How to tell if MTH DCS?

Bob,

There are a couple of places to look. First, the end of the box. If you see QSI anywhere in the description, then it is a conventional (non-DCS) engine.  Next, turn the engine or tender upside down and look for a gold sticker. Again, if you see QSI, it is conventional. If you see PS2 or something similar, then it is a DCS engine. BTW, DCS equipped engines will run in conventional as well as command. 

Chris

LVHR

If it is a steam engine, the plug has four pins for conventional (PS-1) and ten pins for PS-2

RoyBoy posted:

If it is a steam engine, the plug has four pins for conventional (PS-1) and ten pins for PS-2

Beware that LOCOSOUND also used the same 10 pin connector and is NOT compatible with DCS other than conventional operation.

H1000

If you have the product number, then look it up here.

http://mthtrains.com/product_locator

Look on the bottom of the locomotive or more frequently the tender.  If you see a round or square charging port, that's PS/2.   As mentioned above, any PS/2 will have a 10-pin tether connector.

GRJ,

You are right of course, but there are early PS2  engines that did not have charging ports. Also, the new PS2/3 engines do not have charging ports.

Chris

LVHR

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Look on the bottom of the locomotive or more frequently the tender.  If you see a round or square charging port, that's PS/2.   As mentioned above, any PS/2 will have a 10-pin tether connector.

But having a 10 pin does not mean it is PS-2.  As mentioned further up, conventional loco sounds also used 10 pin.

Conventional MTH engines can change direction with direction button or moving throttle to zero and back up.  Both do the same thing.  Remove power for a second or two allows the conventional reverse unit to sense the change and go to the next state.  Neutral, forward, neutral, reverse, neutral.........  G

George, that's why I mentioned it as an additional check, I was really triggering on the charging port.

Take some pictures of what you bought and we can get a better idea.

Even a cab number might help. 

H1000 posted:

RoyBoy posted:

If it is a steam engine, the plug has four pins for conventional (PS-1) and ten pins for PS-2

Beware that LOCOSOUND also used the same 10 pin connector and is NOT compatible with DCS other than conventional operation.

H1000

Good to know. Thanks.

Here's what I have.  Some had boxes which said DCS.

MTH Big Boy, PS2, 10 pin
MTH 4-4-0 American Steam U.P.#119, PS2, 10 pin
MTH 462 Baldwin Pacific Steam, Jersey Central, PS2, 10 pin
MTH Galloping Goose Diesel, (box says DCS)
MTH 2-8-0 Freight, Great Northern RR, PS2, 10 pin
  (based on your input, these all appear to be DCS)
MTH 4-4-0 "Texas" #49, 4 pin, no sticker (has sound) ?
K Line 2 truck Shay ?
2 lionel hand cars
  (the cover came off one of these and I see a small electronic component across the motor leads - is this reversing logic?)

Have pics I can post if they might help on the couple I'm not sure about.

Just got all the stuff home from the estate sale so now I need to setup a test track once I figure out the transformer/DCS wiring.  Had to rip stuff out in a hurry so no time to track the wiring of the existing layout.   Removing the track wasn't fun - many soldered connections.

Ha, the fellow liked J. Cash and apparently one his songs will play in one of the Jersey Central cars - no clue how that might work.

BTW, are these good locos?

Thanks for your help, Bob