PS1 Locos ..."enjoyment on the cheap"

If you want PS-2 added it can be done.  Just assume $180 MSRP for the kit, plus the labor fee to install.  If you do it yourself, about $180.  G

I don't know about fun on the cheap - earlier locomotives were still expensive considering other uses that could be made from the money through savings and investment.  I enjoy the older stuff from the standpoint of simplicity and quality of manufacturing.  My QSI Hudson operates like a charm though I wish it had more pulling strength (maybe a second set of traction tires).  Eight heavyweight passenger cars will nearly slow it to a stop while they pose no bother to a Williams Hudson with 4 traction tires.

 

 

The Rail King Allegheny can move mountains.  I have run it with 50 car trains.  The "on the cheap" refers I suppose to pick up some of these models on the secondary market for half their original price and, from that standpoint, both are excellent buys!

 

 

 

 

That is exactly what it refers to...the locos at the beginning of the thread were picked up for a little more than a 1/3 of there original price...The other two on layaway are a SD-40 and SW8 switcher both mint for 200.00 combined (75.00 and 125.00)...To me these are great values ....but to the DCS and TMCC operator they are useless.

I do TMCC and most of my power is PS-1, so I don't find them useless.  I can control track power with TMCC, so running them is no issue.

I picked up a like new Premier GG-1 last year at the Dupage Train Show. Only $150.

I have a question, it may be a dumb one.... Norton posted this on page 1:

 

"...I intended to install a command system in them. Now that I have one that works I am pretty impressed. I may just leave it conventional..."

 

Are PS1 locos conventional??

Yes....They just have a pretty good sound system and have the ability to work one of the couplers (either front or back depending on were the switch is set) anywhere on the track with the horn button.

Yes, however they have features like squealing breaks, and Passenger or freight station announcements which can be triggered via transformer, bell/whistle presses or with the DCS remote. 

So they have the "sounds" but run on a variable voltage?  

Sorry, I feel like I'm hijacking this thread

Maybe I should start my own since I am/was considering buying this Premier Protosound ABA unit

Mike, They are like trainsounds engine on steriods. More sounds plus remote uncoupling.

They do require more attention than trainsounds though. Not as bulletproof as Trainsounds.

 

Pete

I think the term "conventional" means that all the features of the locomotive can be controlled by using a transformer like the old Lionel KW, ZW, etc. with only a throttle lever and direction and whistle buttons.  A PS1 loco will behave much like a 1950s vintage Lionel loco.  Use the Direction button for forward, neutral, reverse.  Use the whistle button to blow the whistle or horn.  Use the throttle to make it go slower or faster, etc.  The running sounds just start on their own as the loco moves.

 

It's a little tedious to control the other features (bell, sound volume, remote coupler, locking reverse unit in one direction, cycling through the passenger or freight yard sounds as the loco sits on the track, etc.) with an old transformer, as it has so few controls and they must be used in kind of weird ways, but with some practice you get good at it.

 

My first PS1 loco was a Rail King Western Pacific F3 AA much like the 1950s Lionel 2345 in appearance.  I had no idea that I was getting all the PS1 stuff, I just wanted a loco like the 2345 but cheaper.  Using a Lionel TW, in less than 5 minutes I thought it was great, and learned how to control all the features pretty quickly.  For the detail, quality and low cost I think you can't go wrong.

 

-NYC20

Conventional capability of controlling all  the of the locomotive functions from the transformer throttle. You have to be careful using a postwar Lionel ZW with QSI & PS1 electronic boards because of the damage the high voltage spikes can cause.

These older transformers require quick acting breakers or fuses and voltage suppression devises when powering electronic DCRU and sound boards from what I have read.

MTH produced a load of unique engines that no other O gauge company even thought about producing. I have a few proto 1 engines that I bought at the right price and installed a BCR in each.

How about a Coal Turbine for $300?

How about a scale N & W J for $200?

I'm not selling these but these are examples of what is out there in proto one engines. Both have BCR's and run great conventionally with a cab-1 and a TPC. I'm a happy camper with some of the finest pieces out there that are quite unique like the coal turbine-really a cool Union Pacific engine or better yet, monster!

When Mike first started MTH he produced great engines in a variety and scale that Lionel didn't even dream of at that time. They looked great and ran great in their day. IMO, they still look pretty good and run great conventionally. 

 

There's something that's a lot of fun (with a dash of nostalgia) when you're running a PS1 engine and passenger cars with silhouettes, using a modern transformer that looks like an old ZW but has the protection you need when you're running command. Talk about having the best of both worlds!

 

Great engines and now great bargains. And you can upgrade them if you want.

 

Gerry