PS3 Big Boy seems dead

Short answer... Delete and try adding again.....The MTC soft keys are sometime a sign of  a poor  add due to a low track signal.. Try adding on a know good track signal area with no other engines on the layout  receiving power.

• Try adding the engine using a different TIU channel
• Try adding the engine on a different spot on the layout
• Use both the Big Boy and another engine that's already added to test the DCS signal strength, while standing still, at the spot where the engine added poorly.

If the first two don't yield improved results and the other engine's DCS signal strength reading is acceptable (8-10) while the Big Boy's is not, there may be a problem with the Big Boy.

Make sure your wireless drawbar is properly seated as well

Make sure your harness that comes out of the engine and runs along the metal draw bar is fully connected to the wireless drawbar on engine side.  Also make sure it has not rubbed on the shell and had wire insulation damaged.  Also, if this has vertical connectors on the engine drawbar side, make sure the insulator on the bottom of the drawbar covers exposed solder joints and doesn't touch trail truck.   Otherwise this does sound like a DCS signal strength issue.  G

When did MTH make a PS3 Big Boy. I know there's the HO scale ones but im not sure Ive  seen a PS3 premier version yet

Must be the Imperial Big Boy

I've had two PS/3 Imperial Big Boys in for service, both had dead tender boards, and one also had a bad boiler board.  I now have another one that appears to have the same issue.  I'm beginning to think there is something about this particular locomotive that is killing the boards, though I sure can't see what it is.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I've had two PS/3 Imperial Big Boys in for service, both had dead tender boards, and one also had a bad boiler board.  I now have another one that appears to have the same issue.  I'm beginning to think there is something about this particular locomotive that is killing the boards, though I sure can't see what it is.

Read my post above, it may provide some answers.  G

I went over them with a fine-tooth comb to look for any wiring or shorting issues, none that I could find.  They returned to service with new boards, but I always wondered why that particular model keeps coming back.

Was insulator on draw bar pins?  If it slide off or over, those pins can touch trail truck in turns.   G

The insulator is there, but I see what you mean.  It could fold up and short them.  I think I'll put some heatshrink on it to make sure it can't touch.