MTH Locomotives

Fan driven smoke unit. Other manufactures use them now.

I have read good and bad things about mth what is your take on there locomotives.

I did noticed they do have a better selection in the $300 to $400 price range and all with proto sound 3.0

MTH also two heating elements too for smoke output. Even a starter set rail king engine smokes like its on fire!

I have several MTH locomotives from Proto-1 through the current Proto-3 (close to 100). They've been very reliable, but like any other manufacturer, you're going to get a couple that will go south on you. Of the close to 100 powered MTH locomotives I have had to get some fixed. I have 12 Proto-3 engines, plus a Proto-3 Turbo Train (which had to go back to replace a bad slave board). They all run well. Of the Proto-2 units, I've had four failures which were all from the first-generation (5-volt) boards and have had to replace a couple of speakers.

 

I also have a dozen Atlas diesels (TMCC) of which one had to go back for service. I don't have any Lionel TMCC/Legacy engines.

 

Bottom line is I think you'll be happy with a Proto-3 engine, or with a TMCC/Legacy engine. What should be the factor is if the locomotive comes in a type and road name you want.

Among late models (last five years or so) I have not noticed that much different.  Go back 10-15 years and the difference is more dramatic.  I've had more (two) MTH smoke units fail (out of about 30 locos in the last ten years) and none in other brands (about 65) but that might just be a statistical anomaly - but realize the fan driven units do have more in them to go wrong/needs to be taken care of.

Lots of differing opinions here on locomotives. Some like MTH and some don't. I don't favor any single brand, I go by road name (BNSF). My personal experience with MTH has been good, no problems yet, and I have several PS-2 & PS-3 engines. As AGHRMatt said, sooner or later something will go bad. I think this is true no matter whose product it is. He also suggests purchasing by your favorite road name, I think that is good too.

 

I think MTH is fine, offers a lot of value (bang for the buck). The RailKing (RK) line is an even better value. Some are slightly smaller than scale (RK and RK Imperial) and some are scale (RK Scale). RK and RK Scale are less detailed than Premier, RK Imperial is not scale but has more detail.

 

If you hang around here long enough you will probably hear good and bad things about almost all of the manufacturers.

MTH are my favorite.  All mine are reliable from PS1 through PS3.  I prefer DCS operation.

.....

Dennis

Ben

When operating MTH engines in DCS mode you can control the smoke volume, a great feature.

Ditto. Just look at the quality on an MTH Rail King modern diesel. The paint and features are fabulous, and at or near $300. 

MTH is what got me back into O Gauge.  Rewind 5 1/2 years and I was heavily HO with a 300 sqft layout.  I wanted something my son could use and HO for a youngster was out of the question.  I went hunting for RTR sets and for the price, MTH beat the snot out of Lionel with features and value.  I asked around and MTH had a good reputation so I went with a RTR Daylight PS2 set.  I think all the different manufacturers have something to offer and make some good and some bad.  I have some offerings from almost all of them.  Personally, I cannot understand the blind loyalty some have to Lionel, just because they were first, does not mean they are the only.  I think it's great O Gauge has the selection it does.

 

That said, you can't go wrong with MTH.

If you like smoke, MTH pretty much ranks as king of the road.  I'm not a big fan of filling my train room with smoke, so I always turn it off on diesels, and generally do not use it on steamers unless I have visitors who may enjoy seeing the copious output these locomotives can provide (which, as others have noted, can also be easily adjusted with command control).

 

When it comes to fidelity of sounds, my feeling--shared by many others, to be sure--is that Lionel still reigns supreme.  This has pretty much been the case since RailSounds was introduced.

 

My personal feeling is that to enjoy the full experience of operating any and all brands of command controlled trains, one really needs to have both the MTH and Lionel operating systems.  That's what I have, and I have found that both systems play very well together.  I have both DCS and Lionel's Legacy, and recently acquired the Lionel CAB-1L and BASE-1L System, which for my operational purposes I prefer even over the full Legacy (primarily because the remote is easier to operate with one hand).  I have had no problems using my new CAB-1L system, and now control Lionel, Weaver, and K-Line locomotives with that system.

 

The choices you make pretty much depend on your own individual requirements and preferences.  I cannot imagine, in a command control environment, restricting myself to just one brand of motive power.  Since I buy based on road name, and to some extent era, I like to have all options available to me.

I started with TMCC, then Legacy.  However, I started seeing MTH stuff that I wanted to add to the roster, so I took the DCS plunge.  I have to agree with Allan, it's hard to imagine being locked out of either maker's offerings for command operation, so I just have both.

 

While I do want to see smoke coming from a steamer, it doesn't take long for volumes of smoke to fill the room. Yes even with the good fluid. Sooo they end up getting turned off in a short time. Since brands have been brought into this thread I like Lionel, always will. Their newer engines give just as much smoke output as MTH and yes I do have other brands as well.

Jim

 

I like the MTH smoke unit, but in fairness I have to mention that the Lionel has a very similar design and the also puffs in sync with the sound.  Most MTH smoke units will produce more smoke than the Lionel, but my Legacy stuff has plenty of smoke.

"I have read good and bad things about mth what is your take on there locomotives."

 

One thing hasn't been mentioned, I  believe.  If you have a local dealer or dealers, visits to them may be particularly helpful.  Depending on the dealer and how collegial and socially engaged they are.  Some dealers clearly prefer, carry ± understand a particular brand, and they will be much more useful to you if you need any assistance or explanations of that brand.  Others can rationally and fairly tell you about the pluses and minuses of each brand. In the final analysis there's no substitute for seeing a locomotive in operation, hearing it, handling the controller, etc. 

 

If you have no local dealer there may be a local club.  Once again, that club may have a particular favorite brand or not.  Lastly, a local hobbyist may be able to orient you to the strengths and weaknesses of the brands and show you what he or she has.  Joining the TCA, or other primarily O gauge train club (the others are mostly Lionel oriented:  LCCA, LOTS; TTOS is all scales and gauges)will get you access to a directory of members so you can see if anyone is nearby who can share their knowledge with you hands-on, up close and personal.

 

As you've seen, there's no shortage of definitive opinions on-line .

https://ogrforum.com/t...t-on-a-heavy-consist

 

Check out Tom's video; that's MTH.

 

 

Rick

I am with Allan.  If I never get another snootful of that smoke smell it will be too soon.

 

Don't get me wrong - I like the odor of a real steamer.  Jet exhaust fills me with nostalgia.  A wood- burning fireplace is a delight.  And model train smoke makes me ill.

If you don't like too much SMOKE; turn it down or install an exhaust system.

I think MTH has the lock on smoke units.

 

Lionel is getting better because they want smoke at different engine locations not just coming out the stack.

Model train smoke, be it Lionel, MTH or any other brand, is best taken in SMALL doses with adequate ventilation!

 

The Gilbert American Flyer pine-scented smoke fluid of my youth was, and remains, the BEST fragrance of ANY smoke, including ALL imitations! 

Thanks for all the info very useful. These won't go in O scale but are for boats and ships from harbormodels check out the smoke from this thing. I read where some guy or gal put one in a G scale locomotive was so big had to put in the tender then run a tube up to the smoke stack.

 

-Creates a plume of "smoke" over 5 feet high
-Rugged custom made polymer
reservoir (2 x 2 x 1.5") with mounting flanges
-Squirrel cage fan creates
strong static pressure. Perfect for manifold exhaust systems such as multiple
smoke stacks
-Proprietary heating elements assure maximum "smoke"
effect
-Draws 2 amps on 12 Volts
-Uses traditional model train smoke
fluid, ONE 4 OUNCE BOTTLE INCLUDED WITH SMOKE
GENERATOR

Dimensions:
Reservoir alone:
2 x 2 1/4 x 1
5/8"
Reservoir and Fan:
4 x 2 1/4 x 1 5/8"

I prefer MTH and DCS.. yes, things can break but out of the box success rate is better than with the other manufacturer.. DCS is also ( imo ) easier to use...

Have to agree with Tinplate Art on the amount of smoke put out. I run 3 or 4 locomotives on my layout the smoke sets on my fire alarms in the house. I must keep it turned down if I don't want the phone to ring or the fire chief knocking at my door.

Mike CT,

There is no low smoke fluid power OFF feature that I am aware of. I suspect that such a feature would add to the already high cost of locomotives, so I prefer to be the controller.

Before running any locomotive with a smoke unit, I always put a small amount of smoke fluid into the unit.

I run several PS-2 and PS-3 engines, and a few Lionel TMCC and Legacy, all using DCS and/or TMCC. I may jump into Legacy if and when Lionel brings the new 990 sets to market.

I agree that MTH smoke units seem to produce the most smoke, and the synchronized puffing since the introduction of PS-2 is great. You can mod Lionel smoke units with larger air intakes, tiki wick, different resistors etc to pretty much make the same kind of smoke as MTH. There have been plenty of topics giving details. I have modded all my Lionels and I am happy with the results. Lionel did not introduce synchronized smoke for steamers until about 2003 and then only on high end engines. More recent steamers and all Legacy engines have puffing smoke.

As far as sound goes I have to agree that Lionel has the edge over MTH. The sounds are deeper and just more realistic somehow. Its too bad MTH don't seem to care to go back and revise their sound files and get with the program. It doesn't seem like it would be hard to do, but there is a cost of course.

You also need to consider serviceability.

With a TMCC engine, if something fails, it can usually be diagnosed and fixed by replacing a plug in module. Most modules are $50 or less.

Not so with PS-2/3. If anything fails or shorts out, it often takes out other board components, and the whole board set has to be serviced, or replaced at a cost of $180 plus installation. One real weak link in PS-2 is the sound amp chip. It seems that any anomaly at all causes it to fry, and its a bear to replace. (GGG on the forum does it at a cost of $50 plus shipping. His turnaround time is really good.)

Another nice feature of TMCC/Legacy engines is the wireless tether. The MTH tether cord can be a nuisance depending on how often you have to remove an engine from the tracks.

So there are pros and cons to each. But it is great to be able to run all types.

I agree that Railking engines are the best bang for the buck, particularly the Imperial line of steamers. Anything with comparable detail and features in the Lionel camp is hundreds of dollars more expensive.

 

Just my .02 worth; and I am not picking one over the other. I love them all.

 

Rod

Benjamin:

An MTH smoke unit on High will easily make a 5' plume from a non moving engine.

BUT, your source has far more fluid reservoir, so that is probably a good choice for you.  Take a look at JT Megasteam for smoke fluid, I'm sure you will like something there.

 

Rod;

I think you nailed it.

I am fortunate that I can do my own repairs if I need them.

And I do love my Imperial Railking Steamers.

I run TMCC with DCS, they play well together and I'm sure one day I'll have Legacy.

So far Lionel has not made an engine I gotta have so it's on the deferred list.

 

To Lionel: Rio Grande NEVER had a Berk !

Why is that the only Steam Engine you make in Rio Grande paint ???

(I may have missed some there, I don't look at old catalogs.)