A Long Sad MTH Experience

I read all the various post with respect to damaged or broken engines here.  This is a small vocal group as compared to the folks that run and buy trains.  Granted this is the dedicated hobbyist here.

I just can't see how from a statistical perspective a person can state with certainty there are issues.  Go sit in your LHS and ask every customer that comes in if they are on this forum.  I think you might be surprised how many are not.  So is this forum a statistical representation?

I think only the manufactures know, and it does cost them to do these repairs under warranty, so I do think they are vested in quality.  But price point matters too.

This is still small volume.  Larger the volume sold, more profit with ability to hire best manufactures and focus and pay more for quality.

Not that there isn't low cost ways to improve, but considering how many time Lionel approach bankruptcy, and who knows what the profit margin is for other train companies, there doesn't seem to be a lot of money room to approach a higher level of quality.

Statistically, sooner or later some one does has bad luck and does get several lemons in a row; while some one else doesn't have any issues.  You can see it in these post.   G

It amazes me how much tolerance some RR hobbyists have for poor designs and shoddy quality plus apologize for manufacturer's defects.  The numbers crunchers run these companies today to squeeze dollars out of the market. Also, don't give all the big shots too much credit for knowing what they are doing. That is based on 40+ years of experience in business. The present group of model train  manufacturers have a serious marketing problem-their main competition is millions of perfectly good, enjoyable Lionel trains that were made 60-70 years that are a good value for the money. Several years ago I admired a new O gauge loco sitting on the counter at the LHS and the young lady who works there said, "yes, when they run".

I only have 3 MTH engines Proto 2.0 with the 3 volt boards,

Here is my take:

Sounds are great on some others ... well lets  just say my U50c  sounds like a hair dryer going down the track..

Great details

Have a Milwaukee Little Joe and unfortunately cannot operate the pantagraphs... I have  tried everything.

Have not purchased the  DCS system, probably will not.

The Sperry rail car is actually lots of fun

I will only continue to purchase MTH engines when  Lionel will not make certain models.

I can operate most of the critical functions with the Legacy remote, but I have to vary the voltage conventionally.

Hi Folks,

Many years ago, I talked to a volunteer at a fire station that had an annual Christmas display (3-rail) and he told me they run a loco for only 30 minutes at a time (continuous running), then give it a chance to cool down.   I am surprised, with all the sensitive and elaborate electronics in the trains today, that after 87 hours of run time in a semi-commercial environment it wouldn't require some sort of an electronic repair or replacement of components.   

What is the time frame on the warrantees on these engines?

Take care, Joe.

Ken, FYI, a factory reset is not the same as a conventional reset.  If loco is still under warranty, I'd call MTH tech support (Not local hobby shop or so-called certified tech) and discuss the issue.  I'd ask for a return authorization.  If not under warranty, I'd discuss with MTH anyhow. If I couldn't fix it myself, which hasn't occurred yet, I'd contact one of the 4 supergurus on the forum.

I have 25 DCS locos (2 PS3, 23 PS2) and none have recurring problems like this.

All MTH cares about is shipping new product out the door.

Originally Posted by 1drummer:

The track power and wiring was set up by 4 or 5 very knowledgeable electricians/electrical engineers.  No one else using the layout (and there are about 100 of us) has ever had these problems on the layout using a wide variety of MTH, Lionel, Atlas, and Williams engines.  So, it's NOT the power or wiring.

To put this in perspective, I have several PCs, laptops, smartphones, iPads, cable modem, and wireless router, all of which are older than these engines and cost as much.  They're all working flawlessly.  One of the laptops is 10 years old!  despite being under-powered by today's standards, it still works like a charm.  I have a 13 year old car I bought new, now with 160,000 miles on it, and containing much more complicated electronics than any of these engines ever will.  Other than regular service maintenance, it has never required me to spend money in unnecessary fixes.  My experiences with electronics puts the lie to the idea that complex electronics cannot be made to exacting standards and designed to work as advertised for the long haul.

I have Command Control equipped locos from several different manufacturers and have had varying issues with all of the brands.  Sorry that you've had a bad experience with your MTH locos, but I would have to say that MTH is no worse or better than any of the others.

I have numerous MTH locos, but except for a couple I've had issues with, they run reliably.

I have not had any electronic problems with my MTH engines, however I have only 5 of them. Only replaced the traction tires on my Reading T-1. Also replaced a PS-1 battery in an engine after buying it used, but no other issues.

I have had more problems with Lionel stuff in the past 12 years then I care to relate on here. My biggest problem was their #6-23011 O gauge tubular switches, I had 5 and they all acted up on me.

I have about 12 Williams(before Bachmann) engines and have not had any breakdowns on them. Had to add a power kit to an F-7 for more pulling power on a passenger set, but no other problems.

Lee Fritz

The OP has made his point and many opinions have been voiced here.

It's time to move on.

This thread is now closed.