MTH 20-3021-1 Big Boy Protosound upgrade to PS3 or Not

You'll get a good DCS engine with great sounds and you can change the sound file to any file you choose! as far as MTH is concerned MTH does not bring a lot of parts they may or may not bring kits for Deizel's or steam engines. you can call them before hand and ask them to bring one kit, but I seriously doubt they will bring one for you one not just a steam kit part number 50-1911! also with the kit you can still run conventional.! Alan

@Alan Mancus posted:

You'll get a good DCS engine with great sounds and you can change the sound file to any file you choose! as far as MTH is concerned MTH does not bring a lot of parts they may or may not bring kits for Deizel's or steam engines. you can call them before hand and ask them to bring one kit, but I seriously doubt they will bring one for you one not just a steam kit part number 50-1911! also with the kit you can still run conventional.! Alan

I tend to agree with the likelihood of getting P&S to bring one to York...when I asked about having a diesel snowplow tossed in the 'bring to York bin', I got this answer (tl:dr, too short-staffed and swamped with parts to handle requests).  For what it's worth, the PS3 upgrade kit I procured at the spring '23 York show, I got from Just Trains, and I didn't even know he had them at his booth. I was talking with the owner about the Proto-1 Class A I picked up earlier in the day and my intent to have it upgraded, and he volunteered that he had the kits on-hand

So, it may be more productive to ask the major MTH dealers attending the meet if they have any upgrade kits, and if they plan on bringing any.

---PCJ

We will have a handful of parts for sale in York. I am cerain there will be upgrade kits for both steam & diesel.

Thank you,

Mike

@VADarthDad posted:

Looking for advice on whether I should update my 1997 Big Boy PS to PS3 or leave it conventional.  It seems to be working fine, but I had to pull out a separate track and my ZW to test it.  My generic layout setup supports both MTH DCS and Lionel TMCC/LCS, but I don't have any conventional track.

I've updated the J, A, and Y6 without issue.  But I don't have a spare 50-1911kit sitting around.  Looks like that is what I need and they are in stock for $200 from MTHpartsandsales.  Anyone know if MTHpartsandsales will be at York and if they bring them?

Has anyone else upgraded and regretted?  How are the new sound options?  Any suggestions?

Can’t think of any reason not to do this. I recently upgraded a PS1 Cab Forward. The Pittman motor performs better than the current motors. The ASC guys can confirm but you may be able to get the correct parts to give you whistle steam. Look at the parts pages for the Big Boys made in the past few years, rather than a simple upgrade kit.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Can’t think of any reason not to do this. I recently upgraded a PS1 Cab Forward. The Pittman motor performs better than the current motors. The ASC guys can confirm but you may be able to get the correct parts to give you whistle steam. Look at the parts pages for the Big Boys made in the past few years, rather than a simple upgrade kit.

Pete

Who are the ASC guys?  I can’t seem to see any online p/l or diagram to show what parts to order or how anything connects for whistle steam.  The 50-1911 PS3 conversion instructions are also silent on adding whistle steam to a ps3 board.  

authorized service center guys

these older engines are great runners and worth the upgrade, in my opinion!