NEW MTH 4-6-0 PROBLEMS OUT OF THE BOX NEED HELP ?

[njalb1]

The engine works fine with the smoke unit off at any speed. When I turn the smoke back on at low to medium speed it wants to stall and the sond and smoke doesn't work correctly. At full speed it acts a little better maybe even normal. This is a Loco sound unit. This is only my second MTH engine. Can anyone help? I'm about ready to just stop buying all trains....
I attached a video that shows what I'm talking about. Click on it to view.
Thanks again for any help!!!! Al

 

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/?action=view&current=M4V06136.flv

 

 

[kblester]

I could not get my MTH 2-8-0 Loco Sound engine to run right on MTH Realtrax, but it worked perfect on Lionel O-31. Sound was just like radio static, and it ran poorly. I contacted MTH Service. NO HELP. What fixed it was taking a brightboy eraser and cleaning off the black coating on the center rail (down to metal), cleaning the rollers, wheels, and outside rails. I also feed power to both outside rails. The engine now has no problems. Hope this helps. If you do call for help please refer to O-31 as "another" type of track so as not to offend as I did.

Best Regards, Ken 

[Buckeye Riveter]

 What fixed it was taking a brightboy eraser and cleaning off the black coating on the center rail (down to metal), cleaning the rollers, wheels, and outside rails. 

Ken's point should be well taken. That black coating seems to cause many problems.  I clean my center rail until it shines.  If I don't, conventional or command both work poorly.  Interestingly, the small amount of Gargraves on my layout gives me no problems and I have left it coated.

[DMUinCT]

I have 10 MTH "G" gauge locomotives that I operate (I collect "O" gauge).  Two of them failed to start or run due to the fan that drives the smoke failing.   I opened it up and oiled / freed it.  Short of that, try a "non-mineral oil based" smoke fluid, petroleum based may work better but it has a Warning to keep it away from children unlike MTH and Lionel fluids.                       . 

[jimhaleyscomet]

I am only familiar with PS2.0 engines, but still I wonder if this unit has a battery?  If so, I would make sure it is fully charged by leaving it on the track in idle, high throttle voltage for a while.

Jim H 

[jimhaleyscomet]

Is it coincidence that it puffs smoke on the the terminal track. Does the "proper" operation happen at random places on the track or always at the same locations?

Jim H 

[njalb1]

Is it coincidence that it puffs smoke on the the terminal track. Does the "proper" operation happen at random places on the track or always at the same locations?

Jim H 

 

Hi Jim!

  It happens randomly at all different spots. I did clean the track and took the tender apart to see if there was a battery.  It had no battery....

   Thanks for your reply!   Al