Well, you all have heard lots of talk [especially from Buckeye and myself] about MTH Realtrax switches [the later manufactured ones] and how sorry they are. Discussions on MTH cars with couplers poping open and orthodontist rubber bands being put on them to keep them closed. Well, purchased two end of train devices today from Miss Edna’s. Got home and first one out of the bubble pack was missing all 6 springs from the sprung diecast trucks. [banghead][V] Now who knows how to cuss [Southerners cuss and not curse] in Chinese?? [:-^]
I own a rtr set that came with realtrax. It seemed really cheap to me, so I just left it in the box. Sounds like Mike should implement some quality control over in China?
As the Chief says, we strongly encourage those that are starting out to stay away from the MTH Realtrax. We started with it in 2000, before ATLAS and LIONEL had their new systems on the market. On the average it seems that 20% of the switches I purchased last year needed major adjustments to make them work. One switch was so tightly put together, that the motor couldn’t move the points. Another switch was so poorly made that the points were too high and did not close. A new switch I just bought, has a rail that is too long and shorts out the non-derailing feature. I fixed it by grinding the end of the protruding rail. With nearly 200 feet of track and 12 switches, I don’t want to be fixing track and switches all the time. [banghead]
Chief…Have you noticed that the lanterns on MTH switches are packaged with the lights going the wrong way? [D)] Not hard to change, but…[:-^]
I do want to give a [tup] for the new ATLAS Industrial Rail Cars. They are just as good or better than the originals. Good job ATLAS. (Has anyone seen the Pacemaker Box Cars on their LHS shelves?)
My only MTH experience is with their Norfolk & Western “J” passenger set. Here’s an example of how poorly the track fit together. The dealer, Atlanta Trains, swapped out the curves without question. Guess there’s a lot of quality problems with MTH track.
What are your rolling stock, engine, and transformer experiences?
I’ll stick with 0-27 in 0-72 and 0-54 and 0-42 in Lionel Tubular. And 072 and 048 in LIONEL fasttrack, thank you. No Problems.
laz57
But theres a problem with the whole argument… The argument is saying that because MTH Realtrax is the worse on the market and the EOT device didnt come with the springs makes MTH a “Mike’s Trash House”.
I own only 2 MTH product, the DCS system and the SD70ACe. I dont have a problem with them, so I cant neccessarly say that MTH is bad until I get a defective product.
It would seem that both MTH and Lionel have had their share of QC problems over the last five years or so. That’s that high-end Chinese labor for ya. [|(]<-------------(I find that I’m using him a lot these days).
- Clint
I deal with all versions of track since the products I manufacture depend on it. MTH Realtrax uses a heavier gauge of plastic base than Lionel Fastrack, has a solid shaped rail and is about 1/2 " narrower in foot print. IMO, it ain’t trash by any means.
As for switches I’ve heard complaints about every Brand except Ross…And guess what, those are made right here in the USA.
Welcome to the New World Order… To keep down costs most of our stuff is imported and the profit is more important than the pride of making a quality product. If you buy something not done right get it back to the importer with specific complaints about the problem. Make them pay more attention to Quality Control. They will get the message.
Thankey…Thank you for posting the photo. Your photo could have been taken on my layout. We see this all the time. When I have the railsounds turned off on a locomotive, I have heard loud clunks. When I investigate, your photo is typical of the track connections I find on that section of the layout that was constructed last year with the Railtrax. The eight year old track is tight and alignment is good.
As to rolling stock, the only problem I have had is couplers that were not molded correctly. They will not match properly even to other MTH cars. I don’t own MTH locmotives. I use a Z1000 only to power accessories without the variable control. It powers the accessories.
My MTH Amfleet Passenger Cars were purchased used. After repairing four of the six lighting circuits, they work fine. I also had to fix a coupler. I assumed there was something wrong when I purchased them so cheap, so I really don’t count them as problem cars.
The primary problem is the track and switches on my layout. The Chief owns MTH locomotives, so I will let him speak for himself. Wes also owns a significant amount of MTH Railtrax and I know he has problems, too. The Chief and I both own older quantities of RealTrax. As I said I have Realtrax that is eight years old and I believe the Chief has some similar in age. It is the product that we see in the last two or three years that we are complaining about.
Well my friends I have to disagree with you on this thread. My layout is 100% Reaktrax w/14 switches and with the exception of one switch everything has worked VERY well for 10+ years. Apparently the older track/switches were of better quality than what’s being produced today and that’s unfortunate but IMO I think you should be taking your gripes to the company. If everyone who hates MTH would take 10 minutes and write MTH you will get their attention, at least I would think so. I’m not sure a public flogging on a hobby forum will get the results you want, sure it’s a start and it makes folks aware of your problems but I personally don’t see it as constructive criticism.
Just my .02.
I agree with Jonadel. If everyone is having somany problems with there products tell them. If you don’t speak up nothing will get done to correct the problem. It gets real tiring of listing to everyone complain about something and not doing anything about it. I own alot of MTH and never had any real big problems with my stuff. Come to think of it that’s all I own.
Ralph
I don’t think it’s a hate thing, more like I paid hard earned money for this,it ought to work right out of the box and keep on working.
Well, since there are always threads from people aksing for opinions and or experiences on various products, including track, this is a reasonable thread.
I can certainly say I have not seen any such alignment issues from any of the 5 sets worth of fastrack I use to set up temp layouts. Of course tubular is, well, indestructable…nothing a pair of pliers can’t fix.
I will say I had troubles with 2 out of seven MTH engines ( 2 GG-1’s and 5 railking steamers) I purchased back 10 years ago when I gave MTH a chance. At this point I am down to 3 of those engines and maybe 6 cars.
Bottom line is we are the consumers, If we are unhappy with a product, Its a free country ( for now anyway), so we can say what ever we want.
My only question is are the guys that oppose the MTH bashing, pro Lionel bashers? Or are you just against someone else “venting” thier frustration over a manufacturers product?
Oh yea, + 1 for “Mike’s Trash House”
jonadel - That’s just it, Jon, we have spoke ad-nauseum to MTH (including Mr Wolfe and Mr Edleman) at YORK.
I liked the MTH track when it first came out, but even then, you still had to “buff” that center rail to cut down on sparking. I am a firm supporter of their engines (couldn’t operate my grades without speed control 2.0), but I’m seeing more and more layouts switching to the Lionel track (in appearance and reliability and availability).
Guys, it’s simply time to vote with your wallets. No need for monikers. MTH has done a lot for our hobby. They just fell off on this aspect…
I could not make York this year. Fife spoke up for me. Seems they will not recognize they have a problem. OH, forgot to mention, the center rail on the newer Realtrax is thinner than the old. Almost blade like. The older product is great. I think it is cutting cost to stay competitive. When you have switch points that are so thin they look like the edge of a razor. They bend with the slightest pressure. Something is worng.
Well, this just my .02… well more like .015 cents with how poorly the economy is.
From what Ive seen, both companies have had trouble over the last few years. I dont think this is an MTH bashing thread. Its people unhappy with the poduct they paid for. The folks have every right to complain on a public forum. I think it would be more productive then writing a private letter that only they will see. Sqeaky wheel gets the grease. Its not like were attacking a person… its a company. Its like being an athlete. You have to deal with the critics.
Im sure the MTH haters ARE loving this thread, but Im also sure they’d never even buy any MTH products, unlike the people posting their experiences in this thread.
I’m niether a lover or hater of MTH but have to state I had bought real trak about 3 years ago and liked it even the O34 switches I had. on the other hand thou I’ve sold it and have gone gargraves as I like the appearance and the fack like the old O27 I can cut it to size myself and not haqve to go buy different sizes to make strange loops.
I did Have a MTH engine with proto 1 in it bought it off ebay and told nib and when I got it it appeared nib no marks on the wheels at all. never used it as never got my layout going at that point sold it the new onwer said the chip for the sound had bent prongs and looked like it was forced in there but he contacted mth and for $15 plus shipping and handling got a new one. so take that as you wish. I don’t have any mth cars that I use other than for display behinds some other engines on a shelf so not sure about coupler problems now to speak of it I do ahve my 6 PA passenger cars but haven’t really pulled them yet other than on the shelf back and forth a little but no problems yet so far but they will be on my layout either behind my Lionel 671 RR or my 681.
I do prefer lionel but that may be because thats what I grew up with[:-^]
Doesn’t it really boil down to the old adage: you get what you pay for?
If you are willing to pump your disposable income into the Chinese economy too save a few bucks, then you get what you paid for. The quality has a long way to go. Its no coincidence that not a single chinese auto manufacturer has been able to get a single model to pass our crash worthiness standards. Quality. Seems some of our federal regulations are a good thing.
Unfortunately for us, our beloved manufacturers of our favorite pastime have all exported the manufacture of them.
Ross are awesome, but if necessary I look for older US made track and switches.
Email from Buckeye. Tried to install two 042’s. One dead. Exchanged “controller” and switch motor with no avail. Sending it back. That is OK. Now suppose you have been running them for about 6 months and suddenly dead??? Also a pain to pull them out of a layout.
OH BTW: look who voted one star. Angry Hearted Sorry Old Boy!!!
My only problem was with continuity, a couple of the connectors that tie the tabs to the rails had come loose. After my so-called resolder they seem to be workin ok. They came with my 4-6-0 RTR set.