MTH folks...teach me please...

[Jim Duda]

I really like the PS-2, 0-6-0 B6 switchers...but the Product Locator is ambiguous. I don't know if they are all sold out, or haven't reached dealer stock yet. I'm not particular about road names but I like the sloping back tenders.

Can anyone set me straight on availability?

Thanks!

[wrmcclellan]

Jim,

The MTH locator is only as good as the dealers updating it. You will have to check around a few dealers. I have had good luck with:

www.toytrainsunlimted.com

www.grzyboskitrains.com (latest CTT shows they have the UP and CN)

www.trainland.com

These are sweet little engines and fun for switching. Two of our club members have them.

Regards,
Roy

[Jim Duda]

Thank you, Mr. McClellan - I e-mailed the 3 dealers you suggested and will see what they say. Wish me luck! That little switcher will be just right for my pissAnt table.

Tom - unlike Chiefie, I will use the "pretty smelling" scents - I like your "Air Freshener" response to the Boss if she makes a disparaging comment...(wink)

[wrmcclellan]

Hey Jim you are welcome!

But drop that "Mr" part...

[Jim Duda]

QUOTE: But drop that "Mr" part...

OK...but where I come from, "Mr." indicates respect...

Thanks again!

[wrmcclellan]

Mr. Duda, same from where I come from.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Jim,

Was there any indication in the product locator that MTH themselves had them in stock? If so, you can call you favorite dealer and tell them to order it for you.

This works well. You can get what you want through your favorite dealer.

[jonadel]

RAK402 is right on and I didn't realize that fact untill last fall. I was searching for the MTH F-3's and couldn't find a dealer with them so I called my favorite dealer Hobby Haven and Dave called the factory and they had one left. I had it 4 days later. That's pretty good customer service. I even got the pre order pricing which really pleased me.

Jon

[Jim Duda]

Thanks guys...I went back and looked through all the B6 offerings. Take a peek at
http://mth-railking.com/detail.asp?item=30-1207-1

http://mth-railking.com/detail.asp?item=30-1347-1

Same engine? If so, it certainly begs the question as to the disparity of the different MSRPs: $429.95 vs. $349.95. Is the latter a "pre-order" price and will it jump to the $429.95 after it's shipped? If it holds @ $349.95 then the choice is pretty clear to me...
Anyway, it seems that the price has come down in 2005.

Finally, I'm wondering about what the dealers will do to handle this apparent price drop.

[ChiefEagles]

Jim, most dealers do not charge MSRP. I avhe one in Raleigh that does and I do not know how he stays in business. Most only markup the price over their "invoice". In fact, Mrs. Edna is really close to her inovice price.

[Jim Duda]

Frank - that's my point...most will discount at least 15% off MSRP. That makes the above two price points $365.46 and $297.46. Which would you pay - for the SAME loco?

[spankybird]

Jim and Frank,

MTH has been lowering the price on many of there engines. The C&O Hudson I just received was $400.00 in the 2004 vol 1 and $300.00 in 2004 Vol 2. So everyone who ordered it from the 2004 Vol1 saved an extra $100.00 as the engine did not ship until last month.

Hard to beat a command controled engine for that price.
tom

[wrmcclellan]

Jim,

Be aware that this loco comes with 2 different tenders depending upon the road name.

The ones you were looking at have the slope back and others like the C&NW have a traditional tender (vs the slope back).

Also be aware that this loco has been made for some years. I believe all the ealrier versions have the traditional tender to accommodate the first generation PS2 electronics.

Regards,
Roy

[Jim Duda]

Thanks Roy - this time I appear to be lucky because I prefer the sloped tender. Looks like I'll be waiting for the new batch to arrive. I also note that some features state "synchronized puffing" while other simply say "protosmoker". I'm hoping the new ones are still synchronized...Spanky thinks they will be - hope he's correct.