MTH: Why no parts list?

Alex, if there is more than one engine road name, the highlighted gear may be on one of those. So when you open it, it shows more than one engine number. This may not be the answer in your case but that is what I do when searching for diagrams.

Don,

I see what you mean, but as far as I can find, there were only one one road name and cab number for each of these two MTH engines:
• 20-3321-1, 4-6-4 J1e > NYC #5324
• 20-3250-1, 4-8-4 T1 > Blue Mountain & Reading #2102

Oh well, we tried!

Thx!

Alex

Go to the MTH home site.
Click on the Service Tab
then click on Parts Tab

When you are in the parts page, scroll to the very bottom of the page and you will see "Dealer Login" or All Other. Click on All other. (Unless you are a Dealer)

It will then ask if you to "Login" or "First Time", Click on "First Time" (Unless you have signed up before)

This will guide you to ordering the part you need if there is no part #

Hope this helps, Joe

Alex, I agree but if you type, for example, Hudson, you may see similar engines that have the same parts.

Ingeniero No1,

I've had very little luck myself finding needed parts via the MTH website. I recommend you contact Dean Brasseur at: www.traindoctor.com. Give him your engine number and a description of the part you need. He usually responds within a day or two with the correct part number, price, and availability.

The Brasseur Electric Trains website also posts their repair parts inventory from all the major train makers.

I've had nothing but positive experiences with Brasseur Trains. Very good people.

Nothing against the train doctor but why not contact Midge at MTH? She is the parts lady there.

Unfortunately all parts diagrams are not loaded onto the web site, or linked when engines have common parts. You may also find an active parts list with pictures and item number, but no part number.

MTH has a method to send an e-mail, or call Midge to identify the part.

The good news is that in most cases the parts are available, and MTH has not placed a limited period for parts support.

Now if you go to your MTH dealer, they have a RK parts book for rapid identification, and have additional resources to help with identifying a part.

This is probably an issue of time and manpower resources creating and posting the information. Think about it, everyone can go direct to MTH consuming the handful of workers answering questions and filling out parts orders. If those folks were funneled through dealers, then the dealers who have stock on hand, the information, or could order electronically, then the handful of workers at MTH would have more time to do additional duties building the website, documenting parts, and all the other required functions to ensure the warehouse of parts has continuity.

Lionel has had the same issue with trains without parts diagrams, etc... G

quote:

Originally posted by dvbull:
Ingeniero No1,

I've had very little luck myself finding needed parts via the MTH website. I recommend you contact Dean Brasseur at: www.traindoctor.com. Give him your engine number and a description of the part you need. He usually responds within a day or two with the correct part number, price, and availability.

The Brasseur Electric Trains website also posts their repair parts inventory from all the major train makers.

I've had nothing but positive experiences with Brasseur Trains. Very good people.

Alex,
I agree that Brasseur is a great source for parts. Just call them or e-mail him what you need...they have helped me many a time.

As part of their revamping of their web presence, MTH will be updating their web site. My last conversation with MTH indicated the middle of November as a roll out date, maybe Mike can chime in since it's his companies project. I was told by MTH it will have all the exploded diagrams for all their engines. What I am not sure of, only because I didn't specifically ask, if it will be in the technician area or access will be for everyone.

Guys,
Thanks for the suggestions to get MTH spare parts!

This time I lucked out and "Train Doctor" Luke came to the rescue. I expect to be receiving the parts I needed, and more (motors, impellers, gaskets, wicks) shortly.

dvbull, Roger
While reading your threads I thought that I was getting the parts from your suggested supplier, but the "Train Doctor" from whom I ordered is not the TrainDoctor you recommended.

Believe it or not, after three plus years and over 20 MTH engines, numerous operating cars and accessories, I have not had to contact MTH or anyone for any quality problems. Early on, I had to return an F3 ABA set (my first O-Gauge acquisition!) that quit running after 10 hours or so. But that was back in the Jimmy Sutter days, and he took care of the whole thing at $0 cost to me.

Thanks!

Alex

quote:

Originally posted by VaGolfer1950:
As part of their revamping of their web presence, MTH will be updating their web site. My last conversation with MTH indicated the middle of November as a roll out date, maybe Mike can chime in since it's his companies project. I was told by MTH it will have all the exploded diagrams for all their engines.

Ok so we are updating portions of the site. However, I would look for Exploded parts views to begin appearing on the product pages gradually over time.

hello VaGolfer1950.....
i SURE wished that i could get a part listing diagram for my railking challenger #30-1418-1. I would like to buy SPARE parts such as motors, front and rear engine frames with drivers siderods and motor mounts for my challenger.
the woman who loves toy trains
Tiffany

Search 30-1188 and see if similiar. Can call Midge to confirm if CHallenger parts were consistent. G

They have not done it yet, and it's Sept of 2014. If they have let me know, may be i'm doing something wrong.

Midge is the online schematic and parts list.  The main side rods on my 2008 ATSF Northern began to lose their blackening, it was scaling off.  I found that no parts list exists online for the ATSF Northern.  Had to email and call Midge. It is cumbersome especially when you need to use a credit card. I don't like emailing my credit card info.  Once it is in email it is prone to hacking and stealing of info. Had to wait for a call from Midge to give her the credit card info.  If it was not for Midge MTH would not have any customer service when it comes to buying parts.  Midge called me at 6pm on a Friday.  That was service.  Midge needs a life though.  Who calls customers on Friday night to take parts orders???  Friday night is dinner out and date night.

It's sad that she is the only one that takes care of online parts. She can only do so much, come on MTH, hire some people. This Lady deserves a break.

When I do find an item where the parts icon is not grayed out and I can get an exploded diagram I still don't see actual MTH part numbers. Rather all I see is a reference number to a description of the part. ie part #17 smoke unit rather than AE 00000xx which is what you need to know to actually order the part. Hopefully the new website will have actual part numbers along with their description.

Half the time I end up repairing my MTH engines with a Lionel, Weaver, or Precision Scale part or fabricating them myself.

 

Pete