At the turn of the Century I purchased 3 RailKing locomotives, and about 5 years ago I placed them in storage. Now I am very concerned because I never removed any batteries. I pulled the NYC Hudson out and don't see where I would remove batteries from. The two others are the NYC Dreyfus, and then the PRR K4. And I suppose that the next thing to do is replace traction tires too, I look forward to your thoughts. Thank you. Chuck
Replies sorted oldest to newest
How about the actual product numbers of the locomotives? Only PS/1 or PS/2 used batteries, the Locosound or DCRU equipped models didn't have batteries.
Thank you gunrunner john,
Looking at the MTH boxes for each of these engines, the best I could offer would be:
In summary, I ran these engines on and off over the years, but not too much. By listening to many members about the danger of Batteries, I started to reconsider my storage practices.
I lean towards PW or MPC Lionel, have a few TMCC engines and a bunch of Pre-war tin in nice shape. These MTH engines (to me) are awfully nice, and I sure do not want to damage them in any way. Thank you for pointing me towards PS/1 and PS/2. I am older now, but not too old to learn. Thank you.
Chuck
@Chuck242 posted:Looking at the MTH boxes for each of these engines, the best I could offer would be:
- The #1361 PRR K-4s indicates Proto Sound, but no PS version number. That is followed by 30-1115-1. The box indicates it has an electronic whistle and Proto Smoke system THUS- NO BATTERY- because electronic whistle ONLY is not PS1.
- The #5445 Dreyfus box does not include mention of Proto Sound but indicates Proto-Smoke system. In the same location on the box as the PRR K4, is the number RK1113K. Instructions on page 14 of the manual covers the battery replacement info
- Finally, the #5344 NYC Hudson box shows the numbers MT-1103 and clearly says "Upgradeable to Full Digital Sound"
- So if it's not upgraded to PS1, then no battery. Again box lid says electronic digital whistle- thus likely no battery since there is no battery in that configuration.
The easier answer- when you power the engine- do you get the 2 dings indicating protosund1??
No dings- not PS1.
Example of what protosound and thus a control system with a battery with 2 dings at startup sounds like https://youtu.be/u-bZUkiVddU?s...MCH8RFLKElOA&t=5
MTH RailKing Pennsylvania 4-6-2 K4 - Item #30-1115-1
Bottom line, the batteries if they exist, would be in the tenders of these engines. Knowing that, opening the tenders, inspecting for what version you actually have and a battery present- and then making a note of that on your boxes might be a good idea. Again, the linked manuals I could find for 2 of the engines describes replacing the battery if your engine has one.
Also, if your engines were protosound and had a battery, all of these are very early MTH and likely subject to lockout and other possible issues.
I would review this topic if you find you do have a battery and thus early protosound.
https://ogrforum.com/...99#48171004107463399
Thus, I sort of hope yours are mostly digital whistle versions- and thus less headache.
The bad news, MTH parts seems to be out of a whole bunch of those PS1 chips as of today.
Great responses and good news, thank you. Time for me to start reading the links that you've provided, and the insights associated with these responses. Quite frankly, this topic has been heavy on my mind, and finally I put the question out there...and the incoming has been really nice. Thank you gentlemen.
Have a great day folks!
Chuck
Chuck,
Page 16 of the manual for 30-1115-1 describes the self-charging battery and the possible need to replace it. If the sounds stop when you turn the power off to the engine then the battery is not working.
You can find lots of discussion on this board on alternatives to the MTH white battery which seem to be universally panned.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
