Advice on MTH 30-1287-1 locomotive

@tsheridan posted:

I’m not knowledgeable about the newer technologies

Then do not buy it.

I'm being dead serious- you may not understand the variations of PS2 controls that were used and the risks and inspections required to ensure your purchase doesn't just burn up the first week of operating it. Really simple- based on the number alone, if someone called me and did not have internet and the first digits of a railking started with 11 or 12 (30-12xxxx-x) I know that's a PS2 5V and would tell them either get one heck of a deal on it (dirt cheap to compensate for the repair and upgrade that might be required) or just pass.

#1 PS2 can run in conventional. In fact all MTH engines ever made can run in conventional.

#2 PS2 engines all have a battery and given the age, that battery is probably shot. At a bare minimum, it needs inspected and validated before using the engine. If it already leaked and corroded the harness, that can be a problem.

#3 PS2 5V engines with Wincap brand capacitors are known to have an extremely high failure rate. Again at a bare minimum before ever powering the engine, one should closely examine the PS2 5V board, determine the brand of caps and look for swelling of the known to fail 330uF 35V cap.

#4 Another hugely common failure is the flaking magnet on the speaker. This at a bare minimum results in bad sound, but far worse can short the speaker to AC frame common and blow the amp or the entire electronics.

Vernon makes some valid points.

If you're willing and able to uninstall PS2, and skilled enough to install a Dallee electronic e-unit (about $60), you'll end up with a die-cast, dual-motored Big Boy that runs decently, albeit silently, on O31 curves.

If I take the Becker Grand Prix stereo out of my Mercedes, it's still a Mercedes.  Modern trains aren't collectibles in the sense of art, coins, etc.  You're buying a 21-yr-old toy, or perhaps even a piece of consumer electronics.  All of these considerations should be priced into the deal.  It comes down to your appetite for risk vs. the seller's, and your opinion of the item's intrinsic value, vs. the added value of the electronic features.  As the great Mike Brady once said, caveat emptor!

Thank you for the replies and advice - I think my needs are simpler for a steam locomotive- good whistle and smoke

I’m not sufficiently skilled at diagnosing and replacing the more advanced electronics

I’ll search for a conventional loco to purchase

thank you again

Good choice tsheridan!!!!!

From my own personal experience, anything with a PS2 5volt board in it is a "crap-shoot"!!!  You have to factor-in the cost of the replacement PS3/2 stacker board, and the time and effort to do the conversion, even though they say it is a "plug-n-play" conversion (which sometimes it isn't)

Walk away and look for an early PS1 Big Boy that will fulfill your all of your requirements without the stress and heartache when that PS2 5V board "cacks its pants".

Peter.......Buco Australia.

I’ll beg to differ just a little bit, ……Of course our buddy Vern makes solid points, and he is correct. However, given the current landscape, and so little new product available, especially for someone like Tom who’s strictly a no frills conventional operator, ( there’s nothing wrong with that! )  then making a purchase at the right price point, is worth it to have the locomotive re-worked to suit his needs…..ie; simple reversing unit, basic sound, PS1 type or similar smoke unit. If the price is right for a locomotive that Tom really likes, and perhaps there might not be an opportunity in the future to get a “new” one, Then a custom tailored “rebuild program” from any number of available technicians could be an Avenue for Tom to explore. Many times, before PS3 steam kits became available again, an alternative to get a “kit” was to buy a RK steamer, rob the guts, convert it to conventional basic operations, and sell it off,…..that happened a lot!……of course, purchasing something that is known to have an issue like a 5V PS2 engine, the cost of an upgrade ( or downgrade for lack of better terms ) has to be taken into consideration……..if Tom strikes up a relationship with a good tech that understands exactly what his wishes are, it’ll open up an entirely new route for him to explore …..and then the hunt is on!….

Pat