Are new MTH E8s and PAs Proto 3-2 Capable?

Could we get a confirmation that these will have 3/2 trucks as listed (again) this time?

In fact, all the premier diesels are listed as 3/2 in the new catalog. Is that accurate?

I sent an inquiry directly to MTH--I will let you know when they respond.

IC EC

Many thanks to MTH and Kirstin.  Here is the response:

Thank you for contacting MTH Electric Trains.  We appreciate your interest in our products. Yes, these Premier E-8s will have the ProtoScale 3-2 feature. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thank you,         

Kirstin Martinez

MTH Electric Trains

Well That is nice to know. Thank you for the work and the follow up.

The catalog orders were due a while back though right?

I think they were due a few weeks ago.  I am still going to hold out for confirmation.

Has anyone received a new E8 from MTH yet?  I'm still looking for confirmation that they are "Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable."  

What about the PA's, they were listed as 3-2 scale any confirmation ?

Thanks Dean

I'm looking forward to seeing the "proof". If they are Proto 3/2 now, we need to get Mario to work on a new Pilot or pilot spacer

I edited the title--still looking for a confirmation.  Has anyone received a new MTH E8 or PA?

Just got home from our local hobby shop, where I ask their two experts about this, i.e. the 3-2 rail switch. The answer is:

1) Unless one specifically orders a 2-Rail version of the model, only then does the model come with the 2-3 rail switch.

2) MTH sent out a "bulletin" quite some time ago, informing shops & authorized repair personnel that the 3-2 rail switch would NO LONGER be installed on all future 3-Rail models, due to "problems with the switch circuitry" on the 3-Rail models. In the future ONLY 2-Rail models with scale wheels will have the 3-2 rail switch.

While there, I looked at the latest MTH E9 units for METRA, and being 3-Rail models, neither of the two powered A units on the shelf, had the 3-2 rail switch.

Hot Water,

Thanks very much for asking.  I double-checked the catalog and the product locator and I did not see the option to order 20-xxxxx-2 versions, so I assume the versions with scale wheels are uncataloged?

IC EC

IC EC posted:

Hot Water,

Thanks very much for asking.  I double-checked the catalog and the product locator and I did not see the option to order 20-xxxxx-2 versions, so I assume the versions with scale wheels are uncataloged?

IC EC

Or,,,,,,,not cataloged at all because they have not been "redesigned" for 2-Rail, as the F Units were. Thus, they are NOT AVAILABLE in 2-Rail.

IC EC posted:

Many thanks to MTH and Kirstin.  Here is the response:

Thank you for contacting MTH Electric Trains.  We appreciate your interest in our products. Yes, these Premier E-8s will have the ProtoScale 3-2 feature. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thank you,         

Kirstin Martinez

MTH Electric Trains

I would just like someone to look at the truck's bottoms. That's all.

That's really my question as well--If the trucks have the removable bottoms like other 3-2 convertible diesel locomotives, installing scale (insulated) wheel sets is relatively simple.  I'm much less concerned about the wiring.

On the other hand, trying to convert an existing E8 with the captive axles would be far more difficult.  I know NWSL makes the wheel sets, but I don't have a puller and a press.  The frame also may or may not need to be modified since the electrically conductive drive gear sets are on opposite sides of the front and rear trucks.

3/2 = NOPE! 

I think you still need to get people to look at the bottom of their engine trucks plus see if the diesel engine comes with a 3 / 2 switch if you are interested in trying to convert a 3-rail engine to 2-rail. Here is the reason why...

Out of the MTH 2017 Volume 2 Catalog, I pre-ordered and received about 3 weeks ago the following...

20-20810-1  CSX SD70ACe Cab #4849

20-20825-1 CSX AC6000 Cab #607

20-20827-1 CSX AC6000 Cab #696

You notice in all 3 cases I ordered the 3 rail version. All 3 engines have the 3 / 2 switch and have correct type truck (plastic - removal piece) to easily access the wheel sets. The SD70ACe engines are offered in both 3-rail and 2-rail. The AC6000 engines are ONLY offered in 3-rail version. I only run 3-rail DCS and don't intend to convert them to 2-rail. But unless the 3 / 2 switches in my 3-rail versions are not wired, they should be able to be switched to 2-rail and work.

However, one of the above post implies that unless you order the "-2" version, you won't get the 3 / 2 switch.

Dudley,

We asked--neither the E8s or the PAs come with the 3/2 trucks.

IC EC

Another thing to know is where the flanged wheels are located. On the 3-2 capable 6-wheel, 3-axle trucks, the set up is flanged-blind wheel-flanged, note the inner axle wheel is the dummy. Flanged on both ends of the truck. On the non-3/2 capable 6-wheel, 3-axle truck is flanged-flanged-dummy. The dummy wheel is located on the innermost side of the trucks. 

I was replying to the message Hot Water posted above about MTH sent out to MTH repair techs about future engines that are ordered in the 3-rail version (i.e. the 20-xxxxxx-1) would not have the 3-2 switch installed and thus it would be difficult to convert them to 2-rail versions due to issues with electronics needed to support both 2-rail and 3-rail.

The engines I referenced ARE the latest engines released by MTH just about 3 weeks ago, thus far MTH is still putting 3-2 switches on 3-rail engines PLUS there was no “-2” version of the AC6000 engines available which some people might assume meant they couldn’t buy a 3-rail version and convert. 

The E8s and PAs were not catalogued with a -2 version and can’t be easily converted. I know that. I was just trying to warn people just because there is NO -2 version catalogued, that is not a absolute way to  determine if it is possible to convert the newer engines. It might be worth asking people who have the newer engines to check them if you plan a buy a 3-rail and hope you can convert it.

Must not have been clear. With the next 7 new engines I have on order that are suppose ship within the next month, I won’t bother you by posting whether they have the 3-2 switch or what type trucks.

Dudley, you are correct, and these newer engines are awesome!! I agree the best method is as you suggested. I get the -2 versions and run them on 3-rail track. Thanks again for the info. 

After getting a pair of Sunset E8s, I would think MTH would have to make an extremely well detailed model.

Dick