MTH Proto 3 Diesels

 Well, you have to add KD couplers.

That's pretty much it, oh and what Joe said...

good to go may be a realtive term Pete.

we have yet to hear about the extent of the MTH DCS/DCC functionality in DCC, just how many functions and control are accessed in DCC mode, and how well it does that.

I for one would like to hear from those here that use DCS/DCC and what has been their results.

Pete, yes it should be good, check the toggle to make sure its in 2 rail mode and the DCS/DCC switch is set to DCC then just add couplers and you're pretty much done.

Chris, a club member of yours Drew has a PS3.0 ALP46.  Have you spoken to him about his experiences?  Our club only has DCC on the HO side and I've tried it on DCC to a limited extent and it works out of the box.

Here's a video I made from my old HO scale layout where I was running PS3 and DCC...I talk about how to run the locos and programming them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...6xucRtQ&index=14

MIke, I've seen Drew run the new ALP46, but he has not said anyhting about it's performance.

Will, your video should give Pete some confidence about DCS/DCC.

Pete. I posted a reply to your inquiry on the ModelingInOScale Yahoo Group. Basically, the two things of concern in your situation are the DCS/DCC switch which may or may not be set to DCS from testing at the factory and adding Kadee couplers (the 2mm screws are in the bag with the snow plow.) Every scale-wheeled locomotive I've purchased has had it's 2-rail/3-rail switch set to 2-rail at the factory.

For couplers I like the 805's (and their 700-series counterparts) but you have to shave about 1/8" off the rear of the coupler box for 6-axle diesels to clear the hi-rail coupler mount on the power truck.

People I've talked to running Proto-3 engines under DCC swear by them (as opposed to swearing AT them.) The sound is great and I'm hoping the Proto-3 upgrade kits are released soon.

Pete, Chris, and others

See my review of the MTH F7s with PS-3 in the Jan- Feb 2013 Issue of OST #66. I took the units to Terry Terrances DCC layout and we found these to be virtually totally  compatable with DCC.  We just put it on the track, gave it an address, and then had fun with it. Sound, lights, and all.  We could also "program on the main" as it is called. There are some minor things that you can do with DCS that you can not do with DCC.  But most all DCC functions seemed there

Suggest you read that article, and also download an MTH PS-3 instruction booklet.  For example:

http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...ction/20dl16148i.pdf

SEE MATT JACKSONS CORRECTED LINK BELOW

Pete: by the way, your web site of your layout one of the things that inspired me to go to 2 rail.

I know you're all rolling your eyes, but I must ask ask a simple question: Is it true that an MTH Proto 3 diesel these days with scale wheels can be purchased, taken out of the box, placed on my RR, given its cab address, and it will run perfectly with the sound? It has a stationary pilot and is "good to go"??????? Somehow, I'm skeptical. Peter

Well, you have to add KD couplers.

That's pretty much it, oh and what Joe said...

....And what everyone else said too! 

MTH decided that pain and suffering should not be a necessary part of 2 rail O scale.  A few will be disappointed by that.  The rest have become repeat MTH customers.

Also, unlike all other factory sound decoder equipped locomotives MTH ProtoSound 3 locomotives come out of the box identically speed mapped.  And I mean all.  If you want to do like the UP and run 844 and 4449 in a consist with a SD70ACe heritage unit no time at all is needed to map the locomotives.  One throttle step = 1 SMPH out of the box.

John/Pete:

The above link is for the Protosound 2 version. The Protosound 3 version which is DCC compatible is at:

http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...ction/20dl17868i.pdf

Thanks Matt!  forgot the early F7s were only PS-2

That makes 3 of us. I have two Lionel locomotives and one MTH locomotive that I converted to 2 rail many years ago. All three are waiting for a PS3 kit.

Pete, I have one PS3 locomotive and I love it. It runs and sounds great. The engine ran great on the factory default settings so I didn't have any reason to play with the CVs other than the address. I know MTH has opened more of them up in recent years as compared to the first PS3 HO locomotives that they produced.

 anywhere to see Pete's layout online?

Isn't that strange? S scale (the scale side not the toy trains side) is definitely a smaller market than O scale 2 rail but yet they did this for the scale modelers in S who run DCC. Perhaps Lionel feels that the average 2 railer has a bias against Lionel due to their toy train history? Or is it that they feel the average 2 railer is just too picky? I have some Lionel freight cars that are just awesome. Detailing is right up there with Atlas and maybe perhaps a hair better. When I convert a Lionel freight car I use Atlas trucks. With the new and improved trucks I have on order these freight cars should look really good.

I have to admit that adding DCC would make Lionel locomotives more attractive to me but the cost of conversion is still a hefty price to pay over the cost of the locomotive especially for steam. Currently, I just can't afford to buy any Lionel locomotives and the only reason is because they do not offer DCC and 2 rail which is what I like. Most folks agree the Lionel sound is the best which is why I wouldn't mind owning some of their locomotives. Unfortunately, I doubt it will ever happen. My last engine was a MTH and I have 2 more on order from the newest catalog.

http://crcyc.railfan.net/model/trunk/trunk.html