Keep or Sell RailKing Engines

Sell; and let someone else enjoy them.

Sell the steam, keep the diesel. Usually easier to upgrade electronics on diesels. Or you can remove the motors and use it as a dummy, and you still have the coil couplers, center rollers, lights, speaker. I converted an MTH PS1 GP9 to TMCC dummy using an LCRU I had laying around. Might have burned out one of the triac for the coil couplers, based upon something Gunrunnerjohn said about resistance of MTH coil couplers.

A few years ago, I was thinking about thinning my roster. Getting rid of some engines and rolling stuck that rarely saw track time.  I hadn’t been using a PS3 Railking Erie Lackawanna E8 ABA much so I got it out to take a few pics and to check the chronometer and odometer. I figured I would put it up for sale.  It was right around this time of year so if someone wanted it, I could deliver it at York to avoid shipping charges. But when I got it out and ran it, I remembered why I got it. It looks great. The EL paint scheme just does something for me. And it sounds great. Nice loping idle, nice diesel rumble at speed, nice horn, nice bell. It’s one of the best sounding diesels I have. So, I decided not to sell. It had close to 1000 scale miles so I gave it a lube job and kept it in the roster.

@illinoiscentral posted:

I had laying around. Might have burned out one of the triac for the coil couplers, based upon something Gunrunnerjohn said about resistance of MTH coil couplers.

Yep, if you use the PS2/3 couplers on a TMCC board, they draw far too much current.  They'll work a few times before they cook the coupler triac.  FWIW, the PS/1 couplers are compatible with TMCC boards.

And then there are guys who don't care for "sounds" such as myself.  I have three RK steamers and a half dozen or so MPC Lionel engines with sound too, and I just run them quietly along side prewar and postwar Lionel.  However, I admit some of the videos you guys provide are pretty darn amazing, smoke, bells, whistles, chugging and talking, realistic to incredible levels.  But...to each their own, just enjoy the hobby, that's what counts.  

GRJ,

So step one is determine if the engine was PS1 or PS2; I have the box, just look at the original MTH number and/or MTH website. For sure the donor was GP9 (put an IC cab on it of course).

Step 2 is see if a fried triac is the problem. Could be a loose connection.

Step 3 is see if I can find a replacement and repair.

But Step 4, what do I do, put a resistor in series with it? Give up? Swap?

Most definite the donor engine was NOT PS3.

Then another project is lift a ERR Cruise out of a Williams Trainmaster and into a set of MTH PS1 NP F3, and as I recall, I need to buy some plastic shield, of which you already answered.

Bob B. and others ...

What?  Sell a train when most products may be worth less than the price you paid for it? If taking a financial loss isn't an issue, consider the psycho-emotional loss of treasured items -- which may be too much to bear.

Years ago, after a spate of medical issues (TIA, stroke, and a cardiac incident) I decided to sell my large O-gauge collection of Rock Island trains made by several manufacturers, along with many accessories, structures, and 1:43 vehicles. My thought was to spare my widow the daunting task of disposing of the trains -- 8 pages of inventory. Stout Auctions handled the sale, and I received what I thought was an "about right" payment. Then I recovered and began to regret that decision. I'm now 84, but I realize my trains will have to be disposed of somehow -- sooner or later.

My remaining RI trains are mementos, and I have allocated them to family members in my Will after I board the Post Mortem Express bound for Grand Celestial Station.  That works for me and her. Until then, I'll keep the "shelf queens" now now on display in the Train Room:
* MTH Aerotrain with RI décor plus 10 coaches
* MTH Alco DL109 with RI passenger cars
* Lionel "Northern" steam loco with freight cars
* Third Rail Rock Island TA diesel set with PEORIA ROCKET passenger cars
* Lionel Rock Island E6A diesel with RI passenger cars
* Lionel "General" RI steam loco and RI&P passenger cars.

These train sets are reminders of my lifelong interest in the Rock Island, the railroad that served my home town (Peoria, IL) when I was a boy in the late 1940s and early 50s. I was then an occasional passenger aboard the Peoria Rocket.  During decades of involvement in the hobby, I collected trains of the RI. Now I can't bring myself to sell these remaining trains because they are precious memories.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394