MTH Wheel Descriptions?

Proto-Scale 3-2 is not a description of the wheels.  It is a feature where the trucks can be taken apart and the 3-rail or 2-rail wheel sets (whatever the engine came with) can be swapped for the other.  MTH sells the 3-rail and 2-rail wheel sets separately so this can be accomplished. 

For steamers, the wheels do not change, but you can add rollers or take them away when you want to run a 3-rail engine on 2-rail track or vice versa.

Also note that you have to flip a switch that tells any engine with this feature what type of environment it is going to run in (2-rail or 3-rail).

 I thought that was just the convertable truck description. Same sized wheels, just they can be switched out as the trucks have removeable bottoms. 3(Hi-rail)-(or) 2(rail)scale.  Joe

Are the flanges then smaller than what are typically found on Hi-Rail wheels? Hard to imagine Hi Rail wheels making it through two rail switches.

Pete

Actually for Proto-Scale 3-2 all you have to do is remove the rollers and flip the switch from 3R to 2R.  Oh and for 2R DC set polarity.  And back to 3-rail by adding back the rollers and flipping switch from 2R to 3R.  Proto-Scale 3-2 can be purchased as either Hi-Rail or Scale Wheels.  There are no wheels to change.

Now MTH does offer Diesel wheel conversion sets to change from Hi-Rail to Scale wheels and Scale to Hi-Rail wheels.  And these are Proto-Scale 3-2 compatible.

So someone has to specify wheel type when ordering? The reason for the original question is that many of the newest engines are simply listed as Proto Scale 3-2 with a single part number. In the past there was a number for Hi-Rail Wheels and another for the Scale Wheel version.

Here is an example:

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/20-3411-1

How do I know what type of wheels this set comes with?

Pete

Don't overlook the fact that the 2-Rail scale model diesels, when available, come with fixed pilots and full length vertical hand rails. Thus, what a lot of the 3RS modelers are doing is to purchase the 2-Rail, Scale Wheel, version, then simply change out the scale wheel sets and replace them with the "hi-rail" wheel sets. Then mount the correct Kadee couplers, and you have a MUCH moor scale looking diesel model.

The newest MTH FM Train Master models are prime examples.

Hi all,

So someone has to specify wheel type when ordering?

No, there no special ordering procedure.  Just as before, if you want hi-rail wheels you order the "-1" version and if you want scale wheels you order "-2."  Some diesel engines are only available in the hi-rail version because the tooling doesn't exist for a fixed pilot.  The hi-rail version is still proto 3-2 and can be outfitted with scale wheels if desired.

Thanks Dave. That solves the mystery for me. I didn't see anywhere in the description that a -1 or -2 determined the wheel type.

My two MTH engines were produced many years before Scale wheels were even on option.

Pete