Hello all
I'm looking for an HO GP35, and have narrowed it down to three choices:
1. Athearn RTR
2. MTH dcc ready
3. MTH with their "PS3" installed.
Questions:
Any reason to prefer one brand over the other (choice 1 & 2)?
I can get the roadname I'm looking for with MTH PS3 for not much more. Are there any problems with the MTH system, or does it work well enough with dcc?
Also, I see the PS3 version comes with the MTH auto-uncouplers. Are these going to work ok with regular Kadee couplers? If that's going to be a problem, I might just go for the "dcc ready" engine instead.
As info, I use the Roco z21 dcc/wifi system, it seems to work with everything I've thrown at it so far without a blip...
I know nothing about MTH, so my hands down choice would be the Athearn.
Maybe some one with more experience with MTH can chime in. I myself would be afraid of the DCC and the sound with MTH, but like I say, I have "0" experience with MTH HO scale.
My grandson has an MTH Rail King "O" scale, and I've not had any problems with that.
Mike.
My You Tube
Kato also made a GP35. Don't know if its in any road name you are looking for though. I would choose Kato over the Athearn or MTH for smooth running...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
mbinsewi I know nothing about MTH, so my hands down choice would be the Athearn. Maybe some one with more experience with MTH can chime in. I myself would be afraid of the DCC and the sound with MTH, but like I say, I have "0" experience with MTH HO scale. My grandson has an MTH Rail King "O" scale, and I've not had any problems with that. Mike.
Kerry
HOmainlineFrom what I've read, MTH has its own proprietary DCC system, which can cause compatibility and operational issues with non-MTH systems. DCC users can provide more details.
That's why I don't have any MTH locos, as this has been discussed in here quite a bit, in previous threads.
Tom, I agree with the Kato, but I was only commenting on what was on his list, but you are right with the smooth running.
Mike,
I know the OP narrowed his choices down to Athearn or MTH. Since I'm not crazy about either manufacturer (not a Bachmann fan either), I thought I'd mention the Kato Geep - in the event that it was overlooked by the OP.
The Proto 2000 would be another good option. However, the OP hasn't specified which particular road name he's desiring. That's most likely the reason for the narrowed field.
Try Athearn, their GP35 has no fancy details and is perfect for someone getting started or creating their own trainset.
I've had no problems with my Athearn locomotives so far.
ATSFGuyTry Athearn,
If you look at the OP's post, he has Athearn at the top of his list.
mbinsewiIf you look at the OP's post, he has Athearn at the top of his list.
Alphabetical order vs preference?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hmmm. I know nothing of the MTH unit, but have several Athearn units that are similar to the GP35 and all are very nice, and good runners. I do have a Kato GP35 which is really, really nice.
However, I suggest going with the Athearn regarding those GP35s currently available.
"the OP hasn't specified which particular road name he's desiring. That's most likely the reason for the narrowed field."
Penn Central and Conrail.
Seems to me that MR magazine gave a fairly complementary review to the recently-released MTH GP38. Apparently some of the conflicts between MTH's "DCS" system and "regular dcc" have been resolved?
The MTH GP35 is also available without DCS and with a standard plug for installation of a dcc decoder.
I don't know about any issues being resolved. Some say that's what MTH's customer service will tell you.
I know there are some on here that run MTH, maybe just hold on a while and see what comes up.
But then again, it sounds like your liking the MTH, so by all means, it's your money, go for it.
If your a member in any other forums, ask around!
Do some digging around and see what you can find out. Google MTH GP35 and see what you get. Follow any of the links that go to different forums, and see what the're saying.
Kato makes Conrail GP35s. Stock numbers 37-025 and 37-033.
Walthers also makes a CR GP35 Part # 920-49167 and Part #920-49168.
I highly recommend Kato over the other brands. You can't go wrong with Kato.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I don't have anything from MTH, so I can't comment on their GP35's running characteristics.
I do have one of the latest run Athearn RTR units. The detailing and overall tooling are very basic, although it does have see-through fans. My example runs quite smoothly.
Rob Spangler
If you want a very high chance of the engine failing buy MTH, they have no quality control, all sorts of wiring issues, motors sold in all their units since 2011+ are known to be unreliable, they have a very high sale of lemon engines "H10, S3/6, K4 latest, Big Boy latest, the list goes on. You may or may not get a new engine as MTH has a policy of refurbishing engines and sending them back to dealers and then they get sold as new to unsuspecting people. The owner of MTH sells items on ebay under the name sell_sa where I know he was selling used engines as new. The head of service has a lying problem, R&D is so lazy their new GS4 that is in the making for HO that is going to have a smoking whistle, well they took a paragon 3 challenger and opened it up to design their smoking whistle, the HO tech they have in MI can't put the tablet down and stop playing games or texting while in the bathroom, oh and he has an issue dropping engines, the first 3 months he worked there he dropped over 5 engines, 1 wasn't a customers, but he still says he never dropped any.
MTH DCC issues have pretty much been resolved, but I would never buy an MTH or recommend them to anyone after working for them.