What have you done to your Subway Trains?

I converted all mine that should have cool white colored lights to LEDs. Eventually I'll send them to my friend for weathering and interior detail work. Oh and I did add people to my R27 set, the rest will get the same.

Nice.. I follow you on YouTube Matt..

@FECRailroaddog posted:

Nice.. I follow you on YouTube Matt..

Sweet!

I’ve added people to all the railking models and conductor figures in the drivers cab (arttista makes a one legged engineer just for mth engines). Graffiti on some. Light weathering on some others. All subways made after mth lost the MTA license get appropriate MTA or TA stickers as well.  BCRs added to all engines as well as reflective tape heat shield applied to all engine roofs.  Regular Light oiling to all non powered cars as well to lessen drag and overheating the engine.

I just bought a second hand MTH Railking 30-20255-1 R-26 Subway set from a forum member.  It has no interior, but does anyone know where to find the seats, etc?  I have figures I can paint, but the rest of the interior?

Thanks,

John

Nice, I have read on here about the heat shield thing, is that for all the sets? I have added passengers on my R42 and R12 and didn't notice anything on the roofs. What type of tape you use? like the tape for A/C duct work?

J

@FECRailroaddog posted:

Nice, I have read on here about the heat shield thing, is that for all the sets? I have added passengers on my R42 and R12 and didn't notice anything on the roofs. What type of tape you use? like the tape for A/C duct work?

J

You want to use silver metallic reflective tape (much sturdier and highly reflective compared to ac duct tape). The early subway models lacked any  protection for the top of the engine shell and were prone to heat damage from the flimsy lights installed at the top of the casing that houses the electronics, particularly when they become unseated and move upwards from handling the engine car.  Placing the metallic tape on the inside top of the shell, particularly over where the lights are seated eliminated this problem, which usually first revealed itself by the appearance of a “bubble” on the exterior of the shell right where one of those lights is located.  Later models started including a heat shield, but I always inspected to make sure it was there, since some forum members reported that certain newer models still lacked it. Even when I see them properly placed, I stuck a piece of metallic tape over the part of the interior roof where the lights are seated for extra protection. Keep in mind, you only need to do this for the engine cars, as the lights in the passenger cars are better seated and not prone to moving and causing the heat damage to the roof.  In fact, I own a considerable fleet of subways and have never had a problem with a passenger car.

The subway engines pack a lot of electronics and lights in a small space, causing them to run very hot.  This also places a major strain on the engine electronics, adding to board failures. In order to extend the life of the engine, you should try and run them at the lowest voltage you can. I run mine at around 15-16 volts when just doing continuous operation. I use around 17 volts (sometimes 18 depending on how many passenger cars) when running in auto mode with station stops. This is because the engine needs more voltage to gain momentum after a station stop. I try and avoid using the two car add ons when running in auto mode, only running the original 4 car sets, which places less strain on the engine from the continuous stopping and starting when in auto mode, helping to further minimize engine heat.  Other tricks include glueing some of  the windows back on in a  half open fashion or leaving them off, so air can flow into the engine, cooling it when running. This can be done for models like your r-12, with the flimsy windows that are prone to becoming unglued and falling off over time. Other models have the better, sturdier windows and don’t allow for this.  Other things to do is to keep the engine well oiled and lubed, as well as regular oiling of the passenger cars to minimize drag and strain on the engine, which also helps decrease engine heat.  

Thanks for the info Strap Hanger, I was unaware of these issues, I will order some reflective tape and get it done. Also the info on running the trains was great.

I've added MTA logos to my Flushing 7 World's Fair set, as well as added some passengers to many of my sets. But mostly I just run them and enjoy the heck out of them.

I run a temporary layout on banquet tables (a 4 x 8 Mianne is coming, but even then Ill run it as a blank slate so I can frequently change it.) I'm not a modeler or scale guy, I'm a toy train guy, and frequently create fantasy layouts.

I say this because the most current layout will feature some Plasticville, but also a collection of actual NY World's Fair memorabilia that I have. Oh--and subway maps make a great surface for setting up my subway layouts.

Enjoy these subway sets. I really hope somebody keeps making them!

Great ideas! I like the MTH Worlds Fair Set, they have one on ebay, but its LocoSound and the other one with PS2 its way out of my range.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

Great ideas! I like the MTH Worlds Fair Set, they have one on ebay, but its LocoSound and the other one with PS2 its way out of my range.

I picked up the P3 reissue a few years ago. Glad I did. Also the blue Q that is 39 WF. So I run both eras together.

I love my worlds fair PS2 R-36 subway. It’s almost 20 years old and it’s the last of my subways with the dreaded 5 volt board, but it is well made and just keeps on chugging. I’d rate it in the top three railking subways made by MTH (the premier models are in a class by themselves).  The other benefit of this earlier ps2 version is that I did not have to put on any TA decals. The set came with all appropriate signage because mth still had their license with the MTA at the time of production. Here she is playing tag with her R33s PS3 brother (I had to add the newer MTA logos and other signage to this one):

FEC Raildog, here are some of my Graffitied up later edition R-12s (ps-2 version). The white models provide a nice canvas for those rascally graffiti vandals -

@Strap Hanger posted:

I love my worlds fair PS2 R-36 subway. It’s almost 20 years old and it’s the last of my subways with the dreaded 5 volt board, but it is well made and just keeps on chugging. I’d rate it in the top three railking subways made by MTH (the premier models are in a class by themselves).  The other benefit of this earlier ps2 version is that I did not have to put on any TA decals. The set came with all appropriate signage because mth still had their license with the MTA at the time of production. Here she is playing tag with her R33s PS3 brother (I had to add the newer MTA logos and other signage to this one):

FEC Raildog, here are some of my Graffitied up later edition R-12s (ps-2 version). The white models provide a nice canvas for those rascally graffiti vandals -

I love the white set, #1 train. Also., I absolutely adore that MTA bus! Where is that from?

Pdx, as a rider on the #1 line in the mid 70s to early 80s, I would think the white R12 is a must have set for you!  You probably rode one just like it.  The fishbowl bus is also from that era. My wife bought it for me a few years ago from Diecast direct(made by iconic replicas).  It’s a little oversized, at 1:43 scale, but it looks great properly placed on the layout and I love it. I’m not sure they have any more available, although they regularly appear on eBay for around $70-$80. Diecast direct/iconicreplicas do regular runs of MTA fishbowl busses, so keep hitting their sites. I’m waiting for them to reissue the green one from the mid to late 70s.  They’re scheduled to come out with this greyhound with a destination to the NY worlds fair. It might go well with your worlds fair collection - https://www.iconic-replicas.co...-worlds-fair-53-0260

@Strap Hanger posted:

Pdx, as a rider on the #1 line in the mid 70s to early 80s, I would think the white R12 is a must have set for you!  You probably rode one just like it.  The fishbowl bus is also from that era. My wife bought it for me a few years ago from Diecast direct(made by iconic replicas).  It’s a little oversized, at 1:43 scale, but it looks great properly placed on the layout and I love it. I’m not sure they have any more available, although they regularly appear on eBay for around $70-$80. Diecast direct/iconicreplicas do regular runs of MTA fishbowl busses, so keep hitting their sites. I’m waiting for them to reissue the green one from the mid to late 70s.  They’re scheduled to come out with this greyhound with a destination to the NY worlds fair. It might go well with your worlds fair collection - https://www.iconic-replicas.co...-worlds-fair-53-0260

Yes, I love that white set!  I have my eye on the Red #1 P3 that's available now as i think it's 70s and I seem to remember riding it.

I'll look for that WF bus and keep my eyes out. In the meantime, I think I may have found your bus on the bay.

Wow.. awesome pictures, the graffiti looks hand drawn. Yea the white R12 is really nice, I have the PS3 that just came out, the announcer is female voice.  Also there are no background noises, like doors opening, ppl talking, etc., like on my old R42 set, which has all that, I love the "hey hold that door" guy on the R42.

Nice layout Strap Hanger, I like that platform you have parked those subways on.  I wanna upgrade to full DCS, I just got the explorer, but it doesn't play the station sounds. Gonna have to work some side jobs to get it.

@FECRailroaddog posted:

Wow.. awesome pictures, the graffiti looks hand drawn. Yea the white R12 is really nice, I have the PS3 that just came out, the announcer is female voice.  Also there are no background noises, like doors opening, ppl talking, etc., like on my old R42 set, which has all that, I love the "hey hold that door" guy on the R42.

Nice layout Strap Hanger, I like that platform you have parked those subways on.  I wanna upgrade to full DCS, I just got the explorer, but it doesn't play the station sounds. Gonna have to work some side jobs to get it.

Thanks FEC. Yes, the graffiti is a combination of hand drawn and decals.  That is very strange regarding your R-12 not having background sounds.  All of my PS3 subways have the same background sounds as my PS2s.  If you know someone that has DCS, have them check to see if they are turned down. If the background sound feature is not turned down (or set to off), have them do a factory reset.  I don’t/can’t believe MTH left that sound set off of the PS3 R-12s.  In fact, if you really want to enjoy those subways, make sure to pick up one of those new all in one TIUs with wifi that Bill has on order at  ready to roll.  Running subways without DCS is like going to the range and only using a BB gun.

Thanks for the information, yea I'm going to call Bill and see if I get on the list for the new TIU.

You guys did some awesome things to your trains. I haven’t done anything to any of my subway sets but y’all gave me a lot of ideas.

Following thread for when I finally get a subway set!

PS if anyone is looking to offload a PS2.0 2 car set, I'm all ears!

@DCtransit posted:

Following thread for when I finally get a subway set!

PS if anyone is looking to offload a PS2.0 2 car set, I'm all ears!

Keep an eye out on EBay. Sometimes you can get a good deal. I passed on a few that I wish I hadn’t 😩😩

Yep, everyone sold out on the subway sets and ebay prices are through the roof. Hopefully they continue making them if not the prices just gonna keep going up.

I recently received the reflective tape which Strap Hanger suggested and upgraded by PS2 battery to BRC-2.

I have a PS1 R42 set, and thinking about upgrading it to PS3, but I don't wanna loose the Yankee Stadium announcement, so I'm still debating it.

I am upgrading all my passenger cars to LEDs.   Really did not consider the subway cars.    Has anyone done this and any issues or rather straightforward?   Thanks

All on my site.

@jjwyatt posted:

I am upgrading all my passenger cars to LEDs.   Really did not consider the subway cars.    Has anyone done this and any issues or rather straightforward?   Thanks

Pretty straightforward

Good to hear.  I am in full LED upgrade mode.  Just forgot about my subway cars on my list

@FECRailroaddog posted:

I have a PS1 R42 set, and thinking about upgrading it to PS3, but I don't wanna loose the Yankee Stadium announcement, so I'm still debating it.

Wait until the board dies. I don’t think they ever remade the R42s in ps2 or PS3 so you have a sought after set. Let the board fail, then do the full PS3 upgrade to one of the newer D model trains with the yankee stadium stop.  For now, I’d just replace the battery with the appropriate sized bcr.

The one thing I’ve really wanted to do but haven’t had the time is to install end gate chains on all my railking subways.  Mth used to sell them and I regret not buying a bunch. Now, it looks like I’ll have to make my own.  Does anyone know of a source for these? They would make the railking subways look so much better.

@Strap Hanger posted:

Wait until the board dies. I don’t think they ever remade the R42s in ps2 or PS3 so you have a sought after set. Let the board fail, then do the full PS3 upgrade to one of the newer D model trains with the yankee stadium stop.  For now, I’d just replace the battery with the appropriate sized bcr.

Use the R32 D train file, same line, similar stops. It announcements Yankee stadium.

@Trainlover9943 posted:

Use the R32 D train file, same line, similar stops. It announcements Yankee stadium.

That’s the one - Model # 20-80005A

@Trainlover9943 posted:

Use the R32 D train file, same line, similar stops. It announcements Yankee stadium.

Are all the sound files for the MTH subways in one place to download?

Thanks,

John

@Craftech posted:

Are all the sound files for the MTH subways in one place to download?

Thanks,

John

Look up the model number you want and click the support tab, there you'll see the file to download. It's the PS2 icon.

@Trainlover9943 posted:

Look up the model number you want and click the support tab, there you'll see the file to download. It's the PS2 icon.

I kind of gathered that, but is there a single location for one to download all of them in case down the road one would like to decide which one (given the uncertainty of the files remaining on that website in the future)?

John

@Craftech posted:

I kind of gathered that, but is there a single location for one to download all of them in case down the road one would like to decide which one (given the uncertainty of the files remaining on that website in the future)?

John

No. You have to do item by item and download them

@Craftech posted:

I kind of gathered that, but is there a single location for one to download all of them in case down the road one would like to decide which one (given the uncertainty of the files remaining on that website in the future)?

John

I followed @Trainlover9943 ‘s video on YouTube to change my sound file. He gave great instructions and made it easy. I was really new to DCS when I did it. I’ve only had it for a little over a month.

Thanks for the info Strap Hanger, I guess I will wait till the board dies, probably be a while because it still runs strong and the stops are clear.  I already replaced the battery to BRC-1 and placed the reflective tape on it.   I just picked up another set the Q-Train to replace it on my elevated line, and I will then run it periodically.

Added motorman and kid figures to the head car of my Lionel R27, and "passengers" (photos printed on transparent printer paper) to the rest of the first car.

   S.I. re-visited.

                                  Added some upgrades along with DCS PS-2 …

If you want to see a Subway system take a look at NJ Hirailers their system is beautiful, both above and below grade. They have members on the forum.

@poconotrain posted:

If you want to see a Subway system take a look at NJ Hirailers their system is beautiful, both above and below grade. They have members on the forum.

Although I agree, not sure how your comment relates to the post title?

We all know the NJH's. Actually, I helped them decorate it. Also, the first to model subway tunnels back in 2001.