I'm having a hard time making a choice.. May be you guys know a bit to help me out on this.
The choise is a 0-8-0 MTH railking with proto 1 or 2-8-0 MTH railking with proto 2.
The proto 1 has the advantage that I can operate all functions completely, thus use the electrocouplers, freightsounds etc, but the chocho is not synchronised and it doesn't have speedcontrol.
The proto 2 has both speedcontrol and synchronised chocho, but I can't use the electrocouplers and the chocho is 2 per revolution (as far as I can learn about it via internet).
Besides, I already have an 2-8-0 railking and therefore the 0-8-0 looks more attractive. So, is protosound 2 that much better that I should think about it seriously and prefer it over the proto 1 unit, or is the quality of sound about the same and should I go for the extra things like operating couplers etc.
I do have 2 proto 1 engines and they are well enough for me, but those are diesels. I don't know anything about the steamers and their sounds.. I can emagine that no synchronisation at all is more frustrating then 2 pufs per rev, but do you notice it or is the proto 1 unit sort of equal to the revs of the wheels? Does a proto1 have a puffing smokeunit like the proto2?
Thanks for helping with this enourmous problem I have..
Daan, good to hear from you. The main thing it comes down to is, what are your plans for this engine? If you are going to be doing a good bit of switching, I would go with the P1 as the electrocouplers would be very handy. If not, you may like the P2 engine for the mainline running. I say this without having run any of my MTH engines as of yet, so I am just going by your discription.
dennis
TCA#09-63805
I suggest that the answer should follow the needs of your railroad. If you have a sizable yard or City switching area that needs a dedicated locomotive, then the 0-8-0 is your choice. If you run lots of way freights, or want the opiton of double-head Consolidations for those heavy drag freights, then add the second 2-8-0. Those have often been used in switching assignments, so they are pretty flexible.
We don't select whether to buy a sedan or a mini-van based upon the sound system, and making locomotive choices on "options" would be similar. Put yourself behind the desk of your Railroad executive and pick the one that best suits the needs of the line.
This not only adds to more realistic operation for your line, I have also found that it is a useful philosophy in avoiding costly purchases that end up spending most of the time in the box because they just don't look "right" on the layout.
Bill
Personally, I would go for the 0-8-0 just to have a different type of engine. I like variety. But I have a small layout also and would not be double-heading as someone else mentioned.
daan wrote: The proto 2 has both speedcontrol and synchronised chocho, but I can't use the electrocouplers and the chocho is 2 per revolution (as far as I can learn about it via internet).
Why can't you operate the electrocouplers? I have a variety of PS2 engines and have operated the electrocouplers on all of them using the PS2 features as well as in conventional mode. I also just check one of the MTH manuals for the 2-8-0 that's online and it goes through the steps for this as well. Is there something I'm missing? Or could it be that not ALL PS2 engines have this feature?
The premier Line has the electrocouplers but not sure if the Railking Line has them as the Railking is the lower of the line MTH. If you have a Z1000 or Z4000 you should be able to access the electrocoupler feature with transformer itself, it may take a few tries, don't need DCS.
Lee F.
Is the price a factor?
Is the ProtoSounds 1 0-8-0 Steam Locomotive on sale at a clearance price?
Andrew
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
Thanks guys,
I didn't know that protosound 2 electrocouplers worked in conventional mode. I have an mth z750 running my layout, so that's not a problem. I guess I would go and search for a protosound 2 engine. In the mean time the 0-8-0 is sold, but the soundunit and the lack of synchronisation left me from buying it.
I'm now having a bit more patience and search for a type of locomotive I don't already have with protosound 2. I do use the electrocouplers a lot, but i also want the sound to sort of match the tact of the wheels, since there will be a lot of slow running..
The low battery problem I heard of, but never experienced it. It's also said to be only on a few locomotives from the first productionmonths of proto 1, since both my batteries where broke, but none of them scrambled. Just a new battery and off they go.
I do post scarcely, but at the moment I'm building a lot on my railroad. The website from the CTT has some problems with connecting, so placing an answer takes some luck and effort.
I don't mind, I still read a long and enjoy the forum.. Thanks for the answers!
Daan.
The speed control alone would sell me on the Proto 2. They are usually factory delivered at least the older ones with 2 chuffs. The smoke is in time with the chuffing. I prefer 4 chuffs but 2 is acceptable especially in a smaller drivered loco. . The electrocoupler will function conventionally. Just a little more work with timing the whistle and bell buttons. If the battery goes dead it's not an issue.
The Proto 1 features a fan driven smoke unit. After a few minutes on a small layout or doing switching moves in one area it will smoke you out of the room as it runs even while the engine is idle. Not sure about the electrocouplers but if it does feature them. You can probably only access one or the other. At least thats how it was with the one Proto 1 diesel I owned. A slide switch selects which one.
On my proto 1 engines there is also a slide switch for the couplers, but I soldered both wires to 1 contact, so both fire when I activate the couplers. It still works, so I guess it doesn't do any harm.
Sounds like the proto 2 has the best of both worlds..
Just a small update.. The chairman of my railroad empire decided it would be neat to have at least 2 nice steamers for the mainline. Not too big and not too small because there are some sharp bends to negociate.
Because my chairman is a dutchman, he thinks 426 times before he spends a penny and even then it has to be a bargain.. (he knows there will be 20% salestax, a postal fee of 5% and a huge amount of money for shipping)
So, a smaller mainline engine, not too expensive, but with e-coupler and sound.. Won a Hudson railking with protosound 1, new in the box from a dealer who had it since 2003 on the shelf and didn't sell it. It will need a new battery, but for $150 bucks I guess it's not a bad deal.
With this one added to the daily setup I can now make a choice between diesel or steam trains, both type's are in healthy amounts on the shelves, both diesel and steam have sounds to listen to..
Guess now the chairman needs to be convinced of the need for decent rolling stock.. With 12 locomotives it's kind of idiotic to only have about 5 or 6 decent freightcars..
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month