Looking for Comments on the MTH Ready-to-Run 4-6-0 Steam Engines

I don't own one but they are oversized meaning larger than scale from what I have learned.

mine looks like this one posted here. It's a PS3 version.

Engineer-Joe,

Are those scale or traditional size cars It is pulling?

MWasko posted:

Engineer-Joe,

Are those scale or traditional size cars It is pulling?

...they look pretty "scale" size to me; and the engine looks pretty small-ish... 

Mark in Oregon

MTH used these in RTR sets for a few years in the early 2010s. The first year, with PS2, the engine had an issue with the gearbox hanging very low and the engine would not run over tubular track without the gearbox shorting out on the center rail. I found out the hard way - bought the PRR freight set that year and returned it. It could not run on my tubular track layout.

I noted that the following year, I believe the engine had PS3 then and I very clearly remember examining the engine up close and noting the gearbox/chassis had been re-tooled to provide much more clearance.

These do NOT have the Belpaire firebox?  Branchline power?

Engineer-Joe,

Thanks for the picture & the videos. It clearly can pull a lot of cars. Which model is it?

Here are some photos from the auction site & google. The colors are off or it is the lighting in the room.

The last two photos are the PS 3.0 versions. Maybe they are gray.  The first two & your look darker.

Charlie

SJC,

Thanks for the heads up on the earlier PS 2.0 models. If I make a decision to buy, I'll look for the PS 3.0 version.

Charlie

I have a ps2 christmas version. Its a good runner and pulls a lot. Runs on my gargraves and ross switches fine. The sounds with santa are very festive including the sleighbells!

How can you go wrong with anything PRR?

I purchased a PS3 Christmas passenger RTR set last christmas and I am very pleased with the engine, its pulling power, and its sound/smoke output. This is my fifth PS3 engine and i am very pleased with it, yes it is not "scale" but it is very nice looking none the less.

Weaver Pennsy G5  model, brass, more detail. 

SJC posted:

MTH used these in RTR sets for a few years in the early 2010s. The first year, with PS2, the engine had an issue with the gearbox hanging very low and the engine would not run over tubular track without the gearbox shorting out on the center rail. I found out the hard way - bought the PRR freight set that year and returned it. It could not run on my tubular track layout.

I noted that the following year, I believe the engine had PS3 then and I very clearly remember examining the engine up close and noting the gearbox/chassis had been re-tooled to provide much more clearance.

I have a 4-6-0 john Deere RTR set that MTH produced in 2003, it is an early 5 volt board.  I have run it on lots of tubular track without any problems. When I get home tonight, I'll compare it to my later PS3 4-6-0, but I am pretty sure the gearbox is nearly the same if not identical.

I too have the Christmas version from 2012 PS3, a gift from my wife and my first train! A great runner, love everything about it and made me an MTH guy for life!