What is going on with MTH?

[Anonymous]

Clinchfield Fan:

I bought a brand new Lionel 2-8-0 Consolidation in LIRR livery with TMCC & Odyssey this summer, and it would not run properly in conventional mode. I couldn't get the thing to go into neutral, and it seemed that the Odyssey was set to make the locomotive go at a crawl. Having it go that slow <b>WAS<b> impressive, but I really wanted to run the locomotive a little faster.

I had to return the locomotive to where I purchased it while on vacation, The Strasburg Train Shop in Pennsylvania. I've got a locomotive that runs fine now and I'm happy. While their service was impeccable and in every way first rate, I still got a defective unit. This defective locomotive isn't the train shop's fault; it's Lionel's. Their quality control should be better than this.

I'll never buy another locomotive again without having the train shop folks run it on their layout first.

Tony

[Anonymous]

Clinchfield Fan:

I bought a brand new Lionel 2-8-0 Consolidation in LIRR livery with TMCC & Odyssey this summer, and it would not run properly in conventional mode. I couldn't get the thing to go into neutral, and it seemed that the Odyssey was set to make the locomotive go at a crawl. Having it go that slow <b>WAS<b> impressive, but I really wanted to run the locomotive a little faster.

I had to return the locomotive to where I purchased it while on vacation, The Strasburg Train Shop in Pennsylvania. I've got a locomotive that runs fine now and I'm happy. While their service was impeccable and in every way first rate, I still got a defective unit. This defective locomotive isn't the train shop's fault; it's Lionel's. Their quality control should be better than this.

I'll never buy another locomotive again without having the train shop folks run it on their layout first.

Tony

[clinchfieldfan]

Vitabile,
I had the same experience with a lionmaster N & W Class A. It was a nightmare to run in conventional mode. If I changed directions the loco would reset to the odyssey speed control and it would take an act of congress to clear it.

Since I installed the DCS system the engine runs PERFECTLY! My PS2 engines are even more inmpressive since I went digital.

Your advice on having the train shop run your purchases are right on, I buy my motive power from the Railyard Hobby shop in Roanoke Virginia and they are more than happy to inspect, test run, and lube up my purchase.

Those reasons alone are enough for me to avoid mail-order engine purchases.

Be safe,

Joe

[clinchfieldfan]

Vitabile,
I had the same experience with a lionmaster N & W Class A. It was a nightmare to run in conventional mode. If I changed directions the loco would reset to the odyssey speed control and it would take an act of congress to clear it.

Since I installed the DCS system the engine runs PERFECTLY! My PS2 engines are even more inmpressive since I went digital.

Your advice on having the train shop run your purchases are right on, I buy my motive power from the Railyard Hobby shop in Roanoke Virginia and they are more than happy to inspect, test run, and lube up my purchase.

Those reasons alone are enough for me to avoid mail-order engine purchases.

Be safe,

Joe

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm rather new to the hobby, (well slowly returning to the hobby). I stumbled across this thread while looking for information on MTH loco-sound and thought I would post my experience with the one MTH loco I purchased so far. I recently purchased the RK version of the UP 8500 HP turbine. I was completely unfamiliar with the PS1 dead battery/fried sound chip issue. Of course, when I got the turbine home and placed it on the track, I became *intimately* familiar with the battery issue [:(] . After looking online I wondered if I was going to have to send in the loco, wondered how many months it would be before I got it back, wondered if it was going to be 100-150 bucks to have a sound board replaced, etc. etc. I sent off an email to MTH fully expecting to not hear anything back.

Much to my pleasant surprise, I received an e-mail back from them the *following morning*. The email apologized for my problem, and told me that if I forwarded on my home address, they would send me a replacement chip for the unit at no charge, and if I felt comfortable replacing it at home, that I could do it myself or take it in to a service center to have them do it. I felt comfortable enough, and within a week I had my new chip installed and have been enjoying the locomotive ever since. I also just purchased a loco sound equipped MTH RK Y6b, I can only hope that the engine runs as well as my first one. When I receive it, I'll post to this thread again. BTW, its nice to see so many people interested in and passionate about 3 rail :-).

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm rather new to the hobby, (well slowly returning to the hobby). I stumbled across this thread while looking for information on MTH loco-sound and thought I would post my experience with the one MTH loco I purchased so far. I recently purchased the RK version of the UP 8500 HP turbine. I was completely unfamiliar with the PS1 dead battery/fried sound chip issue. Of course, when I got the turbine home and placed it on the track, I became *intimately* familiar with the battery issue [:(] . After looking online I wondered if I was going to have to send in the loco, wondered how many months it would be before I got it back, wondered if it was going to be 100-150 bucks to have a sound board replaced, etc. etc. I sent off an email to MTH fully expecting to not hear anything back.

Much to my pleasant surprise, I received an e-mail back from them the *following morning*. The email apologized for my problem, and told me that if I forwarded on my home address, they would send me a replacement chip for the unit at no charge, and if I felt comfortable replacing it at home, that I could do it myself or take it in to a service center to have them do it. I felt comfortable enough, and within a week I had my new chip installed and have been enjoying the locomotive ever since. I also just purchased a loco sound equipped MTH RK Y6b, I can only hope that the engine runs as well as my first one. When I receive it, I'll post to this thread again. BTW, its nice to see so many people interested in and passionate about 3 rail :-).

[Anonymous]

Nothing. MTH makes some of the most innovative products in "O" gauge. I want to get those new Low-V subway trains VERY MUCH. , you won't see Lionel come out with something like that. Mike isn't afraid to lead in the marketplace. As for the lawsuit, Justice will prevail in that matter. Likewise, I'm sure that the DCS/DCC controversy will smooth itself out. MTH, Lionel and K-Line are all vibrant manufacturers who serve different parts of the three rail market and they will continue to be so.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. MTH makes some of the most innovative products in "O" gauge. I want to get those new Low-V subway trains VERY MUCH. , you won't see Lionel come out with something like that. Mike isn't afraid to lead in the marketplace. As for the lawsuit, Justice will prevail in that matter. Likewise, I'm sure that the DCS/DCC controversy will smooth itself out. MTH, Lionel and K-Line are all vibrant manufacturers who serve different parts of the three rail market and they will continue to be so.

[AlanRail]

We need both MTH and Lionel to be making product; as well as the others.
Not to get started on the lawsuit BUT MTH would make a whole lot of people happy and friendly toward them if they would consider a realistic postion to settlement.

The award is not realistic or relavant to the propective loss sales of a half a dozen engines; and if Lionel appeals all the way to the supreme court or goes into bankruptcy; MTH will get nothing but the bonded amount


Alan

[AlanRail]

We need both MTH and Lionel to be making product; as well as the others.
Not to get started on the lawsuit BUT MTH would make a whole lot of people happy and friendly toward them if they would consider a realistic postion to settlement.

The award is not realistic or relavant to the propective loss sales of a half a dozen engines; and if Lionel appeals all the way to the supreme court or goes into bankruptcy; MTH will get nothing but the bonded amount


Alan

[Anonymous]

". . . and if Lionel appeals all the way to the supreme court or goes into bankruptcy; MTH will get nothing but the bonded amount"
-----------------------------

Well, you can certainly rule out your first option! The Supreme Court does not hear civil litigation matters. It deals with Constitutional issues only. [:)]

In regard to option two: MTH would still "win" even if they didn't collect a tangible monetary reward.

That leaves two options:

1. On Oct. 19, the trial judge overturns the jury verdict (not likely), or siginifcantly reduces the amount awarded by the jury (somewhat possible).

2. Lionel files an appeal, and sometime during the appeal process reaches a settlement with MTH. It's either that or go through what would likely be several more years of legal wrangling while the appeal moves forward.

[Anonymous]

". . . and if Lionel appeals all the way to the supreme court or goes into bankruptcy; MTH will get nothing but the bonded amount"
-----------------------------

Well, you can certainly rule out your first option! The Supreme Court does not hear civil litigation matters. It deals with Constitutional issues only. [:)]

In regard to option two: MTH would still "win" even if they didn't collect a tangible monetary reward.

That leaves two options:

1. On Oct. 19, the trial judge overturns the jury verdict (not likely), or siginifcantly reduces the amount awarded by the jury (somewhat possible).

2. Lionel files an appeal, and sometime during the appeal process reaches a settlement with MTH. It's either that or go through what would likely be several more years of legal wrangling while the appeal moves forward.

[AlanRail]

Alan Miller

The Supreme Court can hear ANY issue it wants to from ANY court in the land if the issue is appealed to them; and the review panel agrees to hear the matter.

I don't know what law books you are reading from but they are not from this country. Once the matter is appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, it next goes to the Federal SC.

Alan

[AlanRail]

Alan Miller

The Supreme Court can hear ANY issue it wants to from ANY court in the land if the issue is appealed to them; and the review panel agrees to hear the matter.

I don't know what law books you are reading from but they are not from this country. Once the matter is appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, it next goes to the Federal SC.

Alan