E8 locomotives

They are both fine units so much will depend on your own personal preferences. The MTH can be run as a single (lead) A unit as well as an AB or AA because the 'brains' are in the lead A unit.

PS2 requires the full MTH DCS system for all of the features.

An MTH PS/2 locomotive can be run in the conventional manner with a transformer. The sound and horn work and smoke can be turned on and off manually. However, it cannot be controlled with TMCC or Legacy as the signal is transmitted in a different way. A TMCC locomotive can be operated from a DCS remote by connecting the TMCC and DCS base stations with a special cable. You have to have both base stations to do this, and it only works one way, the MTH remote controlling the TMCC locomotive. 

You may also wish to consider the new Lionel Legacy E9 too. 

Absolutely! It should be a fantastic loco.  And the shipping schedule still says Feb. '14: here's hoping!!!!

I used to own the klines cb&q's. Very nice looking, but they have No smoke and no cruise control.  Also they have the inner most axles flange less much like the post war FM's from lionel, but unlike the FM's their trucks never seem to recenter them selves, really looking awkward on curves.  They also have a very crude lighting scheme with no lit classification lights.

Misplaced portholes? (see the Lionel photo).....

MTH PS2/PS3 locomotives can be operated in conventional mode with TMCC/Legacy provided that you have a TPC, Powermaster or one of the new ZW-L transformers.  I have run my MTH PRR E8's with both a TPC at home and on the club modular layouts with the ZW-L, and they run fine, and you are able to blow the horn, ring the bell and I'm pretty sure you can trigger the couplers, as well.

 

Andy

Thank you everyone for information that is most helpful.  It looks to me that the current Lionel E8 is the best way to go  based upon compatibility with what I have and superior present day technology.

 

Bob