, BR No: 46230, BR green early crest

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3367-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3367-2 scale wheels order

Duchess Class ‘Duchess of Abercorn’, BR No: 46229, BR green late crest

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3369-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3369-2 scale wheels order

Duchess Class ‘Duchess of Atholl’, BR No: 46231, BR blue early crest

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3371-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3371-2 scale wheels order

Duchess Class ‘Duchess of Montrose’, LMS No: 6232, LMS black

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3370-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3370-2 scale wheels order

Duchess Class ‘Duchess of Sutherland’, LMS No: 6233, LMS crimson lake

Price £1185.00 +(P&P)
20-3368-1 deep flange wheels order
20-3368-2 scale wheels order