Is MTH's problems giving you second thoughts still buying from them? I ordered 3 NS heritage units from MTH but I'm thinking of changing after I see what Lionel's look like. Please no flame wars but the problems are very concerning.
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Originally Posted by david1:
Is MTH's problems giving you second thoughts still buying from them?
No. I base decisions based on personal experience, and I've had no problems what so ever with MTH.
At this moment I have 5 Legacy engines in Lionel's shop for warranty work. I have never had a single issue wiith my MTH engines. I do like the Legacy products more as far as looks, sounds and fun to run but I have had more than my share of break downs. all five didn't break at once, it happened over a several month span.
Originally Posted by Gary:
Originally Posted by david1:
Is MTH's problems giving you second thoughts still buying from them?
No. I base decisions based on personal experience, and I've had no problems what so ever with MTH.
Same 
The nice thing about the newer MTH diesels is, you can order them in 2-Rail configuration, which gives you fixed pilots and full length hand rails. Then just change-out the wheel sets with "Hi-Rail" wheels, and you have a fantastic looking & running diesel unit.
I have about 20 MTH locomotives and have had very few problems with them including 2 recent additions with Proto 3. If you are running DCS and have not upgraded the software version in your TIU and remote to the latest version (I think it's ver. 4.1) I would strongly recommend that you do so. Proto 3 engines will load up and run with an older version of software, but the latest version provides some great features which can benefit Proto 2 engines as well.
I find BOTH MTH and Lionel's service good. Turn around time is about the same and parts orders about the same. Could they BOTH use improvement? Absolutly!
My personal experience with MTH has been very good. The few problems I had were quickly rectified. Although I roster equipment from all manufacturers, I believe I favor MTH because the company has been most responsive to bringing to market models of a wide variety of prototypes not produced previously at the time of their release, for example the AGEIR box cab, Baldwin "Centipede", E44 and AEM7 among others. I currently have the Premier Jersey Central H24-66 on order.
Given the overly sensitive nature of many posters, please understand my positive comments regarding MTH are in no way to be construed as negative toward the competition. In fact, Lionel's scale model of New York Central's S-Motor and Atlas' diesels decorated for assorted New Jersey shortline railroads are among my most treasured pieces of equipment.
Bob
Nice thing about opinions, they are like belly buttons. Everyone has 'em.
That being said the few time I have used MTH CS or parts my experience has been fine. But to be clear I do own more Lionel than MTH so my use of these services is limited.
That being said though I would take a look at other threads posted to this board and factor in those comments as well.
This is a no win question. Many complain MTH does not reply to their request. Lionel many times does not have parts available. So flip a coin and go with your gut feeling. They both have pros and cons....jim
