small MTH switchers with DCS

The Ge 44 tonner is the perfect switcher   I also like the Alco Ge boxcab 

I have 2 MTH Alco S2 switchers that I MU'ed (to get around dead spots on turnouts) and they ran on O27 curves on my previous layout. The startup sounds are a joy to hear and they look nice.  There was an issue on opening the shell with the railing going into the cab; however, I think most have worked around it.  On the steam end, my MTH PRR 0-6-0 would do nicely on O31; however, I do not have an O31 loop to verify it at this time.  enjoy!  once to go to command you might not look back.  It happened to me when I purchased the Kline Hudson in 2004 and I ended up acquiring more than 70 command engines (since then and new layout with different operating requirements) I am down to around 50.

The Lionel Trackmobile would also be a good option. Add a TMCC command base and cable to your TIU and you're good to go.

Thanks for the reccomendations on the small MTH switchers:

Bluelinec4 - I did not know about the boxcab! Now I will be on the lookout.

Winrose46 - my concern about the 0-6-0 is backing through the switches. I might have to find one local and see how it does.

Gilly@N&W - aside from some super cheap loinelchief locos, all of my command control locos are DCS and for the two types I primarily run (streetcar and tinplate) the only game in town. Since this is a doortop simple layout with a single address needed, the basic little remote commander would suit my needs. There is no TMCC add on for it that I know of. Thanks anyway for responding.

I second the MTH 44 tonner; small, a good runner and comes in many road names.

I have the MTH CNJ Boxcab, it's a good choice.

I also have the MTH 44-Ton locomotive, another small switcher, it's shown here with the Williams that I upgraded to TMCC.

I like the 44 tonner as well, how about an  S-2?

You can't get much smaller than the 44 ton switcher. I personally prefer the MTH Railking Scale SW1 - just a hair longer but has larger motors and ALL axles powered. Remember, the 44 tonner only has 2 of the 4 axles powered.

Not to say the 44 tonner is a poor choice (I've got one with a second on the way) but if I was looking for a small switcher with the best possible power, the SW1 would be my choice.

"Winrose46 - my concern about the 0-6-0 is backing through the switches. I might have to find one local and see how it does."  Mine has had no issues backing thru turnouts.  My Ross double cross over will cause a stop if it is going slowly; however, many of my short coupled engines that the same issue.  I MU'ed my Alco S2 and connected a power line between the engines that permitted the S2s to navigate turnouts at a crawl.

I have some MTH 3 rail switchers. I have mainly modern, like CSX and a CP. It sounds like you'd like older ones. So the best match I have would be the used RK VO1000. It is a Seaboard PS2 with one end step broken off. I run mainly 2 rail so these sit around.

https://mthtrains.com/30-2641-1

Just incase you're interested. At least maybe you could also consider the VO1000 and others too. I just got a premier S2 that is very nice.

SJC posted:

You can't get much smaller than the 44 ton switcher. I personally prefer the MTH Railking Scale SW1 - just a hair longer but has larger motors and ALL axles powered. Remember, the 44 tonner only has 2 of the 4 axles powered.

It's a switcher, it has no problem pulling a dozen boxcars, so it's more than sufficient for that task.

The VO-1000 is another good choice, but it is a bit larger than the other ones.

I also would suggest the MTH SW1. Not sure if its shorter than a boxcab but looks better IMHO.

Pete

CAPPilot posted:

I second the MTH 44 tonner; small, a good runner and comes in many road names.

Does the MTH 44 tonner have smoke?

I doubt it.

Arnold

Winrose,

   I have an MTH 0-6-0 when I had the original 036 FT Switches, it backed right thru them with no problems, can't say about the RealTrax 031's.  I believe however it will back thru them also.

I have an old small K-Line SeaBoard Red Switcher that has the auto couplers, if I remember correctly it runs thru the 027 switches either direction, so it should run thru the RealTrax 031 in either direction also.  Cool little K-Line Engine.

PCRR/Dave

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

CAPPilot posted:

I second the MTH 44 tonner; small, a good runner and comes in many road names.

Does the MTH 44 tonner have smoke?

I doubt it.

Arnold

According to the MTH web site it does have smoke....Even though we have one I had to look it up. We have tooo many engines.

Gregg posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

CAPPilot posted:

I second the MTH 44 tonner; small, a good runner and comes in many road names.

Does the MTH 44 tonner have smoke?

I doubt it.

Arnold

According to the MTH web site it does have smoke....Even though we have one I had to look it up. We have tooo many engines.

I remember a thread that discussed this when they were first delivered. I'm not sure they actually have smoke? I wouldn't go by any catalog descriptions anymore.

Ok Thanks for the heads up Joe.... I'll take a look next time over at the layout, but hopefully someone will post  shortly whether there's smoke or not.

I checked the MTH website to look for an MTH 44 tonner with smoke. 

All I found was MTH 44 tonner Proto-Sounds 3 for $449.95 in Catalog EF 2015 Volume 1, and smoke was not mentioned as a feature.

Does anyone have an MTH 44 tonner with smoke?

Also, does anyone have any 44 tonner made by any manufacturer with smoke?

Arnold

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I checked the MTH website to look for an MTH 44 tonner with smoke. 

All I found was MTH 44 tonner Proto-Sounds 3 for $449.95 in Catalog EF 2015 Volume 1, and smoke was not mentioned as a feature.

Does anyone have an MTH 44 tonner with smoke?

Also, does anyone have any 44 tonner made by any manufacturer with smoke?

Arnold

I don't think so Arnold. I believe the 44 tonners from MTH & Williams are the only scale units produced in o gauge. After you pack two motors and electronics in them there is barely enough room left for a cab figure let alone a smoke unit.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I checked the MTH website to look for an MTH 44 tonner with smoke. 

All I found was MTH 44 tonner Proto-Sounds 3 for $449.95 in Catalog EF 2015 Volume 1, and smoke was not mentioned as a feature.

Does anyone have an MTH 44 tonner with smoke?

Also, does anyone have any 44 tonner made by any manufacturer with smoke?

Arnold

I looked at the MTH and Williams 44 ton switchers.   Neither of them show smoke as a feature.   Trainworld had video of them also ..  Which shows no smoke.    I too am interested in getting one.   Wish Lionel made one in LC+ and in Southern paint scheme  ...

Jim

You're right guys, I went back again and checked      no smoke.  Sorry about that.

carsntrains posted:

 

Wish Lionel made one in LC+ and in Southern paint scheme  ...

I would guess it would come in a Legacy model long before LC+.

H1000 posted:

carsntrains posted:

 

Wish Lionel made one in LC+ and in Southern paint scheme  ...

I would guess it would come in a Legacy model long before LC+.

Thanks H1000 for the advice.

Gregg posted:

Ok Thanks for the heads up Joe.... I'll take a look next time over at the layout, but hopefully someone will post  shortly whether there's smoke or not.

Cool. I didn't mean to offend you, I just remember this was a heated discussion. I don't have the engine to say.

The 44-Ton MTH engine doesn't have smoke.

H1000 posted:

carsntrains posted:

 

Wish Lionel made one in LC+ and in Southern paint scheme  ...

I would guess it would come in a Legacy model long before LC+.

I'd take one in Legacy now.   Seeing I can run it and use most of the functions with a LC universal remote now!!!   Plan on getting the Legacy SW7 in Southern to go with my LC+ Southern NW2.