Should I Buy - MTH Premier Southern F3 ABA

As a Southern fan my comments are understandably biased. I like almost all Southern diesels and steam too. You can't have to many of 'em!

You mentioned pulling freight but this was primarily a passenger engine. Value is how you yourself will perceive it. Thinking ahead to upgrading id a good idea but most here have found that the total cost of upgrading many of these older engines can be actually higher that buying a TMCC/DCS engine used. The cost of a conversion can vary widely depending on who does the installation. With a PS2 kit selling at $180 you should realize that you can often buy a complete PS2 engine for the same or even less.

Personally, I would only buy them if you planned to keep them conventional and be on the lookout for a used PS2 engine.

I know, Sam.  I considered the one you were selling for a little bit, but this other set... I think is absolutely beautiful.. and I don't usually use that word.

Well Mike I'm like Sam Biased and hunt Southern. I don't know exactly what you mean be decent price. I looked on the BAY and a new one is up for 399 plus 39 shipping and it has me really thinking. I like them (PS1's), but that's IMHO.

Larry

Cheaper than that Larry!  Its not new though so that probably makes a difference.  

What are your guys thoughts on a PS1 though?  Is it worth it?

A. Sounds like you have that one covered.

B. Non Issue - we don't need any of these things - all for enjoyment only.

C. Only one way to find out (you know where this one is going). If you really like it, I think you will like the looks of it no matter where it is running or what it's pulling.

D. I think you can get PS2 upgrade kits for about $150 if you join the MTH RR Club, think they are around $180 otherwise, may have gone up this year, haven't looked lately. Edit: prices are still good according to MTH website. just checked.

Never done a PS2 conversion, but many here on the forum have. Lots of experts to ask if you decide to convert yourself. Was thinking I saw somewhere here on the forum that you could have one converted for around $250. Some folks seem to like the PS1's as is.

I'm a Southern and Southern Crescent fanatic....love them all!  But would pass on any of the PS1.  Unless they are giving it away and don't mind conventional (not worth converting IMO), I'd wait for a decent 2.0       p.s. I bought a sweet Southern E-6 ABA Diesel Set PS2 back last December.  God, love Southern!

I brought the same F3 off EBAY a few years ago. So for me I didn't care about them having PS1 since I already have a few older PS1 locomotives anyway.

For one thing I know the person that added the stations sounds announcements to those F3's. Plus I wanted a set of Southern Passengers F3 to add to my rosters.

Last was the price since I was able to get them for less than $250.

They look right at home with my Southern Williams E7,Atlas O F3, and Lionel E6.

rtr,

Thanks for your reply.  The conversion would definitely add a cost that Im not interested in spending, at least not at this point in time.

Erie,

Thank you.  They are calling my name, I love the paint scheme!  Like you said though, I can't get past the PS1.

Sean,

They are nice, aren't they???  I think... that I can get them for that exact amount... they want a little more though.

Most of my collection is made up of Southern engines.  However, I would not buy PS1 engine because  I would be concerned with the electronics.  I have a PS1 engine.  I bought about 10 years ago.  It has the best smoke output of any of my engines in that it will smoke up a room in minutes, but the sound has started to become distorted.  I have not run it in 2 years because it is conventional and I really like command control engines better with DCS.  If you decide to buy it, I would suggest changing out the battery with BCR battery before trying to run it or at least putting in a new 8.4v battery.  Ken

Good point Sam.  Having only moved up to O-gauge less than 2 years ago, my 45 years in HO and N, doesn't help in engine and control knowledge.  This story proved I was a novice again.  I related this story to Uncle Fester, Mike and someone else at Patrick H's the other day.  I purchased a nice NYC Hudson on e-bay.  The listing said PS, I didn't realize until I received it that it was PS1 not PS2 as my other engine is.  I can not fault the man who listed it, looking back he described the engine corectly.  It was my ignorance.  So I bought a PS2 kit and an OGR DVD on making the PS2 upgrade.  Watching the DVD, I realized with my arthritis getting worse, the project may be over my skill level today.  Uncle Fester gave me the contact information of someone who has done work for him.  I made contact, am happy with the quote to do the work, and shipped the engine this week to this expert halfway across the state.  The moral of the story is that I will have a nice engine when it is all said and done, but I could have bought a nicer brand new PS2 or PS3 engine for what I will have in this one.  Lesson learned.  While I have a BS, my true education has come from the school of hard knocks.