Model Review: MTH™ R21 - New York City Subway

[Brighton Local]

Set: R21 - Redbird
Producer: MTH-Mikes Train House
Road Name: Metropolitan Transportation Authority - New York City Transit
Release Date: Summer of 2001
Scale: O Gauge-MTH Railking Line
Route:
North Terminal: East-241 St-White Plains Road, Bronx
South Terminal: Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn
Via: 7 Av Express

Ahh yes, the beloved Redbird Subway Cars that ran through the tunnels and over the Els in New York City. The Redbirds were (and still are) an icon to the Subway system up until the last set was retired in November of 2003.

In the Summer of 2001, MTH Electric Trains released a 4-Car Redbird Subway Set with sound and signage for the West Side-7 Av Express Train.

This set is painted with the Redbird scheme from the mid-80s to 2003; however, on the same token, its been stated that the R-21 Class never actually wore this scheme.

Station Stop Simulation goes as follows:

East-241 St/White Plains Road: This is the last stop.

Pelham Parkway / Bronx Park / Bronx Botanical Gardens

East Tremont Av / Bronx Zoo

42 St-Times Square

34 St-Pennsylvania Station / Madison Square Garden

Park Place - World Trade Center

Wall Street

Grand Army Plaza / Brooklyn Museum

Flatbush Avenue: This is the last stop.

This set is detailed with everything from the front & side rollsigns, crisp "EXP" / "LOCAL" decals on each end of the cars, the logo, and the end of car pantograph gates.

The R-21 was one of the first of 4 subway sets produced by MTH; hence, its to my knowledge that since this set was produced so early, 'Transfer to' announcements weren't put into play yet. The next set after this one that was released; The original R-17 Train was equipped with 'transfer' announcements.

PROS: Crisp Red colored Painted cars, Crisp signs as well as the logo, Great announcements (World Trade Center Included; Pre-9/11 Set), & No window trouble (Since the windows on the earlier sets were molded onto the cars). Bascially everything is great on this set except for the 2 Cons below..

CONS: Tremendous coupler gap between the cars. The cars were delivered with extra long couplers which makes the gap between the cars, 'that much bigger'. Also, the 'no transfer announcements'.

Like most or all of the MTH Subway Sets, the R-21 Train came as a 4 car set; 2-car Add-Ons were available as well.

4 Car Set Car Numbers: 7090 (Powered Unit), 7092, 7110, 7111
*2 Car Add-On Set Numbers: 7050, 7299

*The 2-car Add-on Set was equipped with the 'regular short couplers' that are found on most POST-R-21 Railking Subway Sets.

Unlike today's Subway Sets produced by MTH, The earlier sets were released as 2 different models; Loco-Sound and Proto-Sound2.0.

LocoSound sets were equipped with just a horn and a bell.

Protosound 2.0 sets were/are equipped with Station stop announcements, hustle and bustle of people in the backdrop, sounds of the city, squealing brakes, etc.. One can also program the train in certain ways to run it between certain stops that the 'operator' or 'modeler' favors.

4.5 out of 5 Stars in my book.

Have to love the Redbird R-21 Train Subway Set




Pricing

One can try and pick up a 4-car set with ProtoSound today for a minimum of 575.00 to 640.00 or more.. Locosound maybe a little cheaper, but not by much.

2-Car Add-Ons are going from a range of 259.99 to 329.99


Zach

[Jamaica Express]

I want this set, But I can never find it anywhere

[mediccjh]

I believe you are correct in that the R-21 never had the Redbird scheme.

[N-Trizzy2609]

A few were painted in Redbird paint but never saw service. Same with the R17s.

[Y2Julio]

600 bucks? you could have bought yourself a new lens for your D90 Zach.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Y2Julio

600 bucks? you could have bought yourself a new lens for your D90 Zach.

Lens? I could have bought myself a [living] girlfriend for that much money!

[Dan05979]

$600 soldiers is way too much dough, right joe. hey that rhymed. I just bought the same set for $250 new on ebay joe

[KNIGHTRIDER3:16]

It is nice set ,I've always liked the silver moldings on the doors on this model .

[Brighton Local]

Originally Posted by Y2Julio

600 bucks? you could have bought yourself a new lens for your D90 Zach.

Originally Posted by Joe

Lens? I could have bought myself a [living] girlfriend for that much money!

Guys, I bought the set for 259.99 back in 2001. The set is now worth 600.00 or more.....

[Budd M1]

I could never own model trains unless they were exactly like the real thing.The long couplers just make it look ridiculous,thus defeating the whole purpose.R17 6688 was in the red-bird scheme in service before it was sent to the museum.

[Brighton Local]

Originally Posted by Budd M1

I could never own model trains unless they were exactly like the real thing.The long couplers just make it look ridiculous,thus defeating the whole purpose.R17 6688 was in the red-bird scheme in service before it was sent to the museum.

We all have our own approach about things..

[edinsonmercedes]

Originally Posted by Jamaica Express

I want this set, But I can never find it anywhere

Try going to ebay and type in MTH,it should help