MTH R42 Issue

Is this PS-1 or PS-2?  PS-1 would be easy to repair or provide new boards.  PS-2 can also be repaired, but may be more costly.  Really can't help with out specific info.  G

I believe it's proto 1. I will email the seller and ask.

It can be as easy as a new battery and reset, to a repair of some diodes or traces on the bottom board.  A conversion to PS-2 would be the cost of a kit if you do it.  G

I did confirm its a ps1 set. How much is a ps2 board and can I do it myself.

If you're a member of the MTH RR Club, the PS/2 upgrade kit is $150, normal retail is $180.  As for the ability of doing it yourself, that depends on your skills, it's hard to answer that question.

 

It's not just a board, you'll be doing a bit of wiring and mechanical stuff to install the PS/2 kit. 

Installing a PS2 upgrade kit involves gutting the engine, and replaacing all of the electronics, wiring, lighting, speaker, and battery.

That's quite an investment. If I get the whole set for $125, plus the $180 for the board. Now I'm at $305. Not including the installers price. Might as well buy a brand new one for $350.

It's frequently not cost effective to upgrade as opposed to buying complete.  Where it makes sense is when you have an engine or set that is not available in a finished form, or one that has special meaning to you.

Yea I guess your right. It's not really worth it.

So offer him $50.  It is not a post war Lionel and since it has toasted boards and is a conventional engine, he can't expect to get top $$.  All he can say is no.  Either way it does become a project.  I would say you should stay away from it though.  Started out with bad motor (one) and then went to toasted board.  So it could have both wrong.  Hence why it is only really worth salvage $$.  G

The R42's are butt ugly  Undersized and less detail than all the later subways.  For 305 you can find a 4 car set of most Railking subways with PS2 

 

Heres a 4 car LoV set for 249.95

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MTH-30-2448-1-RED-LO-V-4-CAR-SUBWAY-SET-W-PROTO-SOUND-/161026051550?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item257de68dde

The only reason I wanted the r42 is to kin of modify it to Look like the SIRT. I know they run R44 series subway cars but I think with some decal swapping I can get it done.