I just bought an MTH HO-scale ES44AC in CP colours (since MTH is the only one doing the CP 8900/9300 models with the high numberboards, rear ditch lights, and door on the engineer's side). Overall, it's a nice model... Works well on my MRC DCC system
...However, I have two major questions because of features that irk me.
The first is the volume. How in the name of everything railroad do you turn down the sound? It's painfully loud, and adjusting the volume knob in the radiator section does not make any discernable difference. The user's guide does not detail any other method to adjust the volume either
Second, how do you turn OFF the alternating ditch lights? Canadian railways are not equipped with this feature, and until I can get this feature turned off, the unit is relegated to non-headend use. A shame, because it's such a good puller.
Any help would be appreciated. MTH sure isn't any help (5 attempts to contact them and not a single call or email returned).
Thanks!
If the volume switch is not operating, it may be broken. Someone in my club bought a new MTH locomotive and turned used too much force making an adjustment and broke the adjustment screw. Yours may have come from the factory that way. The dealer you bought it from should have a DCS system, take it back to the dealer and see if you can adjust the volume electronically.
I have little experience with Protosound 3.0 due to switching to HO scale 3 years ago. I will not buy MTH products in HO scale.
Might be out of luck with the ditch lights. Depending on how they are wired internally, you might be able to swap a wire around so they both blink together, but any rewiring will void the warranty.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.