MTH MT-3013L 4-8-4 Santa Fe Northern With PS-1 #2903

To my knowledge, Lionel has never made a 2900 class in either TMCC or Legacy. Only the 3751 styled class. You might be better off having somebody convert your MTH model to TMCC with ERR electronics.

Lionel did make the 3751-class ATSF 4-8-4, but not the 2900. The 3751's are similar to the 2900's, of course, but are an older, smaller class and not quite as massive.

I'm wondering if Lionel bought the MTH tooling for the 2900's and we may be seeing that loco in Legacy one day. They just released the former-MTH Santa Fe 2-10-4, and I believe that the boilers are the same piece for both locos (the real locos had a similar relationship).

I'd go ahead and convert the PS-1 version to ERR; much cheaper, simpler, and runs really well.

Totally agree on a conversion. Get GRJ or Alex to do it and you'll be way ahead of the game.

Gerry

Thank you, that is what I will do.

@D500 posted:

Lionel did make the 3751-class ATSF 4-8-4, but not the 2900. The 3751's are similar to the 2900's, of course, but are an older, smaller class and not quite as massive.

I'm wondering if Lionel bought the MTH tooling for the 2900's and we may be seeing that loco in Legacy one day. They just released the former-MTH Santa Fe 2-10-4, and I believe that the boilers are the same piece for both locos (the real locos had a similar relationship).

I'd go ahead and convert the PS-1 version to ERR; much cheaper, simpler, and runs really well.

In an interview about the current catalog Ryan mentioned Lionel bought the MTH tooling for both the 5011 class 2-10-4 and the 2900 class 4-8-4. They decided to run the 5011 class first because they just ran the 3751 class two years ago, and Lionel figured the 2900 class was too close for most people to differentiate.

OP I have two Premier 2900 class 4-8-4s, 2903 and 2921. I run TMCC/Legacy and DCS, so I installed PS3 in both of them. They should take ERR no problem. The one below is a factory PS3 version that I got unpainted and was missing all the wiring, electronics, drive line, and motor, so I painted and put it together.

This was a PS1 version I updated to PS3 and detailed. I blackened all the shiny trim and wheel rims, added bell cords and guides, painted the smokebox graphite, and added a movable stack extension.

@Lou1985 posted:

In an interview about the current catalog Ryan mentioned Lionel bought the MTH tooling for both the 5011 class 2-10-4 and the 2900 class 4-8-4. They decided to run the 5011 class first because they just ran the 3751 class two years ago, and Lionel figured the 2900 class was too close for most people to differentiate.

OP I have two Premier 2900 class 4-8-4s, 2903 and 2921. I run TMCC/Legacy and DCS, so I installed PS3 in both of them. They should take ERR no problem. The one below is a factory PS3 version that I got unpainted and was missing all the wiring, electronics, drive line, and motor, so I painted and put it together.

This was a PS1 version I updated to PS3 and detailed. I blackened all the shiny trim and wheel rims, added bell cords and guides, painted the smokebox graphite, and added a movable stack extension.

Sharp, very sharp. The details are nice - and those shiny tires won't be missed, for sure.

I still intend to ERR mine. The basic ERR installation (command/cruise/Railsounds board/leave the old 4-wire PS1 tether) is one of the more straightforward installations. I enjoy only the basics of command and sound, so I leave the headlight and old smoke unit untouched and running off track power, as manufactured. I leave the smoke off as often as not.

That kind of ERR installation in a PS1 loco is about as clean an upgrade as there is, if Guitarmike just wants to get it done. The fancy stuff is just fine, and impressive, but not for me.

Thanks D500, I am reasonably skilled when it comes to soldering, I think I will pick whatever I need from ERR and do the conversion.

Mike

Here is my 2921 MTH upgraded with the ERR Cruise Commander and the 3751 sound board (I ordered that from Lionel).  Sorry for the shakiness as I was walking alongside the Engine.

Before the price craziness, the PS/1 steam used to be a great deal and perfect candidates for upgrades to command.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Before the price craziness, the PS/1 steam used to be a great deal and perfect candidates for upgrades to command.

Agreed.  In almost every case it appears that asking prices for Proto 1 locomotives have doubled, at a minimum, since early 2019.

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Agreed.  In almost every case it appears that asking prices for Proto 1 locomotives have doubled, at a minimum, since early 2019.

Mike

I got lucky. The ERR upgrade and sound was more expensive than the engine.

Installing PS3 in a PS1 steam engine is pretty easy. Installing ERR requires many more steps. Seems like many of the glitches haven’t been mentioned here. TMCC requires an antenna. If you put all the electronics in the tender you either have to isolate the shell from the frame or if you are lucky it has a plastic coal load you can lay it under. Then you need more wires between the tender and engine. Installing the antenna in the engine is much more problematic to get it outside the shell. Most if not all MTH steam has metal handrail stanchions so you can’t use those like you can on Lionel engines. Now if you want chuff sounds and synchronized puffing smoke you need some sort of chuff switch which can add to your cost and time.

Just know if you do it yourself or have someone else do it its more than the cost of the kit(s).

Pete

@Norton posted:

Installing PS3 in a PS1 steam engine is pretty easy. Installing ERR requires many more steps. Seems like many of the glitches haven’t been mentioned here. TMCC requires an antenna. If you put all the electronics in the tender you either have to isolate the shell from the frame or if you are lucky it has a plastic coal load you can lay it under. Then you need more wires between the tender and engine. Installing the antenna in the engine is much more problematic to get it outside the shell. Most if not all MTH steam has metal handrail stanchions so you can’t use those like you can on Lionel engines. Now if you want chuff sounds and synchronized puffing smoke you need some sort of chuff switch which can add to your cost and time.

Just know if you do it yourself or have someone else do it its more than the cost of the kit(s).

Pete

I am leaning towards having someone that has done a bunch of these take care of it, I do not feel like learning the hard way right now.