In the secondary or re-sale market, are you gentlemen seeing PS2 locomotives becoming less desirable and, therefore, less expensive (because they are PS2 locomotives)?
Thanks for any kind responses.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
PS/2 locomotives that have been reissued with PS/3 have taken a hit, but nothing like the difference between Protosound 1 and PS/2. Common PS/2 locomotives that have not yet been reissued have dropped a little bit; if a PS/2 engine is hard to find and in demand, it probably will not lose any value due to the lack of PS/3. Note, however, that there is a difference between PS/2 engines with 5-volt boards and 3-volt boards. A lot of us are avoiding the older 5-volt PS/2 (with the 9v battery) unless the price is really attractive, because the boards are not easily repairable and new replacements are not available. Upgrading a 5v engine with a blown board to a 3v system is possible, but expensive.
The only advantage PS3 has over PS2 in my opinion is no battery to charge or replace.
Overall I'm disappointed with the sound volume on my PS3 GE engines. I've been back and forth with the MTH techs for a remedy to no avail, i.e., revised sound file downloads, new speakers, etc. Admittedly there is a sound volume problem with the early GE engine sound files with no apparent fix in sight. However, the newer ES44AC GEVOs will blow you away. Go figure. I still like the rumble of a PS2 GE.
Actually, a lot of PS/3 engines seem to be short on sound volume. One of the things I like about PS/2 is that there's plenty of volume available if you're running in a large-layout, many-train environment. PS/3 generally has somewhat better sound quality, but few of my PS/3 locomotives can "crank it up to 11" the way the PS/2 units can.
First, I don't think PS-2 is taking much of a hit on used prices because of PS-3. I have no seen any affect on prices beyond what I would have expected had MTH just come out with new PS-2 models like the old ones, but offering new again. Frankly PS-3 just isn't any big deal compared to PS-2, as far as I can see, and I think the market recognizes that.
Second, as to the sound volume not being enough - in my experience yes and no. I have six PS-3 steamers and its like they are two totally different product lines. Three are small: an RK 0-6-0, the Premier 999 Atlantic, and their jewel-like little Premier 2-8-0. These are all "volume challenged:" I have them all set to full volume and it's either just barely or not quite enough. All three locos are small, with tiny tenders that must limit them to small speakers and such. That might have something to do with it.
I also have three of the recently-released ATSF 3460 Hudsons, a very large loco with a monster tender (altogether much bigger than a Vision Hudson, etc.). Sound volume is one thing this loco has plenty of . . . . Sound quality is not equal to the best recent Legacy - in fact it is noticeably short of that to the point that several friends have told me they just can't seeing buying - but it's okay with me - not too dynamic maybe, and not as variable or deep, but certainly LOUD. I have all three set to about 75% volume.
I am also looking forward (forever it seems) to the Ps-3 Premier S-1, which was scheduled to be released today, ironically. It is a monster, and so if size does matter, this ought to be one loco that can make no excuses . . .
As long as it's the 3V PS/2 board, I have no issues buying PS/2 stuff.
How do you know when you have the 3V PS2 board?
Wait, wait...it's on the front of the owner's manual...for one.
Look at the charger port. The port for the 9v battery (5v board) is concentric. The 3v charger port has two separate connector posts. Some very early PS/2 engines didn't have a charger port - those would all have the 5v boards.
PS2's are actually a little more desirable for me in steam. Especially in the later models because I covet that big cable over the wireless draw bar. I have two PS3's. One where the drawbar connection has been bullet-proof so far and another where it works loose sooner or later and has to be reseated. Recently got a very interesting steamer on eBay. It was reported as new and is actually new! And as PS2's go it must have been right before PS3's. Lights, sound, firebox glow and detail are all very PS3-like. Was very surprised at the price I got it for as well.
To your original post, I agree with the others. I'm always hunting for PS2 bargains but rarely find them. Plus PS2 prices vary widely. PS3's always seem a little closer to MSRP.
