MTH FA 3/2 conversion question and frustration

They make a 2 rail version of the U25B. Maybe those trucks would help

That really stinks. I would be upset because those non convertible units are useless to me. I wish you good luck. I have a lot of MTH trains and I love them but I guess no company is perfect. I hope MTH can do something for you. 

Rick,

It is possible with the proper shop tools to convert those 3 rail trucks to 2 rail operation using NWSL wheels.  I have done this many times.  If you intend to use the PS3 circuitry, you will need to install all of the un-insulated wheels on one side of the locomotive and fabricate phosphor bronze pickup wipers to contact the insulated wheels on the other side of the trucks.  The pickup wipers would be connected to the wiring that formerly went to the 3 rail roller pickups.  Pickup wipers are attached to the truck frames with single sided PC board material attached to the truck block with 0-80 screws.

I machine the NWSL wheels to fit the original MTH axles (3/16") and install Micarta bushings for insulation on one side of each wheel set.  I think NWSL now offers a kit to convert these trucks but I do not like the small delrin insulating bushings they use.  I believe they have a tendency to slip under power.  Their bushings are adequate for non-powered wheel sets.

The other option is to sell the locos as 3 rail models and move on.  MTH should refund your money.

Joe Foehrkolb

Baldwin Forge & Machine

Never buy anything from MTH for 2 rail unless in has a -2 at the end of its product number.  This will signify scale wheels for steamers and fixed pilots and scale wheels for diesels.

Eccentric Crank posted:

Never buy anything from MTH for 2 rail unless in has a -2 at the end of its product number.  This will signify scale wheels for steamers and fixed pilots and scale wheels for diesels.

The other option when there's no -2 model made, is to make sure the trucks are 3/2 in advance by requesting the seller makes sure the trucks have the plastic 3/2 removable bottoms. I have converted several of these type models easily already. The SD80/90MAC comes to mind as well as the AC6000 and others.

 The last catalog was all messed up and was posted about several times here on the forum. MTH claimed nearly every diesel model would be 3/2. The E series would have had to have new tooling and it never got it. So I asked Andy E what happened? He said he wasn't sure how that mistake was made. I pressed it as I had been burned myself on a recent pre-order.

 So???? Buyer beware??? !!!

https://ogrforum.com/...s-from-2017-volume-2

https://ogrforum.com/...ies-diesels-question

I agree with Joe above.  NWSL makes kits, and with a really good press you can convert anything.

But for the average hobbyist, best to buy what you want.  There are plenty of 2-rail Alcos out there, plastic and metal, and some of them run quite well.  Early Weaver may have gear problems.  Run before purchase.

Thank you gentlemen for all of your responses.  I actually asked the gentleman to verify the box NOT the actual trucks.... lesson learned. He’s a good and fair man and said he’d gladly refund me for the return.  I was really hoping there was a way to swap these trucks out... maybe I will see If I can get a U25 set of trucks from MTH...

they are nice looking FA units.  I guess I will stick with the proto three conversion of my existing weaver FA units.... any idea if MTH is willing to sell any of their trucks?  I’ve met with resistance in the past...

thanks again