I was looking at a used MTH PS3 engine, but I shied away because it had 1500 scale miles on it. Is that a lot and if not what is?
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in theory it should make no difference. Use the mileage as a negotiating tactic tomget a better price.
BTW I think 1500 is high
Well I think that a lot depends on how the engine was used and cared for. Just my opinion, but if the engine was operated on someone's layout and was maintained (regular lube and not running the smoke wick dry, etc) then I wouldn't be afraid.
For me, I try to stay away from the trains only used around the holidays. These seem to see hard use and the operator is not likely to maintain the engine very well.
A guy in our club had over 1,000,000 miles on his locomotive last fall. All he did was replace the wheels, lube it up and it has been running like a Swiss watch ever since.
Personally I don't think that is a lot of miles. Thats only 500 times around my display. Heck it is probably just now broke in. Provided it was lubricated.
Clem
Good thing you didn't work for a real railroad - you would have rejected the engines before they made it to you 
1500 scale miles isn't a lot IMO. If we take 1500/48, you get appx. 31 miles. Its not chump change - that's about 62 times around my block. Still, as long as it has been maintained, if you get the right price, go for it!
We probably put 50-75 scale miles on most of the locomotives we bring to modular shows in one day. The layout is about 136 feet around each loop, and running for a couple of hours we easily make 40-50 trips around if not more.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
We probably put 50-75 scale miles on most of the locomotives we bring to modular shows in one day. The layout is about 136 feet around each loop, and running for a couple of hours we easily make 40-50 trips around if not more.
John;
50 loops in an hour would be about 62 smph average, which seems reasonable.
I have an MTH Premier SF 4-8-4 which has over 2800 scale miles, and it still runs like a top. Its even an old 5 volt PS-2 unit.
Rod
I wouldn't hesitate to purchase if it works as intended.
-Greg
-Greg
Originally Posted by Rod Stewart:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
We probably put 50-75 scale miles on most of the locomotives we bring to modular shows in one day. The layout is about 136 feet around each loop, and running for a couple of hours we easily make 40-50 trips around if not more.
John;
50 loops in an hour would be about 62 smph average, which seems reasonable.
I have an MTH Premier SF 4-8-4 which has over 2800 scale miles, and it still runs like a top. Its even an old 5 volt PS-2 unit.
Rod
I figure we're doing about half that speed typically, but they're running several hours during the whole day. I'd think 1500 scale miles is just well broken in. 
John,
yes 30 mph seems more reasonable.
I missed the part about the 50 loops being over a couple of hours. Duhh!
Rod
Once in a while we have express passenger trains that get cooking along.
I have 3761.5 scale miles on this MU which is a combo of ps2 and ps3..running as i post this.
I have numerous early PS-2 locos that have logged over 4,000 scale miles each since they were released. They all still operate like new, no issues.
This is one feature I wish MTH made resettable.
Personally, I consider a loco with a 1/16" or deeper groove in the center roller high mileage.
If the mileage was easily resettable, it would be truly useless.
Why not use the Trip Odometer if you want to reset it?
