How Do MTH HO DC Locos Stack Up (Your Opinion)

[Autonerd]

My VERY LIMITED experience involves running a pair of MTH F-units (an A-B coupled to what I believe is an Athearn Genesis F3) on our club layout. With a fairly heavy brass passenger train in tow, they seemed to do OK, though the sound would sometimes shut off and the only way to get it on again was to stop the train and pound on the F3 button a couple-few times (much to the chagrin of the passengers and a couple of eastbound freights waiting on sidings for me to pass. Our dispatcher initiated a rule change, from "Passenger trains have priority" to "Every passenger train but Aaron's has priority"). The guy who owns the units seems to like 'em plenty, and a club member with more MTH experience cursed them during one entire run. (For the record, he was not running one of the aggrieved freights.)

[peahrens]

Thanks, Larry.  On the diesels I have been removing all ciruit boards and hard wiring everything, usually with the Select 6Aux, which does not take up much room.  I presume that is what I would also do with an MTH loco.

[ggnlars]

Understand, units that come in DC (or DCC ready) and those that are DCC with or without sound of the same manufacturer and model type have the same model DC motor.  

They will have electronics to control the lights, start voltage and sound program (if one is installed).  My test experience with the MTH engines without a decoder is good.  They will compete with most any motor that  is available. 

These units are likely DCC ready. That gives you the option of using their pre decoder electronics or hard wiring in the ESU decoder. You can try the plug and play option first and see how it does for you.  I find the extra electronics is a big drain on the performance.  But that is up to you.  

[BroadwayLion]

LION has NEVER tried to stack up the locomotives of him. That is just looking for a disaster.

LION did buy the MTH subway cars in DC. Sufice it to say he gutted the power car of its motherboard and hardwired the motor to the wheels. Him also urns a train line through the entire consist. Nothing like 48 wheel pickup.

LION removed the board so that the speed would mnatch that of the repowered Life-Like Subway cars that him also runs. Speed must reasonibly match since all trains run automatically without additional speed controls.

ROAR

[peahrens]

I have an HO DCC layout and have mostly DC diesel locos that I have converted to DCC sound, typically with LokSound Select decoders.  I enjoy converting the locos, including LED lighting, custom enclosures for multiple micro speakers (milling the frame where needed).  The locos vary by type and brand...some Genesis, P1K/P2K, Kato, Intermountain.

I noticed some DC MTH UP diesels are available.  I'll have to look again regarding steam.  I had ignored them initially as I'm not interested in dealing with their unique decoders (let's not get into that here), even if they can work with DCC, as I want to primmarily use the LokSounds.  Thus, I'm interested in your opinions on their diesels detail, mechanism, etc. as I might have some additional options from MTH that I had overlooked.

Thanks in advance for any insight offerred.