As I consider various makers of sound diesels, I keep running into negatives about MTH.
Are these real or imagined?
My FA’s run great, and I had no problem programmign them. Each newer model, MTH improved the operation of them with DCC. Older ones apparantly can be updated with new firmware, however this requires a DCS system - if buying from a dealer you can probably have them do it in the store.
If you are running DC, honestly forget sound diesels. MTH are a bit worse in this respect since at the typical HO 12 volts, they will not run very fast, they need nearly 20 volts. Like ALL makes of sound locos on DC, there will be little actual control as you need to advance the throttle more than half way just to get the sounds to start (withotu the loco moving) so you have less than half the throttle’s range to control the speed from a crawl to full speed. It’s just the way things are - otherwise you would have the loco moving at half speed or better before it makes even idle sounds.
I see no reason to avoid MTH, I just have no interest in modern power, or large steam locos like the UP. So I never was interested. But they came out with the FA in Reading so I got a set.
–Randy
I’ll say up front I don’t have any MTH engines, but from the reviews and what I’ve seen and heard about them, it seems the general opinion is MTH engines are very good. Most folks agree they run great, but it seems like they can be a little “off the mark” sometimes as far as model dimensions, detailing, decorating etc.
To me they are real. Out of 5 MTH SD70ACe purchased, 4 were defectives out of the box. That is a 80% failure rate.
And on top of that MTH has no customer service worthy of mention.
Out of 14 MTH HO scale SD70ACe’s I have had only one with an issue, and that’s a minor one. My luck must be better than the guy’s above me.
Yes your luck is much better than mine and I envy you. If only MTH had a good after sale service.
I don’t know anything about MTH other then they developed they’re own form of proprietary command control system. I think the idea was that we’d all beat a path to their door, because they had the better mouse trap and we’d like their system so much better! I don’t think that has happened. Although it certainly is within their rights to develop there own system, I think their products would be better accepted had they of hopped onto the DCC “Band Wagon” with everyone else. You lay your money down and you take your chances!
Seems they’ve at least somewhat figured that out, as the newer release are more easily configured on NMRA DCC than the first attempts.
As for reliability, several of the club members hwho like modern equipment have seveal of the 70ACe’s, all of which have put in considerable time at shows, and to my knowledge not one has ever had a problem.
–Randy
Have one with sound and like it,have seven without sound and four were bad.