Which Coupler?

If the engine did not come with Proto-2, you could upgrade it to a Proto-2 steam kit which comes with  proto-coupler for the tender. The electronic couplers fit in place of the "thumbtack" couplers. You just have to thread the wires through the opening in the chassis to connect them to the PS-2 board.

The engine is equipped with the full PS-2 system.  I just noticed on the website I was looking at that all of the different "options" actually point to the same item, so it may not be as confusing as I thought.

Thanks,

Aaron

Aaron, A PS-2 engine should already have a remote coupler?  G

I apologize for not responding to the last question.  The instructions for my engine, (which I downloaded from MTH's website) indicate that the ProtoCoupler is an add-on feature.  The engine I have appears to be a 1996 model.

Good to know when one is looking for second-hand equipment; I did not realize that some (at least) early PS2 locos came with a mechanical coupler. Early Lionel TMCC locos (at least some, again) did not have an Electrocoupler - which were available separately. The N&W Warhorse J is an example.

Most of the early TMCC GP-9's didn't have electrocouplers, I've converted a bunch of them.

There were NO PS-2 engines in 1996.  PS-2 engines were not even cataloged until 2000 volume 3.  If it is a 1996 engine it is PS-1 unless up-graded to PS-2.  And if up-graded the PS-2 coupler should have been added then. 

Also the PS-1 couplers are different than a PS-2 couplers.

Your right, I don't know why I thought the box and instructions had a "2" on them, it's PS-1.  The version I have is here.

It sounds like I ordered the wrong coupler!

Aaron

PS/1 couplers seem pretty compatible with Lionel couplers, and they work interchangeably for me.  The PS/2 couplers have a much lower resistance and are unique.