MTH K4 questions

My first suggestion is to have the seller give you the MTH item number because I'm pretty sure that MTH offered the K4s steam locomotive models in both the Premier Line (true 1/48 scale model) and their Rail King Line (NOT true 1/48 scale). An MTH item number beginning with 20- is Premier Line SCALE, while an item number beginning with 30- is the Rail King non-scale line.

Thanks, I'll check on that.

I went to the MTH website and found a Railking K-4 #1361 listed, first appeared in Spring 1997, 30-1115-1, that seems to be what you are looking at. Since it is Railking, it is not 1/48 scale, but the smaller "traditional" O. It has PS-1 sound, but the list of acceptable transformers cover the digital type so it should work with newer transformers. I bought a MTH Premier K-4s years ago, also PS-1, and it required an old style sine wave transformer to run, not doing anything but making bell noise when I used a Lionel CW80 or MTH Z-750. Luckily, I was going to change it to Lionel TMCC, which allowed all transformer use. Hope this helps.

Thank you, Engineer.  That pretty much kills the deal for me.  Much obliged.

In my experience I would recommend avoiding the PS-1 equipment. It can be difficult to operate.  It is obsolete and if it needs repairs you might find that it is not repairable. If you want to get into the electronic age to toy trains, I would recommend you start with something current from Lionel.  Before you get anything do a little research on the difference between the Lionel and MTH systems.

I wouldn't be too hasty! I have a Premier Line model of the PRR K4s #1361, and it is DEFINITELY scale size, and also came with DCS 2.0 command control (it will also run beautifully in congenital mode too).

As I mentioned above, I'm pretty sure that MTH made the K4s models in BOTH Premier (the one I have) and the Rail King version. 

Balsis,

I, too recommend staying away from that locomotive.  I see from your profile you too are located in Central PA.  At your convenience, shoot me an e-mail.

George

Originally Posted by G3750:

 

How do I do that?

The K4 your looking at came with and without Protosound 1 and is semi scale runs on 031 curves. I have several Proto 1 and never had any problems. I would suggest before you try running it you replace the battery with a 8.4 Volt rechargeable (NOT A 7.2 VOLT) and if the board is not scrambled your all set to go. J&W makes a BCR to replace the battery and its well worth replacing the battery with one. I have them in all my Proto1 & Proto 2 Locomotives. Only thing you have to wait about a minute for it to charge after hearing the 2 bells after powering up the locomotive.

You can put your e-mail in your profile, which is where mine is.  Just use gpandelios@verizon.net

George

Hot Water is correct- MTH has both a Premier K-4s and a Railking version with the #1361 on their website. The Premier version appeared in 2004 with PS-2 and will work with just about any transformer in conventional mode. Website photos show the Premier version has a back-up light on the tender, while the Railking doesn't- so this may be an identifying feature you can check with the seller. I know my early K-4s didn't have the back-up light because I added one. I have a number of MTH engines and have had good luck with reliability, so I am not adverse to recommending those with PS-2 or higher. I do agree to stay away from PS-1 because of the reasons others have said in this topic.