MTH's BR 44 2-10-0: Some details

Fex,

I would suggest, since you are [ I think ] a 2R person, that you just wait for a bit;  if you didn't know, Lenz acquired the Br44 tooling from MTH, but will be producing it after they do the E94, so it it probably 2+ years away.  Still, it would be worth the wait, in my opinion, as you'd get:

-  real DCC, with state-of-art Lenz boards

-  you'd probably pay the same or less than what these MTH ones have been selling for

-  it would have a warranty

-  it might even have an operating coupler on the tender !

Of course that's just my opinion.  YOMV.

Best regards, SZ

SZ,

I’m actually a 3R guy but have developed a love for these wonderful looking examples of European model railroading. I’m actually working for a few months here in Czech and hope to bring home a few more examples of the ETS engines. I am at a crossroads as their 3 rail can not be equipped with their sound card. I have considered having a 2R set of loops eventually to accommodate what you are suggesting. It’s a mental battle as I need to pull the trigger soon and choose 2R or 3R and get my order in. Planning to take home 3-5 engines. Let’s see.

Fex,

I am not that well informed on current ETS production, but it looks as though the latest higher end steam locos can be ordered in a 3R version [ high flange, center pickup ] with factory DCC that includes sound.  Earlier production ETS locos used their own sound system which required I believe their proprietary power supply to give the required wave form.  I think a visit to their showroom, if your schedule permits that, would give you the best solutions depending on the locos in question -- they always seemed to me to be a very customer-friendly, accommodating company.

Of course, going to 2R would give you a wider range of motive power and rolling stock from other manufacturers.  Have fun whatever you do !

Best, SZ