Converting Proto Drive 2 to Traditional.

MTH is introducing Proto-3. That has no battery. Maybe a Proto-3 upgrade would be better.

GlennRJr,

It all boils down to how much you're wanting to spend. If you prefer traditional, purchase a Wms. reverse board and do a low cost conversion. If you want all the bells & whistles, go for a PS3 upgrade.

God Bless,

Pappy

TCA TTOS

This engine is the christmas tree set so the smoke and sounds everyone loves.  The MTH proto smoke makes the tree look like it is on fire and the whistle recordings on this engine are unreal.  This was my first venture into standard gauge .  If I had known then about all the electronics in this thing I would have concidered the traditional version .  But here I am with a busted loco and $ 300.00 dollar bill that will put a damper on my purchases.  I would rather put the money into finding a # 42 electric project but I also want this engine to run again as well.

Glenn

Glen: Send me the model number of the engine. If this engine has 3 volt Proto-2 boards, I should be able to repair it for less than the $300.00 MTH quoted you. I am in Lewistown, Pa. I am an Authorized MTH Service Tech and you will get the same warranty on this that they will give you if you send it to them in Maryland. I have the boards in stock and you are looking at about a two week turnaround. My e-mail is in my profile. Drop me an e-mail with your phone number with a good time to call and I will give you a call. 

Forest.

Hello Forest,  the boards are at MTH now.  They said they are not able to repair them and have to replace both boards.  They also said the timing switch might be damaged as well in the loco.  I have not sent the loco out yet as I am not wanting to pay that much in repairs.  I will email you on this.  the set number is # 10-1251-1e  it is the # 384 steamer in Blue Comet colors and Blue Comet crew and anouncement sounds.

MTH is talking about the tach. reader. If both boards are shot, the reader is most likly

toast also and will have to be replaced. Thats the little thing above the motor flywheel.

Thats right the tach reader.  I could not remember that for the life of me.  I am also tempted to wire in a e unit and leave it at that.  My sons old Williams GG1 in O gauge is wired like that.  2 nasty can motors and one lionel e unit .  She runs very well and will pull a train long enough on a 4 x 8 layout to tuch engine to end of caboose.

It's really easy to convert the loco to forward only with a bridge rectifier (less than $10) or to add an electronic reverse unit from Dallee for around $40-$50. The $30 Williams unit might work also. the sounds will be gone, but the smoke unit can still function.

Rebuilding the Proto 2 or Proto 3 is not the only option.

Where can I get the electronic reversing parts from ?

I have converted Proto - 2 to conventional using a Lionel electronic unit and MTH 6 volt constant voltage board. It involves gutting the engine and mounting the Lionel board. Must install a 6 volt constant voltage board with a diode to drop the voltage for the smoke unit motor and rewiring the smoke resistors to run off track voltage. Should also mound a new DPDT switch to turn the smoke unit on-off. Most likely will have to swap out the light bulbs to run off of track power or install a second 6 volt Board to power the ones in the engine now. I charge between $90.00 to $150.00 depending whether I have to cut or drill any mounting holes in the frame and what features the customer wants in the finished product.

Forest. 

Can I also buy a MTH repop BAL to replace what I have now if I can get one cheaply?

I am not sure what you mean.

I was thinking of can I replace the proto drive system with a traditional MTH build a loco motor and wheels .  Is the frame the same or does it need modification. 

Glenn

You could buy a Build-a-loco motor, but the can motor that is already in it will run fine and last a long time. Most of the electronic E-units available (Dallee, Lionel, Williams, QSI) will operate the can motor just fine and they don't cost that much. Do you know anyone who is good at working on trains?

http://dallee.com/E_Units.htm

http://estore.bachmanntrains.c...amp;products_id=1684

i don't mean to sound snotty, but it sounds like you want to look for the most expensive or the most complicated solution. If you don't run the train in DCS command mode, if you only use a transformer in other words, the loco can be made to run quite well and rather cheaply with the suggestions that have already been made.

I was looking at the can motor as not being that good.  But after you said that about reusing it , I think that is what I will do .  I love the set and it would be a shame to shelf it but putting 2 to 3 hundred more dollars into a MTH 384 is not an option.  I would rather put that twards an original .  I will get my boards back from MTH and follow the e unit route.  Thanks all and Thanks RoyBoy you are not snotty and thanks for the links.  Sometimes you cannot see the obvious when it is right in front of you.

Glenn