MTH Steam Engine Upgrades

The worth is entirely up to you, typically upgrading RailKing stuff is marginal.  If you can do the upgrade yourself, it may make sense.  However, if you're looking for someone else to upgrade it, I'd look for one already with PS/2, you'll be better off.

PS2 boards are not available, but the PS3 steam upgrade kit is essentially identical.  Consider, in light of GRJ's comment above, how much money you'd have in the loco as upgraded, and whether you couldn't get a factory-new loco for about the same.  I upgraded all my non DCS locos, but they were all old Samhongsa-built MTH & Weaver stuff, which I deem to have been top quality.

RJR and GRJ,

Thanks for your input.  I think I will pass on the upgrades since I would not be doing it myself.

I think that's the right move.

My GG1 PS2 board failure required replacement boards (PS3).  That cost was just north of $300. I also do not do my own repair or upgrades; however, I have had three Kline engines upgraded to Proto2 (Hudson, Tank, and Lt Pacific) and I do not regret the extra funds (about $200 each).  I also upgraded a Reading F3 AA which was north of $700 because I wanted to retain both power units.  The sentimental factor was the prime factor because it was my first command diesel engine and was caught in the Kline bankruptcy.  I got it back not working a couple of years later when someone was cleaning out a Kline facility after the bankruptcy and it was returned.   Sometimes the sentimental value far exceeds the cost.   Whether to upgrade is based its value to you and if another cheaper alternative is available. I am still in the upgrade mode when I was able to purchase a Lionel Western Maryland shay in very good condition.  MTH has done the model; however, it had the fireball.  Lionel's shay is very close to the prototype I photographed in  Cass WV (http://clarityphotos.smugmug....s/Cass-West-Virginia) so I chose to have Engine House Hobbies put Proto 3 into the engine. Louie did a great job on the transplant and it was well worth the cost.