Frustrated with new Railking Pennsy M1A

Yes, I too noticed several areas where the paint is either coming off or wasn't even applied. I touched it up with a little black paint, but one really shouldn't have to do that to a $450.00 locomotive. I am concerned about MTH's quality control since their move to a new factory in China. I'm also not convinced that the drawbar is an improvement over the tether. Time will tell.

I would strongly recommend returning the engine for a full refund. I agree, in no way should one spend this kind of money for problems. By getting your money back, it hopefully shows MTH that these problems are not going to be tolerated. 

It was tested and fine in the store. I don't think that a refund is called for at this time.

I got mine last week, at first everything was great!! Then the problems started first, one of the vertical railings on the back of the boiler was broke off, not popped out of the hole but broken with a tiny piece still in the hole in the boiler. Second issue, some of the paint is coming off of the ends of the axles, almost looks like the side rods are hitting the ends of the axles. Third issue, is the loco started to make a growling sound when running on he layout, something in the motor/linkage seems to be hanging up. I contacted the dealer that I bought it from and I must say they were 100 percent helpful in the matter, they even contacted MTH and had them send me a RA number. I am very pleased and encouraged with the help that the dealer has given me. I think it is a great looking and sounding loco without spending a $1000.00 or more, but I know these things happen and it does get frustrating. Mine is actually boxed now and going to be sent out tomorrow. I attached a few pics.

 

Jeff

I get broken parts from rough shipping but,how can there be binding/linkage issues when MTH tests every locomotive?

Jeff, my drive wheels look the same as yours. I'm not sure whats causing that, but I could live with that if not for the other issues. I just hope that it can e fixed, because I really like the model. As I said earlier, the detail rivals or surpasses Premier locomotives from a few years back. One thing I have noticed is the handrails and grab irons are made from a thinner gauge of wire than some of the older Railking locos. Im not sure why the switch was made because I think the old ones looked just fine.

Why not? If there is a problem with the engine regardless of whether or not it ran in the store, a refund is warranted. No one is expected to keep something they are not satisfied with. I had no problem or issue asking my dealer for my money back.  

I have just about decided that I'm going to ask for an exchange, because he has two or three more in stock. But rest assured I will be going over it with a fine tooth comb before I take the replacement home. And it will definitely be test run extensively. I really don't want to give up on the proto 3.0 steamers because the sounds are absolutely awesome, and when it was working it smoked like crazy. Altogether a very impressive locomotive for the money. I'm willing to give MTH a second chance because I like the locomotive that much.

I have the same engine and it runs fine on my O42 and O54 curves. If you're running O31 I'd suggest using the longer drawbar that came with the engine.

I placed it on the track and turned the power on........nothing.

Are you running conventionally or under DCS?

 

Regardless, a bit more detail regarding your power and wiring would be helpful.

It was test run in the store on conventional. At home I have an MTH 75 watt transformer connected to a DCS remote commander......the system that comes in the starter sets

Maybe this engine had in fact been run with the "full" DCS system and the ID was reset.  Try running it on conventional.

You need to do a factory reset.  The starter sets DCS only respond to engines that are identified as "0".  If the hobby shop assigned it to another number say 1, it won't be recognized.

Just a thought

Because I think MTH and the store should be given a chance to fix the locomotive. You have your opinion and I have mine.

I also thought about a factory reset, however even if the dcs remote commander doesn't recognize the loco, shouldn't the headlight at least come on when it receives track power before I press start up?

I also thought about a factory reset, however even if the dcs remote commander doesn't recognize the loco, shouldn't the headlight at least come on when it receives track power before I press start up?

No, it will do exactly nothing. The engine needs to be Factory Reset and not added to a DCS Remote after the reset.

AGAIN have you tried to run engine in conventional mode on your track???

No, I don't even have a conventional transformer. All I have is an MTH power pack, a dcs remote commander and 4x12 foot oval of lionel fastrack. Would MTH really send these things out to dealers needing to be reset to operate with a remote commander? Are they perhaps assuming that if you are purchasing single engines that you have moved on to the full dcs system?

Yes it is possible.  Does your dealer have the DCS system?  He can do the reset.  G

I had a similar issue with my Evolution Hybrid last year.  At my dealer it worked great, I got it home and used my remote commander and it did nothing (no lights also).  So, then I dug out my DCS.  It worked perfect under DCS.  Next, I did a factory reset using the DCS and tried the remote commander again.  The engine fired right up.  So, I called my dealer and they said that they did try the engine out on their DCS system make sure everything worked correctly.  They had received several engines DOA and wanted to make sure this one was in working condition. 

 

-Ryan

Ok guys, just heard from my dealer. The locomotive did indeed need a factory reset. It was apparently test run by mth under a full dcs environment, and as a result the remote commander wouldn't recognize it. I think this is a slight oversight on mth's part, but I'm will to forgive and forget. I'll just have my dealer do a factory reset from now on when I purchase a new locomotive. At least until I invest in the full dcs system. My dealer also glued the handrail stanchions back on without me even asking him to. In case you guys are wondering who my dealer is, it's the Train Loft in Winston-Salem NC. The owner Jeff Konczal is a great guy and he bent over backwards to help me out. He also has a huge MTH inventory and he will ship anywhere. Sorry, I just had to give him a shout out. Thanks to everyone who gave advice. There are some knowledgeable folks on this forum!

I bought a 254e  proto-2 set last year and it was new in the box from MTH. It would not work with the Commander that came with the set. I did a factory reset with my dcs and it work fine using the Commander Controller. I also bought a 262e proto-3 set and it worked ok with the Commander controller.  

They need to find a way to reset it either from the commander or a jumper. Seem MTH could have a few unhappy people thinking their engine is broke and all it needs is a reset. 

Marty,

 

I had a pre-production model of the Remote Commander and the doc mistakenly said that a transformer reset would Factory Reset a DCS engine. After explaining to them that that was just wrong, they changed the doc.

 

Unfortunately, there's no way to get a Factory Reset into the DCSRC handheld since it's a one-way communicator. It hasn't got the ability to query the track to find out the DCS ID# of the locomotive to be reset.