Recently I had a chance to test several MTH 3 rail AC USA models on my baby NOCH C-track layout.
Models included GP35, SD70, ALCO PA, GG1, F 7, GS 4, Challenger and Big Boy.
The result (aside from having lots of fun) is overwhelmingly positive: models have very solid build, great detailing, smooth running and an outstanding sound, one of the best I've heard from HO models.

I published quick REVIEW, hope you will find it informative.


Michael

Edited by user 21 June 2014 16:29:00(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I have been using MTH locos with a CS2 and they are working well. I have had a little bit of a struggle getting the addresses changed to a long DCC address (I use the cab # as the address). I may have finally come up with a method that works more easily, I'll know whenever I get another MTH loco. I really like them and I do like the price I have been paying, less than the price listed in the links Michael gave. However, I have had two problems with two Challengers. One had the smoke box DOA on arrival. And another Challenger just stopped dead, shorting the CS2. The smoke box was replaced and is working fine. The "shorted" Challenger is still in for repair.

Robert

How about this one??

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/80-2335-5

Due out in Aug 2014 ...

Can anybody provide us the catalog of this company?

Not trying to berate marklin, but it must be nice sending it back locally in the US to a proper warranty department... I miss that convenience I had from when I was running Lionel.

June 21 UPDATE

I recognize that what I am about to convey is a bit of marketing, however this information would also benefit interested members of the Forum.
To boost interest and increase awareness of these fine MTH 3 Rail AC models, you are now offered substantial price reduction on SD70, GG1, Challenger and GS4.
This is one off, very rare event. MTH 3 Rail AC Models
Michael

They are all very nice.I am interested for the diesels,i have 37491,29490,37493 GG1 from Marklin and the steamers can not run to my layout.I am not sure yet i can run those perfect machines with my 6021 and i have to change couplers and wheels too and i do not know if it is possible.Unfortutatelly i cannot find these perfect machines in Greece.The yellow Santa Fe F7 is great tempting.

The only thing you have to do before placing a MTH 3-rail H0 engine on a 3-rail Marklin H0 layout with Marklin or Marklin compatible controller is to check the DCC/DCS switch. It has to be in the DCC position. If it is in the DCS (MTH control system) position there will be a short when you place it on the (programming) track. If your controller don’t switch the power off the decoder might be burned. This is probably what happened to a member of this forum and he was not happy. In those days the manuals were not ready, but now I think it is properly described (you can download them). However, there is still confusing sales talk in the MTH catalog about the decoder automatically sensing the source and protocol. This might be true for their standard decoders, but NOT for the 3E+ for 3-rail when it comes to DCS versus non DCS.
The engines comes with wheels for Marklin 3-rail so they are OK and the couplers are “Marklin style” in MEM pockets so they are OK too. My GP-35s have problems with the curved (R1) C-track turnouts but that is all - and they didn’t have to go there.
MTH states that the 3E+ decoder understands Marklin/Motorola as well. In that case the 6021 would work just fine – with a limited number of functions. I don’t have a 6021 so I can’t verify this. I am currently rebuilding my layout so I don’t have access to my stuff right now. Maybe someone else could try to introduce an MTH engine as “Motorola” to a CS2 and check if I can run as such.
About functions: the CS2 can access the first 16 functions but a program, like Train Controller, can access all of them thru the CS2.
Bjorn

A popularity poll about some AC MTH locs was conducted a couple of years ago...

https://www.marklin-user...oco-would-you-order.aspx