The MTH locos also run on plain DC. They need way more than the standard 12 volts to reach top speed though - and that's not like at 12 volts it runs a realistic top speed and the 'true' top speed is turbo speed. Check any of the recent reviews. You can;t control any of the sounds in DC, like you can with QSI/Blueline decoders - you just get the basic chuffs or motor sound.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
First, some history:
MTH is still largely an O-gauge company. Their products are pretty well respected there, and they have quite a line of models. They have only recently moved into HO, and have a small number of models which generally get good reviews. All of their HO stuff is at the top end of the price scale relative to other manufacturers.
Almost all HO equipment is designed to run either on DC or on DCC. DC is the old standard - power from a direct current supply, direction determined by polarity, and speed determined by track voltage. DCC is Digital Command Control. It is an NMRA standard. All DCC control systems will work with all DCC locomotives, regardless of manufacturers.
MTH has chosen to go with its own proprietary control system, DCS. You can not run a DCC engine on a DCS system, so, if you have a DCS system, you must buy your engines from MTH. The newer DCS engines have a "dual-mode" decoder, which will respond to either DCS or DCC. DCS engines will run on DC, with some limitations. (Again, thanks for the clarification, Randy.) There are features of the DCS engines which can NOT be activated with DCC.
Now, back to the present day. MTH is introducing a number of new engines for HO every few months. They are all DCS-equipped. Unlike some other manufacturers, they don't offer a DC option.
To their great credit, they have announced the "Little Joe" or EF-4 electric locomotive. Nobody else makes these at the present time, so I was impressed that they would actually do this, since most of their engines have been popular locomotive models produced in abundance by other companies. (Wikipedia's article on the Little Joe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Joe_(electric_locomotive) ). If I ran catenary on my layout, I would seriously consider one of these for myself. At the same time, I would rather buy one from Walthers or Atlas if they were available.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL While I largely agree with David and Rich, I will say this, if you use DCC you may well be very happy with an MTH product. If you run on DC you will be very unhappy. Sheldon
While I largely agree with David and Rich, I will say this, if you use DCC you may well be very happy with an MTH product. If you run on DC you will be very unhappy.
Sheldon
Not too likely, MTH locos with DCC are about as limited as Broadway Limited sound locos are on DC. To fully utilize the features of the proprietary DCS decoder you need the proprietary MTH DCS control system. Supported and available to NO ONE ELSE in the industry.
At least there's NMRA standards for DCC and DC control.
davidmbedardDavid B
David B
Yes, David. I agree. Just like MRC decoders.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
What do you think about MTH HO products? Half of my friends are very happy, but the other half, no.