I purchased a 20-20556-1 from the 2015 Volume 2 catalog NS F-7 A unit, cab #4270, from a Forum member and it is a real sweet looking and running engine, no problems with it. I went to purchase another A unit to go with it and in checking MTH I see that MTH lists both a powered A unit (Price: $449.95 ), and un-powered A unit (Price: $169.95), as well as B Units (Price: $169.95 ). The lead A unit that I have doesn't have any type of harness whatsoever or receptacle. In the manual it states that you have to run 2 powered A units as a lash up in DCS, no problem, I see that would work, but it does raise the cost of an AA or ABA much higher. It states nothing about a non-powered A unit.
Here is the question. since MTH lists the following features for it's non-powered A unit 20-20557-4 as having (1) Operating Metal Coupler, (1) Non-Operating Metal Coupler, a Directional Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlight and Illuminated LED Number Boards , Lighted LED Marker Lights , and Lighted LED Front Marker Lights , 1:48 Scale Proportions, so how does it control the proto-coupler and headlight direction since it has no tether and no PS-3 board? Has anyone bought the dummy A unit and how is it equipped? I think it would just have to have lights and nothing else, no way to control anything. Strange/different approach MTH is taking.
I called Steve at MuffinsTrains and have a powered unit on it's way.
