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Enginear

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I finally got a MTH G gauge dash8 narrow nose. It's a BNSF. It has a new soundset with a deeper horn tone. Even the engine chugging seems more realistic.

If you click on the speaker icon on the page linked below, you will hear the sounds. I would also like to get the wedge scheme (70-2072) if anyone has it or knows where I can get it.
 
#4 ·
Can you define what you mean by newer? Is it possible to identify the more recent production models from the model number? I have 2 rather aged Dash 8s and would be interested in adding an updated version to the roster, and I'm pretty flexible on roadnames/livery. Also, is there any word on the future of MTH's One Gauge series? I got the impression from a couple of shop owners that production might not continue for long ....
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Well, newer engines have a 2 meg board. I'm not sure how to tell. I would guess the manufacture date should be recent, maybe a year ( announced 2010 catalogs?). The older dashes I have won't load this new sound file because they have the older 1 meg board.
I have heard that MTH pulled back the production a bit on G scale as the market sagged. I too heard they were getting out, from dealers talking. Recently I've heard this is not true. They have released the PAs and hopefully will come up with more newer engines. Mike himself said they have plans for more G scale releases and will have PS3 boards installed in G scale too. I'll be watching. I feel their drive train is superior and their engines are a great value with sound and smoke. Joe
 
#6 ·
Thanks, Joe, for the info. I had no idea that the newer engines had 2 meg boards. I've been pretty focused on live steam for the last few years, but I recently realized how much I miss having an engine running on the layout for more than 40 minutes at a time! I agree that having pre-installed sound and smoke is great and I love running the engines under DCS, although it can be finicky sometimes.
 
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#8 ·
Looks great, Joe. The MTH units put out a healthy amount of smoke, don't they? I really like the look over your setup in the raised garden, as well. Very clean in appearance.
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
One of the things that makes MTH engines a great value is the smoker! They have solid drive trains and sound built in. Love them.

Now if I could figure out how to make a waterfall? I'm not happy with the layout yet. I was told a while back just get something started. It will grow! I figure that's some great advice after 4 or 5 years of nothing much happening out there. Thank you, Joe
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Maybe I should have titled this "how 1/32 and 1/29 look together". I'm kind of amazed when I read about people's belief that they won't run the 1/32 scale stuff. Maybe they feel the bigger 1/29 is a better value? They are slightly different in size. I really don't see a lack of detail or "toy like looks" that I hear about. I may build a couple of big cars in 1/32 to see how they look on the track.
Now I'm hoping that MTH releases their new line with DCC compatability soon. I look forward to more modern releases. I'm wondering who will try them?
 
#11 ·
It will be the people wondering if they will ever see the new system in the gauge one stuff, especially since it's been out for so long in the other MTH products.

I thought long and hard about going 1:32... the brass stuff was too expensive... the MTH stuff was better priced, but did not want to get locked into a proprietary control system. If they had DCC compatibility then, I might indeed have gone 1:32 years ago. I'm glad I did not, the 1:32 "reasonably priced" offerings are just as restricted as they were then... actually even more so with the lack of releasing new locos over the years.

The economy did not help of course, but the reality is that by going to 1:29, I have still had a steady stream of new products like the Aristo consolidation and all the really nice rolling stock from AML.

Greg
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I had expected MTH to "dive in deeper" into G scale with even more products. Like you say the market got soft and they went into other scales, with sales in Europe.
I've heard recently that they are contemplating a new diesel for G scale and I would expect it to have the new DCC capable boards. I don't see them making the old boards much longer.
 
#13 ·
Well, I for one think it would be very helpful for them to take the technology they have had for a while, and make the large scale units.

Their sounds are very nice, if a somewhat limited repertoire. The smoking system is the "gold standard" that others measure by.

Greg
 
#14 ·
Ive never been a big fan of MTH Largescale, seeings all the problems they had and my freinds had some Triplexs and they were just the biggest piece of junk out there.They spent more time at MTH being fixed then
they did running, I guess that's why MTH cant give them away on there web site. The control system works best in O guage were it was designed to do so, but not so well in G without a lot of extra do dads
to help it operate. My thoughts as to why they got out of G is there product is way over priced for what they were and way to small plus didnt work well in a Garden environment.
Most likeley these are the reasons they left Largescale most likely not to return anytime soon if at all.

Jethro
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
The Triplex uses a slave board in the tender that can fail. Most of the time it just loses communication with the engine to run in sync.
The DCS system works the same in O scale as it does in G. It's just like DCC with advanced communication in both directions. There are some simple rules that need to be followed to get good signal transmission in both directions for the system to operate smoothly. Most users want a system that works no matter what they do to it. I've read here before a lot of trashing over not understanding what's really needed. A lot of the same guys don't use track power for these reasons. I can understand why. I just don't go that way myself. I prefer track power. A couple of extra wires to the track in the correct place is no big deal. As far as these MTH diesels, they are bullet proof. The trucks are built well. They run smooth and strong. If you want to pick and compare some big losers of other companies, we can talk further.
 
#17 ·
Interesting information about the Triplex... did not know it had an extra board... that would explain a lot.

I'd say DCS is similar in the functions you get, the way the signal is transmitted is totally different though. This is why you have to do some extra things to have good signal transmission, and it also does have a couple of drawbacks, like not having autoreversers available, i.e. no reversing loops, at least no one has ever been able to show me a DCS autoreverser... maybe it can be done.

But it has a lot of features, and some features, like the voice transmission, are ahead of DCC to be fair.

Regards, Greg
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Yeap Greg, and the new PS3 boards don't have any polarity issues. They can be turned around without having to throw a polarity switch. DCS, and Lionel's TMCC for that matter, still are like advanced DCC functions and features to me. They just make programming simplier for user of their own systems. The call to make things compatable, has led MTH to make their boards compliant with DCC systems I imagine. The future of their G gauge diesels should be bright if people will check them out.
In the mean time, I would hope that USA, Aristo, and others, would start making their engines available as a package with control and sound. Otherwise, I feel that many users will just stay with conventional control and miss out on the advanced features available for cost reasons.
 
#19 ·
Posted By jmill24 on 13 Oct 2012 08:11 AM
Jetfro,
I disagree. I run MTH and love it. You are totally wrong. You are just another Nickoid..............Jim
Dont get me involved with your petty fueds with others, You run your MTH under Battery power rite. So your not one to talk about MTH operations under track power, now I understand why it works for you.
This is your GS-4 with battery car Rite?????????????? no track signal problems rite? http://youtu.be/mHdo3yj5y6g you should really give all the info before you post. Case closed. by.......

Jethro
 
#20 ·
Yes, in order to work with DCC, they MUST be "polarity insensitive". That's good, and will help reduce frustrations even on DC powered DCS setups.

Yes, the programming is simpler, because it's only MTH DCS, not a wide range of decoders with many different functions. In DCC, there are a number of standard settings, but there is "room" for many custom commands.

The problem with making USAT, Aristo and others have the sound and control built in is that not everyone wants the same control system, or sound system.

So, the move towards a standard interface "socket" is probably the wisest choice.

While I respect the functions available from DCS, it's just not enough for me, and too limiting.

So I am indeed an example of someone who wants a "decoder ready" locomotive.

Regards, Greg
 
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