MTH PS-1 versus PS-2 in a diesel locomotive

The difference is pretty big in my opinion. With PS2 you are able to drop in any sound set you like, and you get speed control in addition to DCS compatibility. Speed control means that the train will maintain a constant speed regardless of grade. That can be turned off for pure conventional operation with locomotives not equipped, but is a great feature to have.

GenesisFan99,  Thanks for your input.  I should have stated in my posting that "currently" I am only running conventional.  In the future who knows?  Jeff

Conventionally, cruise control is the biggest advantage, that and the quality of the sound is much improved, no 3 clanks of death, etc...

Then there’s also the command control functionality...

i would stay away for MTH PS-1 best for your situation would be to convert the PS-1 to conventional operation. 

best for your situation would be to convert the PS-1 to conventional operation. 

FYI, PS1 already is conventional operation.

Stay away from PS1, I can't say it enough.

Dave

The sounds are a lot more prototypical in PS2 and I think there's something with the bell where you can't sound it in neutral with PS1. There's no restrictions with PS2. Another big thing is you have control of marker lights and ditch lights flash. I know Lehigh Valley likely never had any diesels with ditch lights, but the feature is there. 

If you get a good deal on a PS1 engine, you can upgrade it to PS3 for $200. This is a big job and means stripping a lot of things off the locomotive, but that way you get LEDs. You also don't have to deal with the stupid battery, as PS3 uses supercapacitors. The other option is just upgrading to PS2, which isn't as much work. You can keep the PS1 motors and most other things, including that battery.

What is the price to upgrade PS-1 to PS-2?

Jeff Noll posted:

What is the price to upgrade PS-1 to PS-2?

I believe it's $200 as well. That doesn't include MTH's shipping price and would be the price if you did all the work yourself. There's some DCS techs on the forum here that would probably be able to perform the upgrade for a fair price if you don't want to do it yourself.

Since my club currently doesn't use the MTH DCS system I am happy highballing as a strictly passenger train operator in conventional.  I run MTH PS-1, 2, or 3 locomotives and some Weaver E-8's.   The only functions I access via the MTH Z-4000 are the bell and whistle for those functions and to either activate the PSA or disable the speed control on my PS-2.0 and PS3.0 locomotives.

GenesisFan99 posted:

Jeff Noll posted:

What is the price to upgrade PS-1 to PS-2?

I believe it's $200 as well. That doesn't include MTH's shipping price and would be the price if you did all the work yourself. There's some DCS techs on the forum here that would probably be able to perform the upgrade for a fair price if you don't want to do it yourself.

PS/2 upgrade kits are no longer available, if you want to do an upgrade now, it's PS/3.

PS-1 work fine.  Obviously you already have some in steam and know how to use them.  Diesel have directional lights, usually added markers and such off a CV board.  Can fire the couplers via a switch.

PS-2 gives you more conventional control with turning cruise on and off, locking in a direction while operating, and remote firing of either coupler.  Plus all the other stuff mentioned.  G

Thanks for the correction GRJ. It makes more sense to upgrade to PS3 anyway, with all the LEDs and better features.

GenesisFan99 posted:

I think there's something with the bell where you can't sound it in neutral with PS1.

This is not true.  You can ring the bell in neutral just fine.  If you own PS-1 steamers, the diesels are just the same.  IMHO PS-1 locomotives are great locomotives.  Sure, PS-2 will give you a little more control, plus be able to run in command if you ever go that way, but I have found PS-1s are great value for conventional operators.  In fact I think they run better then Legacy locomotives in conventional.  The only thing is be sure to put a BCR in them before you run them for the 1st time.

I have diesel, steam , and electric PS-1 locomotives and love them all.

I have several PS-1 locomotives that I like a lot and have been running (only in conventional, of course) for more than fifteen years. They have been trouble free and low maintenance. When well broken-in, they run smoothly at low speeds, even without speed control. I just turn them on and let them run. For me, the sounds and "features" are satisfactory, and installing a BCR eliminates concerns about the battery. And, as mentioned by GRJ, they can be upgraded to PS-3.

MELGAR

MTH has always had pretty good quality, but a lot of the PS1 locomotives are of a level of quality we haven't seen in a long time from them. Some lack the details we now see on later locomotives, but they were built like tanks to last. I used to have a GM&O GP40 from 1997, one of the best running Premier locomotives I've ever had. It pulled even better than it was made. Regret selling it, I picked it up used for $100 at my LHS.

PS2 by default has Cruise control, which doesn't play well with PS1 or other conventionally controlled locos.

It's a Pain in the a** to shut it off.  Two bells and a horn or something like that?

SPSF posted:

PS2 by default has Cruise control, which doesn't play well with PS1 or other conventionally controlled locos.

It's a Pain in the a** to shut it off.  Two bells and a horn or something like that?

It's only a pain if you don't read the manual.

GenesisFan99 posted:

SPSF posted:

PS2 by default has Cruise control, which doesn't play well with PS1 or other conventionally controlled locos.

It's a Pain in the a** to shut it off.  Two bells and a horn or something like that?

It's only a pain if you don't read the manual.

...or use a ZW