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An old Proto-Sound 1 engine of mine kicked the bucket back in October. Took it to a local train shop and they confirmed what I diagnosed myself; the board is dead. I've had the engine for 18 years and I gave it a custom paint job recently, so it has a lot of sentimental value to me.

Naturally, I want to fix it and (in the process) upgrade it to Proto-Sound 3. My local train store ordered the part, but now 8 months later they have still been unable to actually get the component from MTH. Being skeptical, I contacted another local train shop to see if they could get the same component to determine if the issue is at MTH's end or the shop's end. Unfortunately, store #2 got back to me saying they are also unable to get the part.

So is this a common issue people are having right now? Either due to Covid or because of MTH closing up? I'm in Canada (if that makes a difference) but historically I've never had an issue getting parts from MTH before this.

If I am truly "out of luck" trying to get the part from MTH, is there another reliable source for getting my hands on either a Proto-Sound 2 or 3 board (I really want the speed control, most of all). The board is for a Steam Engine, a Railking Hiawatha Hudson.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Last edited by VonFrank
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Late reply, but a big thanks to Bossman284. Nicholas Smith did have them and they ship internationally so I've got one of the kits on the way! 

As a follow-up, can install the board and program the sounds by myself if I have a Z4K transformer but no TIU? Or do I have to take it to my local train store and get them to do it?

@VonFrank posted:

Late reply, but a big thanks to Bossman284. Nicholas Smith did have them and they ship internationally so I've got one of the kits on the way! 

As a follow-up, can install the board and program the sounds by myself if I have a Z4K transformer but no TIU? Or do I have to take it to my local train store and get them to do it?

I would recommend having it installed. You have to have a DCS system TIU  & remote to use all the features of PS-3.  You can't program or install sound files without a TIU. Your train store should be able to do the install and programming. 

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