MTH proto 3 w/DCC: Anyine running one yet

Absolutely.  Several in our group have picked up MTH locos with PS3 and we run them on Digitrax DCC with no issues.  I really am impressed by the 645 non turbo in the GP38-2's.  See our photos and video from Galesburg Railroad Days in the separate discussion thread.

Here is a photo of the new MTH GP38-2's with PS3 on the layout.  In addition the two ATSF Dash-9's on the point of the train in the background are MTH units with PS3

For a while I had a temporary layout in my basement. Of all my engines that ran on this layout my one MTH locomotive with PS 3.0 was my favorite to run. It simply ran great. It's slow speed performance was pretty good (down to 2 SMPH if my memory serves--this was a little over a year ago) and I had no problems running it with a NCE DCC system. Since this was a temporary layout I only had 2 jumpers to the track. The layout was just circle of track 12' X 24' and with only 4 wires to the track the engine never once stalled on any of the switches. I could always count on the "999" as we called it.

I have a few H.O. contacts who own MTH Proto-3 engines and regularly run them on DCC. They swear by them. If I can get it scheduled, I'm going to run my Proto-3 engines on the Orange County O Scalers layout. I've been researching DCC systems to supplement my DCS in case I get a DCC-only 2-rail locomotive. I'm also anxiously waiting for the Proto-3 upgrade kits becoming available.

You and me both Matt, when those are available they are gonna go like hot cakes.

MTH has told me that the upgrade kits should be available by the end of the year. As far as DCC is concerned, Digitrax is the most popular of all DCC system. But O scale seems to buy NCE systems. I have the latest Digitrax system and love it. The system will depend on what you are going to do. If you are not going to take your throttles to other layouts then I would purchase the top DCC system - Digitrax - as published by Model Railroader Mag. If you are going to take your throttle to other layouts then you need to purchase what is popular with your group as throttle are not interchangeable with the systems. Lenz and the other DCC system are less than 10% of the market. Hope this helps Matt.

Stephen 

Well I run both O Scale & Large Scale with the NCE Power Pro 10R product. Tried Digitrax but it isn't capable of big power..8 amps @ 16 volts just doesn't cut it and I don't care for the throttles. NCE 10 amp @ 24 volts is the minimum for large scale..and NCE is one of the originators of DCC...think Wangrow which beats out Digitrax by about a year.

Model Railroader?? Is that rag still in business?

Chuck:

The Rag is still around. Maybe you should read it as it has a lot of info and ideas used in all scales including O. Digitrax works on O scale as several in my area use it.  Just because you don't care for something doesn't mean it's the best. I'll go with the most bought, popular and used system by experts according to the sitistics published in the rags. As far as Wangrow goes, it is in the less than 10% of all systems used as is lenz. It might be good, but I rather have Digitrax or NCE for a large support group from actual people who use the system. This is not the thread to continue DCC debate, so if you like you can start a new thread.

Stephen 

I think the system one chooses is a personal preference. I have the NCE system and I am very happy with it. I have heard good things about Digitrax but I choose NCE because of the higher amperages and I because I like the throttle better.

I don't think someone should pick a DCC system because of what everyone else uses locally. (IMHO) The user should try as many DCC systems as possible and then pick the one that they like best. They could always buy an extra throttle for a different brand if there is a group that they belong to that uses that brand.

I have two maybe three locomotives that I want to upgrade to PS 3.0. I hope it is true that these kits will be available by the end of the year. I wonder if the PS 3.0 kit will have the wireless tether or will use the old fashioned wired tether?  

That is the $64,000 dollar question. 

That helps a lot. The Free-Mo groups I've met are all using Digitrax, while I have a friend who's running NCE with his O scale group. I'm not sure how far I'm going to go with DCC at this point, but every bit of info I can get will help me make a better informed decision. Based on my experience with consisted locomotives is that I'm looking at around 7 amps to run four powered units in a freight. Passenger is the wild card because of the current drawn by lighting -- big justification for LED lighting and/or batteries for passenger cars.

I think the best advice is to go with a system that some of your buddies have.   Getting started can be confusing, and having a local set of contacts to discuss questions with it worth a lot.   It also saves a lot of hair pulling (if you have any) and reduces the blood pressure levels.   

I am lucky in that all 4 major systems are represented pretty well in my area.   At the time I got my digitrax system, it was the most reliable radio system we operated on.  The others are all good now too, and the new digitrax Duplex seems to be a little behind.   We have 3 of those locally.

As for throttles I found the Digitrax UT4 and UT4R the best for operations.   they are small, display the loco number in the pinwheels, and display the direction with the toggle switch.   they have a traditional knob for throttle control and the batteries last for ever I have a couple that have been in use for 3 years.