Rayman4449

That's a good question. I think you could probably get away with it but what I think will stand out is the color difference. Seems like this may be my chance to get a set of cars I like the color of as I never cared for the colors MTH chose for theirs. I would still need to repaint my engine tho.

Yes they can be changed by the end user. Just need a TIU and either Serial or USB cable (USB port is on the new Rev L TIU) See my DCS Tips page, Section V, near the bottom. Instructions on changing a sound file are there. As far as the engine sound file to select, use the MTH website to lookup the sound file you want. Only issue is if the file is for an O gauge engine it could change the speed matching compared to your other G scale engines. If your run the engine alone wont be an issue. You have the option to change the tach strip count on the flywheel to readjust if you wanted to go that far. Again, assuming it changes the speed calibration. Let me know if you need anything else. Raymond

Hey Jim, I haven't personally yet. Seems like there was some talk about that but I haven't heard anything definitive yet.

Yeah, resets and lash-up will not affect the issue you are seeing. If there is a problem with PS2 board it wont always be noticeable. Other thing you can do is to make sure the optical reader face is clean by rubbing it down with a cloth.

You're very welcome. Yeah because you are overseas sending the engine would not be my first suggestion because of cost and would in a first step resort to mailing just the PS2 board itself for testing if it comes down to that. Keep us posted Raymond

You could try a reset engine through the remote but what he is describing is the board is not correctly processing the information from the optical reader. Either because the board/optic reader is damaged or because of some wiring issue.

It should not be an issue but make sure you press down on the top of the PS2 board to ensure the top and bottom boards are fully seated.

I wouldn't bother changing the wires to the optical reader. The fact that you have noticed something else like the front coupler also not working seems to indicate something else. What I would do next is to make sure all the wiring harnesses are plugged securely into the Protosound 2 board. Next I would carefully inspect all wiring to ensure there is no bare or exposed wire that could short against other wires or anything. If everything else checks out then I would say likely need to send the Protosound 2 board in for testing. If you need that I can do that at no charge and can provide replacement boards if necessary. If the board tested bad would want to make very sure we checked all the wiring is good before dropping a new board. You really don't ever see these boards just fail but I suppose it can happen.

Hey Mark, Quick reply... I did not add washers to mine and would check to see if you have a contact ring on your axle and if so I would do the same thing I did to mine to fix which in the end also using loctite would be a smart idea. http://www.rayman4449.com/Aristocraft_Mallet_Modifications_page.htm

MTH has officially announced the Android/iphone app and Wifi device for controlling DCS equipped trains in their 2014 O gauge Vol1 catalog. Will provide more details as I get them. http://www.mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/catalog_files/2014_v_1/index.html

Congrats! I have some of the bachmann coaches you have but none of the LGB. I have seen the LGB cars tho and think they would look just fine with the Bachmann coaches. Bachmann does not make a caboose like that, they have an observation car version that is meant to go at the end of the train.

Welcome Trygve! I would first check to make sure the optical reader face is clean and not covered with grease or something. Next check for a broken wire (there are three) that go to the optical reader. Other thing to check is to make sure the flywheel with stripes is clean. Most likely you prob have a broken wire or something. Raymond

Sounds like things went pretty well considering. ON the RDC motor I would guess that motor is burned up and will need to be replaced. If you haven't already I would power it up separate from engine direct off a power supply with an amp meter and make sure it doesnt have a really high amp draw. Will be seeing pics and videos maybe later?

Thanks Jerry. I hadn't seen this one but have been following very closely as they release new ones. Look at the size of the nut on the end of that!

Thanks for sharing that Jerry. I have to say I will likely be compelled to get these cars in order to get a set with nice Daylight colors.

Ok the Oct 4th early buy prices through MTH have expired and the price schedule has been updated.

I agree on the 4014, there is no question the next rerun will have to be in that number.

In business, you have only so much capital available for investment and to maximize profits (which is what keeps you in business) you have to focus the bulk of those resources that will provide the quickest turn-around on your investment. It's easy for us to want, but those with the responsibility of keeping a business above water have to make these kinds of decisions. It's very clear just how bad our market was hit with the economy and things are still not that great, only just seeing some positive signs but things are still pretty anemic. This isn't something that applies to just MTH but to all. It could also be that if they are producing a lower quantity of engines/cars in these next production runs it could be they are testing the market at these higher price points (higher price points because of lower overall quantities). I agree there are many holes that could be filled with new products. If the sales are there, they will make the product you can be sure of that. Why? Cause they will know money is to be made there. If the sales aren't then you can be sure they won't be quick to roll more new exciting stuff any time soon. We had a core group viciously attack and criticize Aristocraft for years for what they 'weren't doing', now they are out of business. So with so much emphasis placed on the 'wrongs' we can see where it has led us. We are now without one of THE major players that produced product for our hobby. We have all lost. My point is I would encourage everyone to be patient with the remaining mfgs in this scale (not just MTH) and understand they have reasons for holding off on new product creation. We all want new product and you can be sure they want to sell it to us, but the sales have to be there or there is no basis to produce it. I'm sure MTH will roll out something new in steam (which is what I'm really wanting and waiting for) in the future, just a matter of time.

I know crazy isn't it?

The other thing that is bad is MTH is now the only mfg that makes affordable steam locomotive models. USA and Accucraft steam is very expensive.

Totally agree. Just TERRIBLE news...

I can't say for sure but I would guess that until the economy fully turns around that we won't be seeing big catalogs like they were releasing at first. I just heard that even Lionel didn't produce a fall catalog this year which is like a first time thing? With Aristocraft going under I think it underscores just how bad sales tanked in this scale and the higher price points (which I think is partly related to smaller production run quantities) is only going to slow sales down even further. Looks like there are some signs of the economy coming back to life so the worst may be behind us. On the detail, I have to take a close look at some of the rolling stock I got in, but my first thought has been that it all looks far better than I thought it would. I have really been impressed with what I have seen through the box windows. As far as new production items (not produced in prior runs), they are going to have to see that sales are recovering before committing I'm sure. The fact they announced another catalog at all probably tells me that MTH at least has seen good enough sales to think it worth giving it a try. We are basically down to USA Trains and MTH for mainline rolling stock and engines, not the situation we would have hoped for but hopefully with the smaller number of companies left they will benefit from increased sales further strengthening them both.

Very sorry to report the bad news: Polk’s Will Close Its Doors 12-31-13 October 1st, 2013 Since 1935, we have provided service and innovation to the Hobby industry. In this latest downturn, we cut back staff to the minimum required to survive. Then the government battle over the debt ceiling drove the consumer market down even further. We’ve managed to stay in business, but the continued depression for the consumer has caused us to fall into debt that is unsustainable. We have put several million dollars into product development over recent years, but the need for customers to cut back on non-essentials has caused this investment to be lacking in returns. We have seen leisure activities like golf courses plunge in popularity, as funds for such recreation have dried up. It seems to be the same for hobby time investments. Our products are no longer inexpensive as they were in the 1930s-era Depression. The cost of manufacturing along with minimum production runs and long lead times has caused a lack of ability to continue as a sustainable entity. It’s no longer a business! It has been a pleasure to help our creative consumer base to enjoy their hobby and we have no regrets in doing so. Our business grew every year until the 2008 as the recession caused a shrinking of the mindset to stay active in our large-scale model train arena. We know that smaller scales have remained viable, but the higher cost of Large Scale trains and the space required to run them have not maintained their share of the market. Our airplane R/C portion of our business was lost when our patented frequency changer was lost to the 2.4Ghz portion of the marketplace, with no frequency compounds needed any longer. For 80 years, the Polk family has made a fair living in the Hobby industry. I can’t help but remember the scores of co-workers that have helped make this organization as special as it was. Thanks to them all, but notably: Gil Rose, B.M. Song, J.K. Kim, Sam Kimm, Tom Flynn, Cliff Crane, Charlie Binder, Marvin Binder, John and Sherry Shievdayal, Aixa Lebron, Joe Bamberger, David Newell, Walter Matuch, John Mikesh, Navin Shievdayal, Marguerite Hubert (Rose), Michael J. Vickey, Jonathan Polk, Scott Polk, Fred Polk, Irwin Polk, Nathan Polk, Maryann Polk Bob Calandra, George Adams, Michael Hauptmann and so many others, it would take a book to list them all. While I can’t list all the hundreds that were part of the team, they remain in my heart and mind. Our humble thanks to our loyal customers. Our apologies for not being able to keep this almost 80-year-old business going. It’s a heartbreaker for us all. All the best, The Polk Family Polk's Hobby 698 S. 21st St. Irvington New Jersey 07111 United States

Good to hear Mark. It does seem without question that the second you try to have an Open House is when things all go crazy. They can run smooth for months and something you've never seen before like a broken coupler will happen when everyone is on scene haha. Yes at our mall display the LGB Mikados just about no matter what I did to try and keep the motors cool would keep overheating and burning out motors, even with the lightest loads. They just were geared way too high and didnt have a high enough RPM motor. They are a great looking engine but I would have been disappointed if I had ever bought one as I need engines that have pulling power given the hill I have at the back of my house.

LOL there is no doubt that couplers/etc would start breaking. As it is two of these Big Boys alone which have 16-18lbs+ of combined pull force can break connections as I've popped a tender coupler once. Each Big Boy pulls about 8lbs pull force and combined that number is more than just double (more like 18 I would guess). At a min you are looking at a combined pull force of over 60lbs! O_O Finally did it tho, just one of those 'for the hell of it' things. One neat thing I thought about when watching it was it's likely that there probably aren't many places anywhere (if any) where this scene can be repeated which is kinda cool I think!