MTH Ready to Run Catalog On-line

The CP holiday train will be a big hit as well the wifi ready to run sets for many taking the plunge!

Love the CP holiday sets! 

The catalog looks like a hit to me. Saw quite a few interesting things in there that I might be getting. MTH seems to have my number. Very nice catalog.

SJC posted:

MTH posted the Ready to Run Catalog on their website - www.mthtrains.com

Some thoughts:

All train sets appear to come with a WiFi unit only......what if you don't have a smart phone? Are you SOL?

Seriously cool - that Canadian Christmas train!

Nice variety, new cars, new paint schemes. Lots of new things. Much better than in recent years.

Like the Vets/First Responders cars and sets.

The Christmas light trains and accessories should be big hits. I have two of the houses and they are great!

Also interesting to see several items from the last signature catalog in the back - engines and rolling stock. It will be interesting to see if the April catalog coming in a few weeks will feature a Railking section nearly identical to the RTR catalog.

Agree with all your points and I believe MTH is pushing two ways. To get new people in the hobby a quick solution and more technology savvy way to run the trains in the RTR set. As well as possibility push legacy MTH users to move to the Wifi unit. I do however feel that MTH has put themselves in a tough spot related to the DCS Full System remote not being expandable in its functional options. In that aspect I believe Lionel took the lead in making sure their remote would take on some future proof needs.

This catalog by far shows that my emails through their website on the feedback area were surely not a waste. It shows through every single page I turned. The added detail to the info shared throughout the catalog was a must and made the flow of the catalog quite nice.

I hope as well that we see MTH 2017 Volume 2 catalog coming soon .

Would like to ask was it just me or did I see some already weathered rolling stock?

Also the New paint schemes and variety is awesome. 

For once, we have a somewhat fresh catalog. The retooled RTR sets look great. Did anyone else notice that on the back cover of the catalog, they had the front cover of the new 2017 catalog on there? 

The CP holiday train is definitely interesting. 

MND8814 posted:

I do however feel that MTH has put themselves in a tough spot related to the DCS Full System remote not being expandable in its functional options. In that aspect I believe Lionel took the lead in making sure their remote would take on some future proof needs. 

How is the MTH DCS system not expandable? Can they not add more soft keys or whatever those are calls? Maybe I am not understanding? I know the DCS remote is lacking the 'set' key or something like that which the TMCC stuff needs? I guess they are stuck with the 'fixed' keys.

Also, I was thinking the new MTH apps were possibly going to add things that the remote does not have, but I never quite understood what that might be? Legacy is basically TMCC 2 so Lionel had a chance to add things not in the first TMCC system. Maybe the Apps will do that for MTH?

Unfortunately, I still like the remotes better for both systems. Must be the old dogs and new tricks thing?

That CP  Christmas train looks fantastic! That should be a huge hit, especially for club layout and seasonal displays. 

hummmm,no tinplate stater set,suprised at all the imperial engines,like others ,shape xmas Canadian set

If they get these items in the store before Christmas they should do very well.

I like the PRR "Altoona works" fire truck and the lighted billboards for Mel's diner and "Buy War Bonds" with the little girl.

Kinda surprised at no tinplate.

Very stoked to learn about this new dcs element , this looks perfect for public displays and small setups like the track at my office.

The cp and Christmas diesels look great.

I also like the polar express colored structures.

I like as a young hobbyist that Lionel and MTH are incorporating new technology into model trains. I think running trains with apps is a great way to get kids interested in model trains. I'm hoping to incorporate DCS into my layout soon and recently bought a lionchief set (Rio Grande Switcher set) I find the remote control intuitive and fun and like not being stuck at a control panel. I really like the Amtrak, Pennsy, and Southern Pacific sets in this catalog.

I wonder how close the colors of the the North Pole line of rolling stock and buildings match to Lionel's Polar Railroad and Polar Express.  Clearly these are intended to match with Lionel, but I am wondering just how close the colors actually are.

That CP Holiday train is going to be a massive hit for them.  Will be quite the showstopper on Christmas layouts for sure.  The other lighted Christmas rolling stock and bridges are also very nice.

At some point I will probably think the lights MTH is adding everywhere is a bit overdone, but for now, I think it's a great idea that adds a lot of interest to fantasy layouts.

Just to clarify, a wifi enabled smart phone or tablet is required to make the set usable?  No built-in alternatives?  While I realize these devices are very, very common, what if you don't want to hand your $700 smartphone or $300 tablet to your four year old to play with? Seriously, actually.

Give them your $600 iPhone 6 that is outdated and no longer used since you updated to an iPhone 7 when they came out?  

I was going to say iTouch, but I think they are about the same price as an iPad?

That's a reasonable point.  Most folks have an old smartphone sitting around.  But since it's not connected to the cell network, you cannot download the app, right?

In looking at the catalog, I believe those without a smartphone or tablet to hand over to their kiddie playmates will have to spring for the remote commander at an additional $60 MSRP, yes? Or a Z1000 or DCS?  Maybe I'm overthinking this, but it seems you would want everything needed in the box when you are asking $400+ for a set.

Am I understanding that with the wifi and apps you will be able to add and control multiple trains if you have multiple smart phones you can control multiple trains?

Great catalog! I love the CP Holiday Train!! I think MTH has made a great move with the RTR wifi module.

Landsteiner posted:

Just to clarify, a wifi enabled smart phone or tablet is required to make the set usable?  No built-in alternatives?  While I realize these devices are very, very common, what if you don't want to hand your $700 smartphone or $300 tablet to your four year old to play with? Seriously, actually.

No that is not the only way to make the set usable if you are not new to the hobby. The engine has regular DCS control and can be run conventionally. Just take out the constant voltage transformer and connect an older transformer you have laying around. Its one solution to the problem. I am not sure if these sets are ideal to bring people into the hobby or not, we will see as time goes. 

" Just take out the constant voltage transformer and connect an older transformer you have laying around. Problem solved. "

Thanks, I now get that.  I'm thinking of the beginner in the hobby, who wants a train to use around the Christmas tree or for a child or grandchild, who has no equipment on hand.  You go into the shop and are told you are buying a set, and, if you don't have a spare smartphone or tablet, you need additional equipment.  I think that may be a deal breaker for some purchasers, especially amongst the grandparent set.  Many of them do not have smartphones or tablets for one thing.

You can get the MTH app for android. You can buy a Kindle fire for $39 (among other cheap android tablets) and use it to run a train. The need for a device is a non-issue.

"The need for a device is a non-issue."

Unless you are the kind of customer who wants everything you need in the box and no additional costs.  As a dealer I would think that could be a potential issue,  or two for sure for some customers. I'd be interested in how dealers perceive this approach.  It deviates from the "everything you need is in the box" approach that has been the rule for about 70 years.

Landsteiner posted:

"The need for a device is a non-issue."

Unless you are the kind of customer who wants everything you need in the box and no additional costs.  As a dealer I would think that could be a potential issue,  or two for sure for some customers. I'd be interested in how dealers perceive this approach.  It deviates from the "everything you need is in the box" approach that has been the rule for about 70 years.

Yes, see what the dealer thinks as the customer pulls out the very device you need to run the train and price shops it on the internet mid-aisle. I suspect it's more the rule than the exception that anyone looking to buy their child a $300 train set is already in possession of one or more smart devices needed to run it. 

A dealer who's with the times would be wise to insure that the set leaves the store in that guy's trunk, with the app installed on his phone before he walks out. 

They're not gonna be able to make enough of those CP Holiday Trains!!!  MTH could have made a special brochure with just that page-spread, and stopped right there!!!   

That's gonna be an instant SUCCESS. 

David

I believe you are able to control multiple trains with the app using only one device.  You don't need a cellular network to download the app, you can download it via a wired or wireless network, depending on your device.  For the past Christmas, my wife bought two RCA tablets for our twin daughters, $99.99 ea. at Wal.... , in January, without us know why, we were refunded $199.98.  Our daughters use them to watch YouTube, play games, read and send email, even do some of their homework on them, and yes, security features are enabled.  I'm going to running trains on them soon, and the tables are PINK!

LOL.

As for the CP Christmas train, Yeah Baby!, but the prices...for those prices, do it in Premier!!!!

It is my humble opinion that MTH is heading in the right direction with this catalog, at least for entry level RTR.   It has raise my curiosity and anticipation for the MTH 2017 Volume 2 catalog a little more.

However, I don't get one small part or maybe my understanding of what a transformer is may be incorrect.  On page 3, the set contents are described containing the wifi unit which has a power supply of 75 watts, as far as I can tell .  It appears that the connection from the PS to the wifi unit is the same as the other MTH RTR PS and how they connect to the z1000 or z750 transformer controller. However, it states if you want to run conventional, you would need to buy a traditional transformer.  Wouldn't you just need to buy the transformer controller and then use the 75 power supply that comes with the set?  Specifically, you would buy the 40-750C versus either the 40-200 or 40-300? 

I don't like the idea of giving a mini Wifi commander to give to a kid. The thing that concerns me is you can tap to the desired speed and the kid can run it off the tracks in an instant. What about the thought of if you live in a household with no tablet or smart phone to use? You just waisted 300+ dollars on a train set.

This catalog wasn't great like they usually are so I'm hoping the volume 2 is promising

SDIV Tim posted:

 The thing that concerns me is you can tap to the desired speed and the kid can run it off the tracks in an instant. What about the thought of if you live in a household with no tablet or smart phone to use? You just waisted 300+ dollars on a train set.

This catalog wasn't great like they usually are so I'm hoping the volume 2 is promising

Just like they can with any transformer.  Also, these days 10 year olds have smart phones!  Or as Boilermaker said, you can buy very low cost devices that can connect to WiFi.

I'm going to take a stab at the question...  

The DCS system is a digital control system.  On the engines, a computer or digital hardware directly controls the DC can motors that ultimately make the wheels go around.   Their computer probably does this using well established "PWM" DC motor control techniques. (ask google" "PWM DC motor control" for more info)  

The computer on the engine controls the amount of power to the can motors because the TIU sends it speed commands.

The TIU sends it speed commands because the operator pushes a speed button on a remote control device -- "go faster" -- which the TIU receives and then encodes onto the track.  The engine reads these track encoded signals, decodes it and responds accordingly.  ("go faster" nets more power to the can motors because the engine computer says so)

But the power on the track in the DCS system is constant...   Given all that, that wifi-tiu device will output or try to output a constant power to the track based on its power supply.

In comparison, in the old "analog" system the transformer power is variable -- the DC motors in the engine are controlled more directly by varying track power through manipulation of the transformer's output itself.  There is no digital control of can motors in this system.

Thus if you want to run conventional -- a traditional transformer would be the ticket.   And unless the digital control box (that is a wifi-tiu here) allows some sort of pass through power mode and accepts a traditional transformer as input and output...

It would make sense to just not use it... and hook the transformer to the track directly for conventional mode operation.

This catalog is the best Ready to Run catalog ever! I'm not even sure I need the Premier offerings with all the great stuff here.
Must Haves.
1) First Responders Baggage Car

2)CP Holiday Train

3)Smoking tank Halloween car

4) New Halloween Boxcars

5)Operating Water Tower with sounds

There's lots more in there.

Scott Smith

I looked at it again last night.

I have no idea what I'm going to do with another building on my layout but....

I have GOT to get the "Schitz Plumbing" building.

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

They're not gonna be able to make enough of those CP Holiday Trains!!!  MTH could have made a special brochure with just that page-spread, and stopped right there!!!   

That's gonna be an instant SUCCESS. 

David

I agree with David. There are very few "must have" train items for me these days, but that CP Christmas set is definitely going to be pre-ordered today. I imagine that particular set will sell VERY well.

It looks like they know what the Amtrak phase IV color blue should look like (on the cover).

I just wonder if they'll deliver it?

     I am simply happy to have a good looking traditional Christmas car again, and a 2-8-0 to go with... I just wonder if it will pull the whole traditional Christmas car series.

Ok, I am also liking the CP train, but not cancelling my el wire/el panel order until I see the MTH train in action.

I think the mini wifi unit is brilliant. It uses mostly existing tech with some new hardware, is fully backwards and forwards compatible wit all other MTH equipment and its gotta be pretty cheap. Kids today are constantly looking at their phones, now they can run trains while texting their friends

Did anyone else notice the CP Christmas Train is a Railking Scale offering?

Scott Smith

scott.smith posted:

Did anyone else notice the CP Christmas Train is a Railking Scale offering?

Scott Smith

Yep, thats the best part. I think I'm in for one. Love all the cool LED lights. 

Scott, yes I noticed. I also noticed for the first time in years, that none of the diesel locos in the starter sets are listed as being "Imperial" or "Railking Scale." From the illustrations in comparison to the rolling stock, it appears these engines are from the older Railking/Rugged Rails dies, which I think is a good move. I've seen those Imperial locos on 031 curves... Yes, they do negotiate that curve, but look pretty ridiculous doing so.

I agree, I think this is a nice catalog with some nice product offerings. And wow, lots of structures and buildings. Concerning the new WiFi sets, if as others above have said, you can run these with a normal transformer, MTH would do good to make mention of this as just another advantage of their starter sets. More options opens the doors to more customers: Your choice, old school or new school operation.

I really like what Boilermaker1 wrote:"A dealer who's with the times would be wise to insure that the set leaves the store in that guy's trunk, with the app installed on his phone before he walks out." That is good advice and smart salesmanship for any MTH dealer. Especially for the smaller dealer who might not have the price advantage... here's an angle to make up for it with service.

Landsteiner posted:

That's a reasonable point.  Most folks have an old smartphone sitting around.  But since it's not connected to the cell network, you cannot download the app, right?

In looking at the catalog, I believe those without a smartphone or tablet to hand over to their kiddie playmates will have to spring for the remote commander at an additional $60 MSRP, yes? Or a Z1000 or DCS?  Maybe I'm overthinking this, but it seems you would want everything needed in the box when you are asking $400+ for a set.

I believe the wifi will still work on the older phones and you can get the app that way. That's how I got mine on my iPad. (Personally, I still prefer the DCS remote though.) I'll have to ask my daughter, son-in-law or grand kids to be sure on the old phones though? I still have an old flip phone. I guess that's an old dogs and new tricks thing... 

My guess is MTH is betting most folks will have some kind of device that will run the apps. Or if they don't have one they will have one in the near future. If you don't have a smart device I am not sure what you would get unless they still offer the older sets with the Remote Commander? My LHS still has some of the older sets with the RC and Z500 or whatever they had included. If not I guess you would have to make another purchase or go with a different set?

brianel_k-lineguy posted:

Concerning the new WiFi sets, if as others above have said, you can run these with a normal transformer, MTH would do good to make mention of this as just another advantage of their starter sets.

They have the same DCS system as the any other MTH engine or set has had. Internally the train is the same, being able to be controlled either conventionally or with a remote (and now your phone) is a DCS feature not specific to these sets. When was the last time MTH put a variable output transformer in their sets? They have been throwing in a DCS remote commander instead for a few catalogs now.  http://mthtrains.com/50-1033

I agree it would have been smart for MTH to make this more clear, but that is also true for previous catalogs also.