Advice sought on converting MTH 3-rail Premier loco to 2-rail scale

 I don't think anyone can right now. These trucks are an old design. All of a sudden every diesel in the new catalog says 3/2?

We posted this on the MTH products page here on the forum. No one replied.

So will these trucks now be a new type? or if not, they are buggers to make into 2 rail versions.

post your truck's 3/2 questions here:

https://ogrforum.com/...s-from-2017-volume-2

or on Facebook where they might answer?

Yes, PS3 is DCC compliant. You have to throw the switch to DCC mode if equipped. (Otherwise there maybe a jumper.)

My guess is that it was a catalog oversight. MTH does this frequently. Ex. The recent 0-8-0, which was previously available in both Hi-Rail and Scale Wheel variants, was listed in both versions. Guess what? They only cataloged and produced the Hi-Rail model.

So, IF they have updated the trucks to a Proto 3/2 truck then all you have to do is swap the wheel sets and flip a switch and you can run on 2R. You will still need to fix the pilots on your own.

IF it is a catalog mistake then the conversion process is pretty involved and difficult. You would be best served to contact Joe F. at Baldwin Forge & Machine to do the conversion for you. OR just find another model. Sunset is making E8s in 2R currently for example.

Why not ask Susnset 3rd Rail if they have any E8s left in 2 rail?

Here's my advice: Send your model to Joe at Baldwin Forge & Machine. He's honest, fast, reliable and very skilled.  'nuf said.....

Since I'm based in the UK, it's not easy for me to use a US-based third party to do modification work.  Not impossible, but certainly an up hill struggle involving calling in various favours from friends, etc.  So bottom line is I need to get the truth from MTH as to whether they really are the convertible version or not - without that, I'd probably pass on buying the specific model.  I suppose looking back through the history of a given model type and finding out if it's ever been offered with scale wheels is a good indication too.

Thanks for the help guys.

Regards, Bevis.

Bevis, I really like the 2 rail models from Sunset.    The single motor drive is much better for 2 rail operations than the 2 motor drives in MTH or Lionel, and you don't need any conversions.    They have just announced an E6 and have Alco PAs and SD40s in the works

I just checked the website for "diesel super sale" and they still have some E8s, SD7/9, and F7s in stock it appears.

http://www.3rdrail.com/Diesel-SuperSale.html

Bevis King posted:

Since I'm based in the UK, it's not easy for me to use a US-based third party to do modification work.  Not impossible, but certainly an up hill struggle involving calling in various favours from friends, etc.  So bottom line is I need to get the truth from MTH as to whether they really are the convertible version or not - without that, I'd probably pass on buying the specific model.  I suppose looking back through the history of a given model type and finding out if it's ever been offered with scale wheels is a good indication too.

Thanks for the help guys.

Regards, Bevis.

Bevis, if I am understanding you correctly let me throw my 2 cents in. I believe what you are looking for is an MTH hi rail or 3 rail model (one with a -1 at the end of the product number) that comes the trucks that are easily converted to 2 rail by just swapping out the wheels, right? Since you need to know for sure before you buy my advice is to wait until they come out. Then find out from someone who owns one or from someone who runs or works at a hobby shop that can tell you for sure if they have the 3/2 trucks. Then and only then would I purchase one. I am sure that if you wait you can find a dealer that has an extra one. It is the product numbers that have a -2 at the end of them that one must pre-order to make sure they get one. As Johnnyspeed mentioned it will be up to you to remove the Lionel type coupler and fix the pilot. 

I would also suggest you consider the Sunset model. First of all you know for sure it is 2 rail. I very much like MTH products. I have a bunch of their locomotives but consider that if you go with another brand the sounds will be different and you can still control it with your DCC system. 

http://mthtrains.com/20-20850-1

... "Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable"...

I know there have been these exact mistakes in the past. Someone got the Genesis diesels labeled in the wrong road numbers. At least that got fixed.

I just haven't seen it in such a wide spread way before? Either MTH is really making all their diesels 3/2 in this new catalog, or someone made a mistake.

 I'm getting upset. I miss Taylor. Who's doing these catalogs now? Such a great product to let slip into the abyss.....

 Have I mentioned the MTH Amtrak F40PH Phase IV blue yet today??? I may not be pre- ordering anything for awhile.........

5 new products in a row now I've had to fix, right out of the box!!!!   ????

Can I vent here yet???

(if it was Taylor I'd let it slip!) 

Hudson J1e posted:

Bevis King posted:

Since I'm based in the UK, it's not easy for me to use a US-based third party to do modification work.  Not impossible, but certainly an up hill struggle involving calling in various favours from friends, etc.  So bottom line is I need to get the truth from MTH as to whether they really are the convertible version or not - without that, I'd probably pass on buying the specific model.  I suppose looking back through the history of a given model type and finding out if it's ever been offered with scale wheels is a good indication too.

Thanks for the help guys.

Regards, Bevis.

Bevis, if I am understanding you correctly let me throw my 2 cents in. I believe what you are looking for is an MTH hi rail or 3 rail model (one with a -1 at the end of the product number) that comes the trucks that are easily converted to 2 rail by just swapping out the wheels, right? Since you need to know for sure before you buy my advice is to wait until they come out. Then find out from someone who owns one or from someone who runs or works at a hobby shop that can tell you for sure if they have the 3/2 trucks. Then and only then would I purchase one. I am sure that if you wait you can find a dealer that has an extra one. It is the product numbers that have a -2 at the end of them that one must pre-order to make sure they get one. As Johnnyspeed mentioned it will be up to you to remove the Lionel type coupler and fix the pilot. 

I would also suggest you consider the Sunset model. First of all you know for sure it is 2 rail. I very much like MTH products. I have a bunch of their locomotives but consider that if you go with another brand the sounds will be different and you can still control it with your DCC system. 

Apparently, I don't have that choice anymore. Something went south for me with Scott and That is That! It was my fault. I pre-ordered an E8 and I was waiting to see what would happen. Ah well. life's too short. My funds are limited anyways.

I do like 3rd Rail products overall and may get some more. I look to MTH first, to get what I want and run it with DCS anyways. So I have to yank out the DCC boards out of other brands.

 With the quality of the newest DCC boards available, I could see people choosing to go that way. I'm happy with the new PS3 boards, features, and sounds overall for me. I enjoy the ease of operation and programming..... on most days.

I bought the MTH FTs last year with PS3 and they were cataloged as 3/2 compatible, even the boxes were labeled as 3/2 compatible....BUT they were NOT. The old solid truck blocks were used. I would wait until they come out.

Hi Bevis, I picked up an MTH ES44 last trip - Protosound 3, 2-rail wheels.  It works fine on my North Coast outfit - for some reason looks a bit out of place surrounded by late '70s D&H stuff...!  There was a spare set of MTH packaged diesel wheels at the show - 42" - so I got them for converting some other 3-rail locos I've acquired,  more on those whenever.  I didn't see any MTH 40" wheels, maybe somebody can comment.  Here in the UK Peartree offer 3'1" (about 40" at 7mm:1ft) screw-on wheels which also have 3/16" axles so conversions, well at least to unpowered(!), are possible.  Holding the loco before handing over cash is the best way though.

Jason

Just a note on 3 rail to 2 rail conversion. I've Been in 2 rail O scale for 38 years and have constructed several layouts over the years, the current occupying 34x54 feet representing western Canada.  My encounters with the 3 rail 'China block' truck assembly conversion had puzzled me for years. However, I have had several successful  attempts after just insulating the axles from the wheels.  I realize the following procedure may sound crude but it has worked for me and successfully allowed me to run MTH and Lionel locomotives that were only available as 3 rail releases. First I pull the original high rail wheels and axles from the truck block, separating all wheels from axles including gears. Then, using a small hobby lathe, I turn down the original axles to fit the MTH 3/2 wheel assembly kits. Only the ''ends of the axles are turned! I then pull the MTH 2 rail wheels from their axles and press them on to the original truck assembly gauging as I go. It's important to save the original axle ''gears'' as i've found the MTH gears can be of a larger or smaller sizes depending on the Loco your converting, Example K Line, Lionel etc. The final procedure is to simply set up a wiper system using bronze material. This may seem like a lot of work to some, but it has allowed me to run, as an example MTH locos, such as their DD-40, turbines, C liners, K line F unit sets, Lionels baby trainmaster, GP units and SD 40s. All still utilizing the complete electronics included with loco, as I mix both DCS and TMCC.  I will sit down, one of these days, and do a layout article on my Pacific & Great Western 'O' scale Division. Maybe once I do the first one, others will follow, one after the other. Sound familiar. Thanks for reading. Myles.